There is always that silver lining in every crisis. For this pilot, it made him discover his love for food, particularly, pies. Eventually, this pilot opened a business that makes crack pies. Gabriel “Jiggy” Mendoza is a Philippine Airlines second officer pilot. He hails from a family of aviators. His dad is a retired captain, his older brother is a present captain, his mother and sister were former flight attendants.
Jiggy considers himself to have this deep connection with food, thanks also to his friends. Jiggy shares, “It was through the influence and encouragement of friends who taught me a few skills and tricks, that I learned to cook and bake.”
Being an airline pilot has allowed him to travel around. Fortunately, he was able to satisfy his deep interest for food by trying out different cuisines and one of them are Crack pies. “When I had my first Crack Pie, I was going around New York alone for the very first time. My first bite of that pie, I just felt that spark. It was like a warm hug; a happy sensation running through me,” Jiggy shared.
Jiggy found this instant connection with Crack Pies. He found it simple and yet, he felt it was like an easy friendship. To feed his curiosity further, Jiggy also watched a documentary on Christina Tosi. “Tosi was so wholesome, warm, and friendly — exactly how I felt about the Crack Pie! She managed to put her personality in that pie. I told myself that’s exactly how I want my food to be: an extension of me! It’d be my way of connecting with other people” said Jiggy.
A sudden turn
Jiggy had been flying for the airline for 4 years when this pandemic forced things to take a sudden turn. Instead of allowing the situation to take control of him, just like a pilot, he took control of the “aircraft”. He then saw this opportunity to turn this passion for food into a business, a business making and selling Crack Pies.
Crack.ph was formed around two months ago and things seem to be going pretty well. The business carries crack pies and half baked cookies inspired by another famous bake shop in New York. Since they were able to connect with a lot of customers, Jiggy’s business had been receiving requests for other dishes.
We have been getting some dish requests from customers like the Truffle Mac & Cheese w/ Foie Gras. Initially, we weren’t planning on officially selling it, but since we posted it on our Instagram Stories we’ve been making it almost every baking day. Recently, another customer asked for something “new” and special, so I recently came up with this pizza product inspired by elements in a charcuterie board (fig jam; prosciutto; Brie cheese; pear slices) all in a puff pastry base. I called it a Charcuterie Pizza, and like the Mac & Cheese other people have been requesting for it when we post it on our Instagram Stories.”
Gabriel “Jiggy” Mendoza
Jiggy also believes that connecting with their customers has helped propel his business a lot. Before the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila, they would do personal deliveries to their customers, particularly, those in the south. They would even serve free coffee or gin and tonics to go with the pies. While much of Crack.PH’s customers are in the south area, they do get customers from BGC, Makati, and Quezon City.
How being a pilot has helped
Being a second officer of PAL has helped Jiggy discover new dishes, flavors, and ingredients which allowed Crack.PH to always innovate. This also gave the business an advantage when it comes to offering new and unique products.
Jiggy sees his business as a long-term one, and not just a short-term sideline. “I plan on continuing this business, to innovate and research on food. I want to expand my product offerings. However, Jiggy is also not discounting the fact that he may fly again in the future as aviation runs in their bloodlines. Given the chance that things get better and an opportunity to fly again knocks, he will definitely grab it. “Who knows, maybe I’d be able to share what I learned from this business venture to the crew members,” shared Jiggy.
For food orders, you may reach Crack.Ph at Instagram (@Crack.PH), Facebook account (@Crack.PH). You may also reach them at 09605267412.
