Going back to our roots with meals made simple
With cuisine as diverse as its 7,107 islands, the Philippines is a homage to a plethora of recipes, with cooking styles that vary depending on the region and produce that are prominent in the area. Filipinos love to bond over food, and in fact, this is very evident with the growing number of restaurants and food brands present in the country. They love to satisfy their hunger with good food that could satiate one’s appetite and will showcase their rich culture. This is the very goal of Simple Roots — to bring home the same dining experience from different parts of the archipelago to the comfort of one’s home where they could explore the authenticity and uniqueness of each recipe.
From a simple vision of bringing farm fresh ingredients and healthy meals at every table inside every Filipino household to empowering our local farmers, Simple Roots aims to let its consumers enjoy simply-curated Filipino recipes in their kitchen. With meal kits that come with a step-by-step cooking guide inside, they can explore and cook from scratch, allowing them to bond with their loved ones over cooking that is indeed an adventure best shared. Afterall, the best meals in life are from those made with love.
Digging through the Roots
The idea of Simple Roots sprouted when the founders themselves, two friends who have the passion for local ingredients and recipes, have the same struggles with trying to make healthier lifestyle choices. Together, they thought of creating Simple Roots as a way of cooking better, easier, and healthier for the family.
“Seeing the struggle of going out and braving the Manila traffic, waiting in long grocery lines, and buying large amounts of items that might never be used again, we thought that there has to be a way to learn how to cook better and change the lives of many,” shares Mark Co, who is a web developer and frustrated home cook. “We sought to find a simpler and better way to make meals at home; and so we came up with a creative solution in the form of Simple Roots.”
The brand’s concept is as simple and straightforward: give Filipino dishes a modern, healthier twist that is adaptive to the 21st century with plant-based options. It offers not just locally-made recipes but also an experience to discover Filipino meals and underrated local ingredients while developing healthy eating habits. Through the brand, they wanted to let their Flipino roots run deep through the food that they eat, the crafts they choose, and the lives they move.
Colene Tan, a professionally trained chef who has traveled the Philippines in search of the country’s rich food heritage and locally available ingredients, wanted to share that knowledge and keep the culture alive. She has thought of updating these recipes and making them readily-available from the farm to your fridge.
“On top of our mind is the mission to provide tasty and convenient ways to cook up a meal with products that are healthy and sustainable. Through these meal kits, we wanted to show how at our very core, we just want to go back to our roots and cook simply with recipes that are farm fresh, sustainably sourced, and fairly traded,” says Colene.
Her advocacy in promoting local heritage cuisine came about when she was still studying culinary at Enderun Colleges. She got deeply interested in the local culinary scene. “We wanted to share what more our country has to offer and give people a chance to experience culinary adventures at the comfort of their own kitchen.”
When asked about their plans to expand their cuisine offerings, Colene says that their core is anchored in promoting the Filipino cuisine and they will stick with it. “Our vision is to be the leading marketplace where people can learn, enjoy, and be curious about Philippine cuisine by providing them a better, tastier, easier, and sustainable system,” she shares. Moreover, they plan to expand to various regions from the mountains of Cordillera to the Islamic cuisine of Mindanao, all while giving them a modern healthy twist.
From Farm to Fridge: Meals that Matter
With the pandemic still on-going, the new normal transcends across Filipinos’ dining experience. Gone are the days wherein one can freely enjoy meals outside of home over big groups and close companionship. There’s all that bare minimum protocols that we have to follow; and with the Filipinos’ continuous quest for food, there’s quite a challenge with breaking the norm of dining. Good thing, Filipinos can now enjoy the very same food experience at the comfort of their home. This is through meals made simple by Simple Roots.
Working closely with Filipino farmers all the way from Cordillera to Batangas, Simple Roots sources out only the freshest ingredients at the fairest prices. “Each of our chef-made recipes have their own stories to tell. From where they have started to how they have evolved in the modern 21st century. We learned all that by knowing how our farming processes and gaining a better understanding of where our food comes from,” shares Tan. “This is what makes each recipe special. It carries the beauty of knowing its history, further helping cultivate our rich culture, and promote sustainable eating lifestyle,” Tan adds.
According to Simple Roots, this is also their way to uplift and nurture the Filipino spirit with food through the meal kits that they curate; and at the same time help empower our local farmers and boost the agricultural economy especially these trying times.
“We try our best to source out ingredients that are as local as possible which has led us to different farms and cooperatives. It’s quite a challenge to find good quality ingredients so we are always on the lookout for new and potential partnerships,” she admits.
Meals Made Simple, Hassle-free Delivery
Simple Roots offers a variety of healthy meal packs with a twist to modern Filipino cuisine. From gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan-friendly, up to paleo and keto diet meals — simple and straightforward recipes will be delivered right to your doorstep. Tan shares how their delivery system makes it easy for the homebodies to cook and plan their meals ahead. “One of our core beliefs is that cooking is an act of love and meals are better when shared. That’s why with our meal kits, you no longer need to risk exposure and go outside to the groceries. No need to scour the internet for various recipes because you will have everything that you need delivered to you ready-to-cook. All you have to do is choose your meal kits, with portion sizes that are good for 2-3 or 4-5 servings; unpack the magic and discover the wonders of Philippine cooking from the farm to your fridge. Put on your aprons and start cooking together with your family at the comfort of your own home.”
Aside from the convenience this brings, Simple Roots pre-packed meal kits are the best fit should you transition to a healthier lifestyle. They use only natural ingredients and offer you healthy alternatives which would ease your worries on counting calories. You’re also guaranteed of farm fresh and quality raw ingredients as each meal kit comes inside an insulated box.
To order, simply add to cart your preferred recipe meal kits at their website and wait for it to be delivered from Wednesdays to Sundays. They also offer FREE delivery service to first-time users with at least 2 orders and for orders ₱1,500 and up. Currently, Simple Roots caters door-to-door delivery within Metro Manila including Quezon City, Marikina, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Caloocan, Pateros, Makati, Manila, Pasay, and Taguig areas. Deliveries to Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Muntinlupa will also soon be available.
For more details and updates from the brand, you may visit the following:
Website: www.simpleroots.ph
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplerootsph
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplerootsph
ADVT.
