Living the dream at home, with some help from Martha

From the kitchen to the dining area, Chef Rhea Rizzo gladly allows the Martha Stewart collection to 'invade' Mrs. Saldo's

- PHILIP CU UNJIENG

Chef Rhea Balagot-Rizzo was thrilled to be tapped by SM Home at the SM Store, to be part of a campaign to launch the Martha Stewart Collection of kitchen and dining products; and she recalled how much she had enjoyed watching the “Martha” documentary that was shown on Netflix just last October.

Chef Rhea is the woman behind Mrs. Saldo’s, the dining and garden haven located in Silang, Cavite. For some years now, Mrs. Saldo’s has been the best-kept secret of discriminating foodies, and for those searching for top quality, culinary adventures outside of Metro Manila.

“I was super grateful and flattered, especially for being a woman chef chosen for this collaboration,” Chef Rhea said. “When I watched the ‘Martha’ documentary, it resonated with me; how determined she was with her vision, even in the midst of the personal problems she was facing then. And how she would bounce back after being written off. For me, that kind of drive and persistence is admirable, something to apply to in one own’s life journey.”

Several observers of Martha Stewart’s storied career refer to her as the first genuine multimedia influencer. From TV personality to retail business woman, and writer about home and hospitality; from publishing and broadcasting to merchandising and e-commerce, Martha and her Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia cast a long shadow over lifestyle, and how it has evolved over the last 40 years.

In the course of our visit to Mrs. Saldo’s, we engaged in a lively conversation with Chef Rhea that touched on food, kitchenware, tools, entertaining at home, and the role SM Home can play in all that, as much as Chef Rhea’s dream projects and plans.