For Chef Apol Nolasco, cooking has always been a part of her life. Growing up in a foodie family, she developed a passion for cooking at a young age. Her mother was her inspiration and taught her how to cook her first dish, Adobo. This ignited her love for cooking and eventually led her to pursue a career in the culinary industry.
In 2014, Chef Apol moved to the UAE and worked for different companies and restaurants. She started her own business, Sinangkutsa ni Cheffy, in August 2020 but had to close it down later that year to focus on her health. In December 2021, she opened Papolicious Cucina – Chili Garlic Bagoong, which quickly gained popularity among Filipinos in the UAE.
Papolicious Cucina is not an overnight success. Chef Apol started this business back in 2010 in Marikina City together with her friends. It was in 2012 when she decided to branch out in Recto, Manila with her cousins. Today, Papolicious Cucina dishes can be ordered through a food delivery app called The Oven Market (TOM), making it easy for Filipinos in the UAE to taste and enjoy their favorite Filipino comfort food.
Chef Apol’s passion for cooking and her dedication to providing affordable and quality home-cooked Filipino food is what sets Papolicious Cucina apart. As she puts it, “hindi lahat ng masarap ay mahal” (not all delicious food is expensive). Her love for cooking is evident in the way she prepares and presents her dishes, using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients.
One of the struggles Chef Apol has endured is her health. She had to undergo two heart surgeries, one in 2018 and another in 2020. She was scared that she may not be able to do what she loves, which is cooking. However, with the help of God, her family in the UAE and the Philippines, as well as her business partner who never left her side during those trying times, she was able to overcome it and continue sharing her love and passion for cooking.
For Chef Apol, working overseas has taught her the value of diversity and efficiency. She has worked with people from different countries and learned from them. She also appreciates the security and stability that the UAE provides.
When asked about her future plans, Chef Apol said she plans to continue what she has started and bring Papolicious Cucina to the Philippines eventually. She wants to share her passion and love for cooking with her kababayans (countrymen) all over the world.
For Filipinos who are struggling abroad, Chef Apol’s advice is to work hard, trust in the Lord, and believe in yourself. She also wants to take this opportunity to thank The Global Filipino Magazine for recognizing the hard work of Filipinos in the UAE and for being a source of courage, inspiration, and motivation to the community.
In the words of Chef Apol, “There’s no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let others get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections.” Her story is a testament to the power of passion, determination, and hard work.