A taste of homegrown excellence

Chef Rolando and Chef Jac Laudico champion Filipino flavors with a twist through the Martha Stewart Collection from SM Home at SM Store

- By REY ROBES ILAGAN Photography by RENJIE TOLENTINO

In a culinary landscape where husband-and-wife chef duos remain a rarity, Chef Rolando "Lau" and Chef Jacqueline "Jac" Laudico stand out not only for their dynamic synergy in the kitchen but also for their shared mission: to elevate Filipino cuisine on the global stage. Married for over two decades, their partnership—rooted in shared passion, deep respect for tradition, and constant innovation-has made them household names in the Philippines and beyond.

Recently, the duo and SM Home showcased how the Martha Stewart Collection available at SM Home can empower home cooks to reimagine traditional dishes with refined flair. With Filipino ingredients as their canvas and the renowned Martha Stewart tools at hand, Chef Lau and Chef Jac created dishes that were both comforting and elegant, redefining the art of everyday cooking.

Rooted in heritage

Chef Lau took his inspiration from one of Martha Stewart's signature steak dishes, but gave it a uniquely Filipino spin. "I saw her do a steak butter recipe," he shared, "but I thought, why not turn it into something we can call our own?" Instead of the classic butter infused with Western herbs, Chef Lau's version resembled a bistek-inspired compound butter, rich with calamansi, soy sauce, red onions, and black pepper.

Accompanying the steak were two side dishes that showcased his flair for elevating humble local ingredients. Instead of the usual mashed potatoes, he opted for mashed kamote. For the greens, he reimagined Martha's classic creamed spinach using gata and a hint of ginger, infusing it with achuete.