COOKING COUPLE
Sunstar Weekend Feature - December 13, 2008
Cooking and preparing food requires more than training, education, and experience. To quote American critic Harriet van Horne, "cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all". With this, two loving gourmands, Mark and Therese Habana, would have to agree as they recently launched their new baby, Kusina Habana from their kitchen to yours.
Opening early this year, Kusina Habana is a home-based catering business managed and owned by the brilliant couple, Mark Habana and Therese Crisostomo-Habana, both graduates (with honors) of the University of the Philippines (UP). Mark, 32, finished Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering while Therese, 31, took up Bachelors in Business Management. After pursuing higher studies abroad (Therese finished MS Urban Planning from the University of Hong Kong. Mark completed his MS Petroleum Engineering at Stanford University), they tied the knot on December 2003. After the wedding festivities the couple immediately flew to the US. They've lived in three different states and, now, have a 3-year old son, Akio. During the couples stay in the US in 2004, Therese studied baking and pastry in San Diego, California and thats when she rediscovered her love for cooking. Soon, Mark and Therese decided to go back home and start a catering business.
Why catering? "Filipinos love to eat," said Mark. Therese added, "I've always loved to host and organize events. I learned how to cook by 12 years old because I was the eldest in the family. In the US, I mostly take care of the desserts and cakes during get-togethers which are mostly potluck.
Moreover, the couple wants to give back to their homeland, provide jobs, and build their legacy. They wish to be in the business for the long haul. "We want to be your family's tradition," declared Therese.
Remembering their first client's event, the Habanas shared, "Oh, we laugh whenever we remember that. We were so excited, scared, and exhausted. We didn't sleep a wink at all just to prepare. There's an adrenalin rush in preparing for an event or a banquet. When people love your food and service, it's priceless!"
Kusina Habana personalizes your parties and events. They discuss with you the theme or concept of the event. They also take note of your profile as the event host and that of your would-be guests.
"Different strokes for different folks they say. Some clients want it simple, while others are adventurous," Mark said.
Kusina Habana further specializes in food delivery, corporate lunch boxes, and party packages which start at PhP185 per head. Their full service catering that includes buffet service, tables and chairs, waiting staff, and decors starts at PhP235 per head.
The couple confesses that it's been challenging to win the confidence of new customers especially with tough competition and soaring prices of ingredients.
We're new; we're younger, and more artistic. We're not just your caterer but your event organizer, as well. We always have banquet managers to make sure your party goes smoothly. We strive to improve and perpetually learn something new and exciting for our clients," Therese said.
For more information on Kusina Habana, check out their website at http://kusinahabana.blogspot.com and experience what one expert on fine food has said, "the discovery of a new dish does more for the happiness of humanity than the discovery of a new star".
