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This Café Is The Home Of The Biggest Croissants In Town

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Ching Dee

<p>What started out as a pastry commissary in Caloocan City turned into a buttery haven of French viennoiserie in BGC, thanks to the award-winning talents of pastry chef and culinary consultant Kris Edison Tan. </p><div><br/></div><p>In the quieter side of Bonifacio Global City (BGC) amidst the towering skyscrapers lies a culinary haven where tradition meets innovation.<a href="https://www.instagram.com/masamadrebakehouse/" target="_blank"> Masa Madre Café</a>, founded by Chef Kris after running his commissary for over two years, is more than just a cafe; it&#x27;s a heartfelt promise to a beloved mentor who was like his second father, the late Chef Dan Basilio, one of the institutions of the Philippine pastry industry.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/34c1af1e-3cdf-410c-8e73-9dd7ed6ad366_00 chef kris edison tan.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Chef Kris Edison Tan<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Ching Dee   </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/food/features/list-restaurants-open-in-manila-holy-week-2024/37768" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LIST: Restaurants Open In Manila This Holy Week 2024</a></div><p>“Ito talaga ang dream namin ni Chef Dan, to have our own business and to share our knowledge with more people,” Chef Kris shared. “So ‘nung nagkaron na ko ng chance to make this happen, I made sure na tinupad ko ‘yung promise ko sa kanya.”</p><div><br/></div><p>The intoxicating aroma of freshly baked pastries and the sound of steaming espresso machines will welcome you as you step into Masa Madre Café. The café is spacious enough for several tables, a comfy couch by the entrance, and a workshop area at the back where Chef Kris teaches classes every Sunday — one of his promises to his mentor. The café also serves as a showroom for a distributor of kitchen appliances, so if you want to do some shopping and dining, you’ve come to the right place.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2HVn4UvvgZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2HVn4UvvgZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"> <div 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style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"><br/></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"> <div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"><br/></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"><br/></div></div></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"><br/></div></div></a><div style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2HVn4UvvgZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Masa Madre Bakehouse (@masamadrebakehouse)</a></div></div></blockquote> </div><div><br/></div><br/><p>Masa Madre also serves as Chef Kris’ playground where he can let his creativity run wild. He and his team currently serves perhaps the largest croissant and pain chocolat in the metro. The <strong>Giant Pain Au Chocolat</strong> weighs at least 1,500 grams (1.5 kilos), which is equivalent to 15 to 18 pieces of regular pain au chocolats!</p><br/><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/e4f4feb2-a2cc-40ce-a864-db6eb477a5bb_01 giant pain au chocolat.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Giant Pain Au Chocolat <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Ching Dee  </em></span></span></span></span></div><p>According to Chef Kris, their giant pastries have become popular gifts, often replacing birthday cakes. They made sure they give the giant version the same attention to detail as the regular-sized pastries, using the same French butter and a mixture of high quality couverture dark and milk chocolate for best results. </p><div><br/></div><p>Chef Kris&#x27; journey as a pastry chef is a testament to his passion for creating delectable treats inspired by his late mentor&#x27;s teachings and his own creative flair. The café&#x27;s menu is short and sweet with a delightful combination of classic French pastries with a unique twist, alongside simple yet flavorful café staples like hearty sandwiches (using their own house-made breads of course) and comforting pasta dishes. </p><div><br/></div><p>Here are some must-tries at Masa Madre Café:</p><div><br/></div><div class="article-content" itemProp="articleBody"><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/68312c7a-c3e7-49bd-a606-15363adacfbb_2%20landscape.jpeg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/f25e16cb-beb0-48db-bd33-93787ad09e4c_02%20croque%20monsieur.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/cf45287a-7356-49f7-8a47-96b397056b5e_03%20beef%20ragu%20pasta.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/1aca402e-90a2-4cc0-af67-a7f88ee511ab_04%20pan%20bagnat.