At-home summer culinary exploration continues with Chef Him Uy de Baron

Setting aside Tiktok hacks, the trends, and the business that is attached to it, food has been essential in every Filipino household for its binding effects. It keeps us sane during this time of fear. Sending home cooking to someone is the best way to remind them of your love while we spend our days apart.

For a nation where food is deeply connected with familial tradition, getting creative in the kitchen is far beyond just procrastination, it is creating something that holds communal love. Rustan's understands Filipinos' special bonds that are made through good food. That is why the retail giant is launching a virtual culinary event where everyone is welcome to join and cook.

This year, the luxury department store collaborates with Chef Him Uy de Baron, resident restaurant consultant of Rustan's East Café, to help elevate everyone's summer dining experience in the convenience and safety of your own homes. Embrace the sunny season and discover delicious, memorable recipes through Zoom-instructed sessions with "HIMpossible Recipes" class which will run until the end of this year.

"'Himpossible Recipes' is a proud partner of Rustan's in bringing kitchen-tested family-approved recipes to as many homes as we could," Chef Him says. "We have worked with Rustan's Summer on Call to provide an even better service of making the home cook's life easier. Rustan's will take care of the participants' hardware, whether these are electric appliances that will make cooking a lot more convenient or dinnerware to showcase the hard work they put in and present the food well."

Throughout the year, home cooks will learn special dishes highlighting each month's theme:

• May: Mother’s Day and Stay Fit
• June: Father’s Day and Filipino (Independence Day)
• July: American (4th of July) and French (Bastille Day)
• August: Organic/Sustainable
• September: Grandparents Day
• October: Oktoberfest
• November: Thanksgiving
• December: Holiday

Each class will have a unique theme that will require specific kitchen tools and equipment that can be found at Rustan’s. The recipes of dishes and an e-catalog of cooking tools and equipment will be sent to the participants prior to each session. Classes and its corresponding equipment can be ordered through Rustan’s Summer on Call program, which allows one-on-one service with the store's personal shoppers through call or messaging apps.

All the ingredients for each session will be sourced, portioned, and delivered right to your doorstep. Another plus, the store will also give out special prizes to students during a Q&A portion of select "Himpossible Recipes" classes.

Interested to join a class? Simply send a message to the HIMpossible Recipes Facebook or Instagram pages with the following details: name, preferred class, delivery address, and contact number.

Happy cooking!