Grace before meals

The Role of Grace before Meals

When Marirose Garcia-Veloso says that as long as people keep eating, she'll
she'll keep cooking, it's not just a clever quip. It's a testament to her d
dedication to serving others and building strong relationships with her sta
staff and customers.

Quick Questions

If you could share a meal with any individual, living or dead, who would th
they be?

Mother Teresa and Pope Francis

What was the last book you read?

The Bible (CBS version), Genesis, and Exodus

Which celebrity would you like to meet for a cup of coffee?

Peter Tan Chi

What is the most daring thing you have ever done?

Swam in a deep sea that unknowingly had a strong current.

What is the one thing you will never do again?

Swim in the deep sea that has a strong current, ride any type of roller coa
coaster, or any amusement rides that are high above the ground.

A Legacy of Consistency and Quality

Marirose Garcia-Veloso's story is one of quiet perseverance. For over four 
decades, she has been the driving force behind Tacloban City's most storied
storied culinary institutions Village Chefs by Little Green Kitchen (LGK),
(LGK), The Glasshouse by LGK, and Huts by LGK.

Born and Raised in Tacloban

Garcia-Veloso was born and raised in Tacloban. Her passion for cooking bega
began as a homemaker, slowly evolving into a livelihood that would eventual
eventually span generations.

From Catering to Restaurants

Her first foray into business was in catering, building a reputation dish 
by dish and table by table. She was a one-woman team, cooking, serving, an
and even washing the dishes. That hands-on dedication expanded her clientel
clientele to include local business leaders, visiting dignitaries, and mult
multiple Philippine presidents.

Village Chefs A Community of People

Village Chefs by Little Green Kitchen has become a landmark that embodies G
Garcia-Veloso's philosophy of community. We started as Little Green Kitche
Kitchen, but over time we grew, she said. We built Village Chefs to showc
showcase not just food, but a community of people working together — the ch
chefs, servers, and suppliers.

The Glasshouse A Blend of Elegance and Warmth

The brand further evolved with the opening of The Glasshouse, a picturesque
picturesque modern venue surrounded by greenery. Originally designed for hi
high-end catering functions, it now serves as a restaurant space during off
off-peak hours.

A Legacy of Staff Retention

In an industry notorious for high employee turnover, Garcia-Veloso's staff 
are outliers. Many have been with her for decades, some starting when they 
were still helping care for her children. The biggest challenge is managin
managing employees, especially those who have been with you for so long, s
she admitted.

Expanding the Legacy

At an age when many would consider retirement, Garcia-Veloso's entrepreneur
entrepreneurial spirit continues to grow. She recently opened Huts by LGK, 
a collection of seven cozy cottages for guests seeking overnight stays or a
a place to relax after a heavy meal. Her family is also currently developin
developing a resort in Tabango, Leyte, featuring white sand and a swimming 
area.

Advice for the Digital Generation

While she respects the tools available to today's entrepreneurs, Garcia-Vel
Garcia-Veloso challenges the new generation to reclaim a fading work ethic.
ethic. Technology has made it easy to find ingredients and manage a busine
business online, unlike when we had to learn from scratch, she said. Her a
advice? Start small. Focus on five specialties first so you can monitor ex
expenses and keep your capital low. Use the internet — everything you need 
is there.

However, she laments that fewer people are willing to do the physical work 
required in the service industry. Everyone is chasing air-conditioned jobs
jobs, but nobody wants to be a waiter or a vendor, even if it's a goldmine.
goldmine. Use your hands, your feet, and a little bit of your head — and yo
you'll make money.

Revised for tone, grammar, and readability, this blog post aims to showcase
showcase Marirose Garcia-Veloso's legacy as a culinary institution in Taclo
Tacloban City. It highlights her passion for cooking, dedication to buildin
building strong relationships with her staff and customers, and entrepreneu
entrepreneurial spirit that continues to grow despite her age.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.