8 Cooking Channels To Help With 'Anong Iluluto Mamaya' Problems

8 Cooking Channels To Help With 'Anong Iluluto Mamaya' Problems

According to a recent Smart Parenting survey, 42% of parents say their biggest concern about food is "deciding what to cook next."

Parenting brings many surprises and challenges, including the daily challenge of food planning and preparation. "Anong iluluto ko mamaya?" is a frequent question for many parents.

Parents plan meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks, and baon, all while considering nutritional value. For those with toddlers and young children, picky eating and food preferences add another layer to meal planning, making it a significant burden.

If you’re looking to elevate your  cooking skills, expand your family’s menu, and stop wondering "Anong iluluto ko mamaya?", these cooking channels are here to help. These social media creators on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook offer cooking and baking tips with detailed steps and recipes.

Judy Ann’s Kitchen

Launched in 2017,  Judy Ann’s Kitchen (JAK) is a seasoned YouTube channel that introduced a new season in April 2024. Actress and mother of three Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo combines her professional chef skills with practical tips as a mother, creating recipes with a special twist. Her videos showcase every trial and error, making them relatable for those learning to cook. She also suggests ingredient alternatives.

Author’s Note: My favorite cooking tip from JAK: Add a bit of brown sugar to most dishes (except soups). A quick yet tasty favorite recipe: Homemade Tapa.

Where to Watch: YouTube.

Ninong Ry

Ninong Ry gained popularity during the pandemic, making cooking lessons fun with his comedic approach. His recipes range from everyday dishes to restaurant creations and special menus for celebrations.

Ninong Ry recently launched his first cookbook, Hindi Ito Cookbook ni Ninong Ry!

Author’s Note: My favorite recipe from Ninong Ry is his Baby Back Ribs (3-Ways), featuring a dry-rub recipe and three cooking methods: boiling, baking, or grilling.

Where to Watch: YouTube

Simpol by Chef Tatung

As the name suggests, Simpol by Chef Tatung simplifies cooking with recipes that use ingredients readily available in your kitchen. Chef Tatung explains each recipe clearly, making them easy to follow at home. But despite the simplicity, his channel offers special dishes like Spaghetti Bolognese, Burger Steak with Mushroom Gravy, Empanada, and Baguettes.

Chef Tatung has also published ‘Simpol the Cookbook’ containing all his ‘Simpol’ recipes.

Author’s Note: My go-to recipes from Simpol include Chicken Afritada, Garlic and Mushroom Chicken, Pancit Guisado, Lumpiang Shanghai, and Sizzling Tofu. And one of my family’s favorites is the Fried Chicken Ala Max’s!

Where to Watch: YouTube

Abi Marquez

Known as the "Lumpia Queen," Abi Marquez showcases innovative Filipino cuisine in short reels. She wraps everything in lumpia wrappers, from popcorn kernels, buko pandan, California maki, pizza, cheeseburger, and even sinigang. One of her first videos to gain millions of views in TikTok is her version of peach mango pie wrapped in lumpia wrapper.

Abi gained international recognition, winning various awards, including the 2024 Webby Awards and a spot on Forbes Asia’s ‘30 Under 30.’

Author’s Note: I love her Tikoy recipe–tikoy and saging na saba wrapped in lumpia wrapper. Another dish I liked that can be cooked in less than two minutes and can be served on special occasions is the Beef Pepper Rice–it looks like a restaurant dish with minimal ingredients.

Where to Watch: TikTok, Facebook, Instagram

FEATR (Formerly The Fat Kid Inside by Erwan Heusaff)

Originally a cooking channel by Erwan Heusaff, FEATR now includes food documentaries. Before this shift, the channel featured easy yet special recipes such as Perfect Scrambled Eggs (3 Ways), Healthy Wraps at Home, How to Cook Steak, Beef Recipes, and other Filipino dishes. It also had a Sibling Cook-Off series with Solenn Heusaff.

FEATR is also internationally acclaimed, as it was nominated for three James Beard Awards this 2024. In 2023, Erwan Heusaff won the James Beard Media Award for highlighting the country’s food and culture.

Author’s Note: FEATR is my go-to for cooking the perfect steak. The video ‘How To Cook The Best Steak Everytime (Pan-Seared, Sous Vide, Oven, Roasted, Grilled)’ is a comprehensive guide for steak nights at home.

Where to Watch: Youtube, with updates on Instagram

Imamu Room (Japanese Cuisine)

Imamu Room is a YouTube channel by a Japanese stay-at-home mom in Canada. Initially focused on ‘Husbento’ (bento boxes for her husband), it now showcases everyday meals and school lunch boxes for her daughter. Her content is relatable for parents who need to prepare and cook food everyday based on their children’s preferences. Imamu Room’s videos are also calming, with captions and background music instead of voiceovers. Perfect for night time watching.

Author’s Note: I love her side dishes, which she prepares along with main dishes for her bento boxes. This includes rolled egg or stir-fried vegetables, which are a great way to expand a simple menu.

Where to Watch: YouTube

Aaron and Claire (Korean and Asian)

Aaron and Claire is a YouTube channel offering Korean and other Asian recipes. Based in Seoul, South Korea, Aaron, a former professional chef, and Claire, his wife, create dishes like Korean Fried Chicken, Bulgogi, Jjajangmyeon, Galbi or Korean Beef Stew, and Tteokbokki. Their videos make it easy to try new cuisines at home.

Author’s Note: My favorite discoveries from Aaron and Claire is the 5-minute Easy Udon Noodle Recipe. It’s easy to make and requires a few ingredients, but can be served in different ways: plain stir-fried udon, with pork belly, with beef bulgogi or with shrimps. It’s a great way to introduce kids to new flavors, my daughter loves it!

Where to Watch: They just released their first cookbook;  Simply Korean; videos are available on YouTube

Bigger Bolder Baking

Baking can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers. Bigger Bolder Baking, created by professional pastry chef Gemma Stafford, simplifies baking for beginners. Her videos provide easy-to-follow instructions and suggest ingredient alternatives.

Some of her most popular videos on YouTube are 5 Microwave Mug Meals, Gemma’s Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies, Gemma’s Best-Ever Brownies, and Crazy Cupcakes–One Easy Cupcake Recipe with Endless Flavor Variations.

Author’s Note: As a first-time baker during the pandemic, Bigger Bolder Baking became my teacher. I loved her Chocolate Chip Cookies, Brownies, Cupcakes, Banana Bread and our all-time favorite, Chocolate Crinkles!

Where to Watch: YouTube, and full recipes and instructions on the website

Happy cooking, Smart Parents!

The author is a freelancing stay-at-home mom who cooks daily for a family of three, except on weekends.

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