The Plaza’s Background History

The Plaza tells the story of four generations of trailblazing restaurateurs who, starting with the first-generation matriarch Aling Asiang and ending with her great-granddaughter Karla Marina, have carried on a tradition of exceptional cuisine over the years.

The Best Baked Ham by The Plaza

Joe’s wife Imelda “Meldy” A. Reyes suggested that Master Chef Gosta Pettersson create The Plaza Premium Baked Ham in the 1960s. Meldy insisted this product for every Filipino table as she was acquainted with the tastes of Manila’s upper class. Despite having its origins in the Swedish ham often served at Christmas, this meal was created with Filipino palates in mind, with the ideal balance of sweetness and saltiness. The freshly baked ham, which has been cured, mildly wood-smoked with herbs and spices, baked, glazed, and coated with a sweet, crumbly crust, is now offered daily at five retail locations in Metro Manila.

Premium Corned Beef by The Plaza

During the mid-1960s, Joe and Chef Gosta were inspired to make boiled corned beef by a famous New England meal that included boiled beef brisket with a variety of vegetables. It served as a substitute for our beloved “beef nilaga” that Lola Asiang used to prepare for Sunday lunch. This dish was perfect for a potluck dinner with the family.

The Plaza’s freshly cooked corned beef became an instant hit and a best seller after its introduction. Alongside it, Chef Gosta offered cooked potatoes, carrots, and small cabbage that some thought was brussel sprouts. Not to mention the horseradish sauce!

The Plaza chronicles the adventures of four generations of avant-garde restaurateurs.

FIRST GENERATION: WOMAN

In 1935, Engracia Cruz Reyes, also called Aling Asiang, established the Aristocrat Restaurant. Successive family generations have been inspired to get into the food and restaurant industry by her trailblazing ideas.

TEAM 2ND GENERATION: SON & WIFE

When his son Jose Cruz Reyes was a little child, he helped his father Aling Asiang manage The Aristocrat restaurant in its early years. Later, the restaurant operated as a rolling store along a section of Luneta Park.

They founded The Plaza in 1965 with their wife, Imelda Albano, and were regarded as pioneers in the restaurant business.

Among the founding members of the Hotel & Restaurant Association of the Philippines was Lolo Joe.

In the 1960s, Lola Meldy pioneered a new industry by starting a catering business. Lola Meldy Reyes and Gosta Pettersson, the Swedish Master Chef at The Plaza, came up with the idea, worked on it, and refined the Plaza Premium Baked Ham.

THIRD GENERATION: BROTHER

Millie Reyes received her education at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and the esteemed École Hotelière de la Société Suisse des Hoteliers in Lausanne, Switzerland.

When Millie, then just 25 years old, built The Plaza at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), it quickly became known for hosting huge international meetings, with the maximum capacity reaching 10,000 attendees.

When Millie founded The Plaza Premium Baked Ham, she introduced elegant dinner rooms’ special occasion ham to shopping centers.

FOURTH GENERATION: OUTSTANDING GRAND DAUGHTER

Carrying on the pioneering heritage is Karla Marina, a graduate of Business Management Majoring in Entrepreneurship. She also holds a culinary arts degree from the French Culinary Institute’s predecessor, the International Culinary Center in New York. The Plaza Premium Baked Ham kiosks at SM Mega Mall, Petron Square Dasmarinas, Rustan’s Makati, Rockwell Cinema Snack Bar, Petron La Vista along Katipunan, and the weekend pop-ups at the Alabang Golf and Country Club are managed and overseen by Karla, who also oversees the catering operations. In addition, she introduced Go Gourmet by The Plaza, which offers prepared, frozen, and cooked Plaza staples in Petron Square Dasmarinas and Petron La Vista.

At the moment, Karla is also in charge of The Plaza at V&A Law Center in Bonifacio Global City’s restaurant and cafeteria operations.

Celebrate your special occasion with The Plaza Catering, whether it’s personal or professional.

The Plaza’s signature cuisine and innovative culinary innovations will undoubtedly make any gathering, from buffets to formal plated dinners, one to remember. The Plaza Catering offers excellent foreign culinary selections that can be tailored to meet your milestone occasion, from lawn weddings to classic elegance. Also provides a range of culinary products that your guests, whether young or old, will undoubtedly love, whether they are eating for children or adults.