The Best Hollywood Restaurant

HOST-RICO HIZON: Welcome to the FINAL WORD on CNN Philippines I’m Rico Hizon. A Filipina in Los Angeles California is making history in the American culinary scene as the first female executive chef of an Iconic restaurant in Hollywood. Joining us now all the way from Los Angeles CA. is Chef Vallerie Castillo Archer.

Chef Vallerie, thank you so much for joining us on the FINAL WORD, tell us you’ve been in the United States since 1976. Where did the influence and the love for baking and cooking come from?

CHEF VALLERIE: First of all, thank you for having me and good evening to everybody there and good morning from Hollywood CA.. Wow, baking cooking everything comes from family you know we Filipinos we love to cook, we love to entertain, and we’re always in the kitchen creating memories so I ran with that all my life and that is something that I love to do and I will continue doing until I can no longer do it. It’s just an amazing experience to do and it’s an amazing career.

RICO HIZON: Where did the love for Japanese Food come from? Chef Vallerie you are the Executive Chef of one of the most Historic restaurants in Hollywood; Yamashiro Hollywood.

CHEF VALLERIE: The love for Japanese cuisine basically it’s basically the love of food. The way you create these amazing dishes it’s a talent. It’s like creating a masterpiece, and an artwork. I just love going to the grocery store and wondering what can I make these ingredients out to be. I just I love food, I love to eat, and why not? So, I don’t know it’s just something that brings people together when you’re always around the table eating there’s always wonderful amazing memories to have.

RICO HIZON: Do you miss Filipino food? Do you still cook Filipino food Chef Vallerie?

CHEF VALLERIE: Oh wow, yes, I still do. In fact, I cook it at the restaurant. I do have guests that will message me and they say can you please make Beef Tapa? Can you make Adobo?

RICO HIZON:One of my favorites!

CHEF VALLERIE: Oh my gosh, it is a chance to be able to share that to the world. I will jump at it and I will make that dish for you.

RICO HIZON: And chef, you have prepared sumptuous Japanese Food dishes for Hollywood royalty. Let’s start off with fellow Pinoy American Bruno Mars what are his favorite Food dishes at Yamashiro Hollywood?

CHEF VALLERIE: You know he loves to have a good time and he loves “like everyone” he comes up for sushi. He loves sushi and he just loves the atmosphere of Yamashiro Restaurant.

RICO HIZON: And what was it like teaching Cardi B how to make sushi?

CHEF VALLERIE: Wow, that was an amazing experience. She’s very intimidating but you know what, it was all a good time and it’s just to be in the kitchen to have them see you work and to teach people like Cardi B your craft it’s an amazing experience and you know I can’t wait to do it again with her.

RICO HIZON: What about Nicki Minaj? What’s her favorite Japanese dish?

CHEF VALLERIE: You know what, it’s all sushi. Everything’s sushi.

RICO HIZON: No sashimi?

CHEF VALLERIE: Sushi and Sashimi, anything that has to do with Japanese cuisine. Usually everyone comes out for sushi and it’s amazing. We have the most amazing sushi here in Los Angeles.

RICO HIZON: You know Chef Vallerie, I can just feel your passion and love for Filipinos and for the Philippines and you haven’t been back to your motherland since 1993 but just looking at pictures on your social media pages the Philippines visits you. It comes to you.

CHEF VALLERIE: Yeah, I haven’t been back since 93 and we were planning to go back last year with my kids but with the pandemic it was kind of difficult but the fact that Philippine came to me, it feels like I’m home. And to walk out of the kitchen and hear all these guests speak Tagalog… I feel right at home and it’s just the most… it’s hard to explain describe. It’s the most amazing experience to have, you know. I’m just living the life and enjoying my career.

RICO HIZON: And what’s the feeling being serenaded by the concert king Martin Nievera?

CHEF VALLERIE: Oh My God, well you know I’ve always wanted to go to his concert when I was younger. My dad was in the Air Force and my dad was very strict and I wasn’t allowed to drive to Manila. So, I would just watch him on tv, I would just watch from afar. And when he came to the restaurant, my friend Natalie was saying “Sing for her”!!! I thought she was joking, then he bust out and started singing my favorite song Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin to have my own concert right in front of me TWICE, it is the most amazing and unforgettable experience I will have ever had. And I love him for that. He’s such an amazing person and he’s so kind.

RICO HIZON: And you know Chef Valerie when I visit you at Yamashiro Restaurant in Los Angeles CA., I will have a special presentation for you. I’ll read you the news, Singing. I will read you the news singing…lol

CHEF VALLERIE: I can’t wait you will have to come by now, you have to stop and see me now.

RICO HIZON: So, what’s next for Chef Vallerie? After all this is such a milestone in your career.

CHEF VALLERIE: Well, what’s next right now is I’m working on the project uh with some amazing directors called brown it features ground thefts globally and then hopefully I would come I would like to come back to the Philippines and visit my hometown and just do something there in the Philippines because I really miss home and with everyone coming to visit me here in Hollywood it’s just time to come home. I’m ready to come home.

RICO HIZON: And you are from the ilocos Region. Would you like to greet your fellow ilocanos?

CHEF VALLERIE: Yes! I would love to say hello to my ninang who’s watching everyone in um thank you so much for all your support and everyone from the Philippines. Thank you so much for your support.

RICO HIZON: Chef Vallerie we are indeed very proud of you. Keep up the great work. Thank you so much for joining us on the FINAL WORD.

CHEF VALLERIE: Thank you.

RICO HIZON: Chef Valerie Castillo Archer the Executive Chef of Yamashiro Restaurant in Los Angeles California.