These Women are Serving More Than Just Food—They are Nurturing Communities with their Culinary Ingenuity

Across cultures, food has always served as more than sustenance; it is a living legacy. Whereas structures crumble and historical records fade over time, food persists—serving as a flavorful archive of traditions, memories, and identities. And just as ingredients come together in a pot, it is food that binds us—satisfying our cravings for something innately human: connections. In this modern age, technology has only made it easier than ever to access and enjoy these shared experiences. Through platforms like the GrabFood 5-Star Eats—a curated collection of highly rated community-based eateries—the flavors that carry our stories are now just a tap away, delivered right to our doorstep.

You may have already heard or seen some of the signature dishes and beverages featured in this list. But now, it’s time to get to know the stories simmering behind the scenes—of remarkable women entrepreneurs and culinary creatives who are cooking up something far greater than the food you’ve come to love. Take a seat and savor their journeys.

Shienna De Ramos of Baa Baa Thai Tea

Before Baa Baa Thai Tea became a growing local favorite, it was just a simple craving. While pregnant, Shienna De Ramos struggled to find a good Thai tea without dining in. That frustration brewed into an idea. Using her background as a pastry chef graduate and prior work experience as a barista, she began crafting what is now a beloved signature beverage.

The early days of her business were far from smooth given the overwhelming orders and limited manpower. But she soon found the perfect blend for a successful business: quality, efficiency, and accessibility. Expanding to online delivery platforms like GrabFood helped her streamline operations and reach a wider market—turning her small venture into a thriving business. With glowing reviews talking about how you can taste the quality of the ingredients, her menu now features fan faves like the sala lemon, pad thai, and of course, the iconic Baa Baa Thai Tea—delivered door to door across the city. Her commitment to service excellence and the rich flavors of her menu have earned her a spot in GrabFood 5-Star Eats, alongside other beloved community merchants defining the modern cravings of today’s generation.

Diana Vinta of Kanzen Sushi Roll

Every sushi roll Diana Vinta makes carries a story wrapped with love. What started out as homemade sushi platters served to family and friends turned into Kanzen Sushi Roll—the brand behind your go-to Japanese takeout orders like Pure Cali Maki platters, Sushi Prime platters, and Bento Box Aburi. Encouraged by her loved ones, Vinta began sharing and selling her food online. She soon opened a small food cart to accommodate pick-up orders.

Her desire to make fresh, quality sushi accessibly priced was met with skepticism by some customers. But with her consistency and continuous drive for improvement, she began taking notes of customer reviews on GrabFood to refine her offerings. She soon tasted success while still remaining true to her philosophy: creating food that’s approachable, delicious, and delivered with care—as though every bite was made for her own family. As a GrabFood 5-Star Eats restaurant, Kanzen Sushi Roll shows how genuine passion for excellent cuisine can secure powerful support from an avid community of satisfied foodies. 

Chef Kim Baquiano-Hita of Thai Mango

Thai flavors hit close to home—given its similarities to our own cuisine. And Chef Kim Baquiano-Hita successfully blends these familiar flavors into one that is accessible and delicious—if not uniquely her own—with Thai Mango. Their menu features best-sellers like Chicken Pad Thai, Mango Sticky Rice, and the refreshing Thai Mango Classic. 

Her background in hospitality and high-end restaurants taught her the discipline necessary to lead a successful kitchen and business. In 2017, with just a blender and a dream, she and her sisters began selling fruit shakes at bazaars—selling out in just two days of operations. From there, Thai Mango grew through event pop-ups and social media buzz. Despite facing setbacks during the pandemic, they regained footing by focusing on cloud kitchens and GrabFood deliveries. And much like the bond we share with our neighbors through familiar flavors, this sister-led venture continues to thrive on shared passion, trust, and the joy of connecting people through food.

Jona Lee of Happilee Korean Kitchen

Much like her food, Jona Lee’s journey is a rich mix of diverse experiences. From the airline industry to education to motherhood, she is now the full-time owner of Happilee Korean Kitchen. She first ventured into entrepreneurship during the pandemic. While binge-watching K-dramas, she noticed the growing popularity of Korean media and culture. Relating to the feeling of wanting to experience this herself, she quickly spotted a gap in the market for authentic Korean casual dining.

One of their biggest challenges was logistics. To overcome this, they partnered with reliable delivery services like GrabFood. Through this, they were able to ensure their food—like bibimbap, mini kimbap, and tteokbokki—reached customers fresh and on time.

Dien Estrella of Mylene’s Ensaymada and Banana Cake

Breadmaking is slow work. In between kneading the dough and waiting for it to proof and rise, every step takes time, patience, and a kind of quiet care you cannot fake. Dien Estrella learned this early on while working in her grandmother’s bakeshop at age 13.

But apart from the life lesson, her grandmother gifted her something equally precious: her ensaymada recipe. With her mother, Estrella refined the recipe to create what is now Mylene’s Ensaymada and Banana Cake’s bestseller. Her journey to success mirrors the slow rise of good bread—spanning almost ten years of hard work. But with her consistency, patience, and the help of platforms like GrabFood, she’s now able to reach more customers and share other local favorites like Cheeserolls and Brazo Cupcakes.

Satisfying Taste Buds, Sustaining Economies

These women entrepreneurs are just a few among many whose stories and flavors enrich their communities. Behind their success, something much bigger is cooking: GrabFood’s commitment to empowering local businesses. Through GrabFood 5-Star Eats—a curated collection of top-rated, community-based restaurants—Grab enables MSMEs to reach highly active consumers, harness actionable data, and scale their footprint via an expansive delivery fleet.

By choosing to explore and enjoy the offerings from these local businesses, we do more than satisfy our taste buds; we help sustain local economies and empower emerging entrepreneurs. Every meal ordered from them carries the flavors of passion and resilience. And it’s time for you to taste, savor, and experience these yourself.

For more details, visit https://www.grab.com/ph/