Erika: Satisfying my Community’s Cravings
CREATING A NEW NORMAL
Interviews and original transcription by Loisse Ledres | Co-written with Elise Blauuw
"I wanted to take control of my life and to cook the food that I love."
After five years of managing a local coffee shop, Erika introduced Filipino flavors in Brooklyn through her creations and adding Filipino flares to the cafe's menu. However, after endless work hours, it still didn't feel like it was her own.
"I'd been exhausted to my core, I was unhappy yet work has always been a distraction from actually dealing with [my] personal problems, it was an escape."
When the pandemic hit, the cafe's business slowed, Erika found herself at a crossroads; she felt stuck in a job she had outgrown.
"COVID-related health scares and deaths of the family brought a fear that pushed me to find peace in doing what I loved. I was homesick, and connecting to other people feeling the same way got me cooking food that reminds us of the comforts of home.
Erika had a bigger vision; she wanted Filipino food to be seen in a different light and share it with her community.
"Being Filipino, we give a little bit of ourselves through our food. We are sharing a piece of ourselves and our history."
A sense of urgency arose within her; it was a leap of faith.
"I told myself, it’s now or never."
So she quit her job, Erika opened a food pop-up called Patikim NYC. Now she cooks delicious and inclusive Filipino food for everyone to try. Even when days can be exhausting, the work has been fulfilling in ways she couldn't possibly imagine.
"Doing pop-ups is fucking hard, but there was a fire inside me, that feeling that I haven't felt in a long time. I have to keep going; I didn't want to go back to the way it was, I have to try"
Her new career lets her find a balance between work and personal life, and she gets to enjoy a little bit of both while working alongside her friends and family.
"All the feelings we've been craving for is coming back to us, the smell of the barbecue grilling, the nostalgic 90s song we love to sing-along, it brings us back home and that's all we ever wanted."
Now Erika found a strength within herself. The discomforts that she was feeling were a sign of growth, and as the world changed, she needed to change with it.
"I have a hunger to bring my vision into reality, to uplift Filipino food and serve the community. We are tired of our old ways, and now the world is ready to try something new; that's what I would like to bring to the table.
- ERIKA
Erika’s upcoming projects
@patikim.nyc
LAUNCHING MORE POP-UPS IN NYC (FOLLOW @PATIKIM.NYC FOR LOCATION DETAILS)
DEVELOPING NEW FILIPINO FOOD PRODUCTS
READ MORE ABOUT CREATIVES CREATING A NEW NORMAL:
This project is part of the Creative Wildfire project, an artist grant funded by Climate Justice Alliance, Movement Generation, and New Economy Coalition.
