Abacá

Pinoy Heritage’s story began in 2013 when Francis and his wife Dian were stranded in the Philippines after the wake of Typhoon Haiyan which wiped out entire towns and displaced thousands of families. Galvanized by the utter destruction around them, Francis and Dian were able to help out and feed the community with the limited resources and food available to them. Upon returning to San Francisco, Ang was determined to provide more support overseas through hosting a fundraiser at the Fifth Floor where he currently worked, showcasing an enticing Filipino menu. The food was so well received that it planted a seed for future endeavors. Ang continued to impart his Filipino dishes onto Fifth Floor Restaurant and Dirty Habit's menus until his departure in December 2015.

By 2016, Ang and his wife decided to take a deep dive back into their culinary roots. The couple traveled to the Philippine islands for six months studying the local cuisine from origin to evolution. As a result, Pinoy Heritage was born, a Filipino pop-up manned by Ang, his wife Dian, and Chef Danica Aviles. In 2018, Pinoy Heritage won Eater SF’s “Pop-up of the Year” award as well as San Francisco Chronicle's Rising Star Chef. In 2019, Ang also won Starchef's Rising Star Chef. Ang also works with 2-star Michelin, Taj Campton Place Hotel, consulting on their dessert program.