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/3b811aca-68c6-44f8-8f63-6faf5d2cf8c8_05%20mentaiko%20croissant.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/6c7f83c2-71b6-4aae-97dc-956fec25cade_06%20ferrero%20rocher%20croissant.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/05770549-c25d-407b-85bb-0ae0ca4505b8_07%20truffle%20cheese%20puff.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/b64b65ae-93f5-42d2-beee-09ee1e502a2c_08%20rice%20bowls%20%5Bphoto%20courtesy%20of%20masa%20madre%20cafe%5D.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Croque Monsieur - Slices of their Croissant Loaf with ham and mozzarella topped with burnt noisette bechamel sauce. It’s served with a side salad to balance the richness of their take on this classic French boulangerie favorite. <cite>Ching Dee</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Beef Ragu Pasta - Sometimes, the simplest flavors are the best. This pasta dish was comforting and savory; it’s just the right amount of salty so you can enjoy a sweet pastry after polishing the plate. They made the beef ragu by braising the meat in tomato sauce for a long time, then finished it with grated parmesan and torched cheddar cheese. The crunchy sourdough bread on the side is a nice balance of textures or a great way to sop up all the extra sauce. <cite>Ching Dee</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Pan Bagnat - This is the perfect brunch or afternoon treat! They filled their signature croissant with a mixture of tuna, cream cheese, and mayonnaise. The tuna is not too fishy and it has just the right amount of mayonnaise to keep it moist without being overwhelming. It’s studded with finely chopped onions and topped with more pickled red onions, cucumbers, fresh tomatoes, and house-made tapenade — keeping the flavor profile punchy. <cite>Ching Dee</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Mentaiko Croissant - Their signature Mentaiko Croissant has been around since Masa Madre began, but if you haven’t tried it yet, you definitely should. The buttery, crispy croissant is filled with their proprietary mixture of cream cheese, mentaiko, and togarashi for some heat and to balance the briny flavor of the Japanese pollock roe. This writer has been asking Chef Kris to bottle up this mentaiko spread and will never stop doing so.<cite>Ching Dee</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Ferrero Rocher Croissant  - This irresistible variation of their croissant is covered in dark couverture chocolate for the ultimate chocolate experience. This is every chocoholic’s dream come true.</p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Truffle Cheese Puff - For the timeless combination of salty and sweet, the Truffle Cheese Puff (which is also available at Chef Kris’ Fabrique Bakery at Public Eatery, Robinsons Manilawill satisfy anyone’s craving for buttery pastry filled with savory cheese and a beautiful hint of truffle to round the flavors out.<cite>Ching Dee</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Rice Bowls -  Beef Stroganoff, beef chunks in creamy mushroom sauce; the Big Marc (named after Chef Kris’ closest friend and Masa Madre’s operations manager), made of beef patties with a smokey sauce and crispy fried egg on top; and their own take on the cozy Beef Stew. These new additions are a nod to Chef Kris’ roots and his commitment to honoring local cuisine. The new Rice Bowls are set to be available by the end of March.<cite>Masa Madre Bakehouse</cite></p></div></div></div></div><div></div><div><br/></div><p>Beyond the exquisite flavors and meticulously crafted dishes, what truly sets Masa Madre Cafe apart is the heartfelt dedication behind every creation. For Chef Kris, each pastry is a tribute to his late mentor, a way of keeping his memory alive and honoring the invaluable lessons he imparted. It&#x27;s more than just a cafe; it&#x27;s a culinary journey infused with love, tradition, and innovation — a testament to the enduring power of food to connect us, inspire us, and nourish both body and soul.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/food/restaurants/restaurant-guide-to-public-eatery-robinsons-magnol/36475" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A Quick Guide To All The Must-Eats At Public Eatery</a></div><div><em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/masamadrebakehouse/" target="_blank">Masa Madre Bakehouse Café</a> | G/F CocoLight Building, 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City  | Open Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00am - 7:00pm | Facebook and Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/masamadrebakehouse/" target="_blank">@MasaMadreBakehouse</a>  </em></div><div><em><br/></em></div><div><em>Photography by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chingsilog/" target="_blank">Ching Dee</a></em></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>