Moms Know Best: Berry Stehmeier, Cara de Ocampo, and Francesca Herring
Staying true to their core, these three friends, turned mothers and entrepreneurs have successfully helmed food businesses that families and kids simply love.
This story on moms who know their healthy food first came out in Modern Parenting’s 2022 print edition.
Food provides a comfort different from other forms of affection. Aside from necessity, who can doubt the nourishing feeling of a warm bowl of soup, the delight of a breakfast plate, and the joy of freshly-baked bread? Food doesn’t just exist to keep us alive — it is also a way to reclaim the senses, to help us remember what makes life worth living.
Hence, it’s no surprise why a meal made at home tastes even better. There’s a lot of thought that goes into homemade meals: aside from tasting good, they carry an understanding of what your family likes to eat, what textures provide them comfort, and an unconditional love that ties everything together.
When the pandemic hit and made things harder to source, it understandably put a strain on homemakers looking to create delicious yet healthy meals. Fortunately, a handful of small brands rose to the occasion, providing families with the same comforting staples without compromising quality and health. And more often than not, it’s mothers who stand at the forefront of these thoughtful businesses.
As a tribute, we feature some of the moms who’ve provided many families and households treats and meals that capture the same magic of a homemade meal.
Berry’s Deli by Berry Stehmeier
The mouthwatering delights of Berry’s Deli have become a staple for the regular food connoisseur. Each product is a treat for the senses — from their charcuterie board selections to their spreads, and even their popular nitrate-free links.
Above all, they’re all parent-approved. With a commitment to providing healthier, homemade options to the usual ulam and baon, each item from Berry’s Deli carries the same heartiness minus the health concerns.
At the helm of the brand is Berry Tenchavez Stehmeier, who with her husband Jack, kicked off the business in 2019. Their youngest child was scheduled for open-heart surgery so the couple mostly stayed home. Jack found a Facebook group where different homemakers within their village sold specialty food items and other goods. “My husband was pushing us to do something since at that time we were just mostly at home, because we couldn’t expose our youngest daughter,” Berry narrates. “She was only 8 months old when she had the operation.”
They decided to start with nitrate-free hotdogs, which they sold at the Yummy Home Kitchen Directory in Ayala Alabang. Fortunately, after their daughter’s surgery, orders started to flood in; leaving the couple to assess whether they wanted to turn it into a full-fledged business.
A Berry Deli-ghtful Origin Story
As parents, Berry and Jack initially wanted to create quick and easy meals for their family, adding a little more to their menu to reflect their love for happy hour. Over time, this vision began to expand into “an alternative store to supermarket or store[1]bought products” that provided a wide range of parent-and-child-approved products. “We wanted [a] great product selection [of locally-made and imported products] for the whole family,” Berry says. “From [kid-friendly and] happy hour products to luxury dining in the comforts of your home.”
Since its inception, Berry’s Deli has operated as an online business, selling their products through Facebook and Instagram. So when the pandemic hit in 2020, it was business as usual for the brand. Berry’s approach to entrepreneurship was largely shaped by her mother, who she calls the “ultimate multitasker.” Despite being a stay-at-home mom, Berry’s mother always had a side hustle ready on top of taking care of her seven children and tending to family events. Because of this, Berry says she learned to take risks and not be afraid of failure — but within certain boundaries. “We only sell products we eat, [use], and love,” she says. “But like my mom, my priority [is] my children. I am present when they need me. They always come first.”
Most of all, it’s her mother’s grit, determination, and flexibility that allowed her to steer Berry’s Deli into the star it is today. As the business grew, so did its range of products. Some were inspired by their little ones, others by the needs of their customers. Their sauces and DIY kits, for instance, produced a fun way parents can spend time with their kids during the pandemic. Their gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free products also cater to the growing needs of parents around the country.
In the end, Berry’s Deli doesn’t just aim to delight with its delectable offerings. They also help busy parents spend more time with their family by bringing tasty food the whole family can enjoy straight to them.
The Corner Pantry by Cara De Ocampo
While you can’t beat the magic of a homemade meal, it can be a little time-extensive to cook up. It’s the reason why ready-made ingredients and easy-to-cook kits are all the rage. Aside from providing the same tasty result, they also significantly cut the prep time needed.
This is, of course, not without reservations. While ready-made ingredients may be convenient, they always run the risk of shortcuts. And often, they come in the form of additional chemicals that might harm you and your family’s health in the long run.
It’s this sort of worry that The Corner Pantry knows well. Their assortment of healthy snacks, juices, and other Filipino favorites can be seamlessly incorporated into your family’s busy day. All the while keeping remaining healthy and preservative-free.
It’s no surprise that two moms sit at the helm of these delightful goodies. Cara de Ocampo started The Corner Pantry before the pandemic. She and business partner Cathy Romualdez Dizon noticed a lack of healthier alternatives to the usual normal food staples. To counter this, they decided to create their own products — meals that their whole family could enjoy without worry.
For parents looking for a family-friendly meal that can be cooked in under 20 minutes or less, The Corner Pantry provides just that. It’s the convenience that counts.
The Daily Knead by Francesca Herring
There’s nothing that encapsulates the pleasures of life as well as a delicious piece of bread. And if there’s anyone who knows that, it’s the people behind The Daily Knead.
Whether it’s sweet treats like their pastillas eclairs and coffee custard buns, or their more savory offerings like their ciabatta and baguette, The Daily Knead’s artisanal bread and pastries hit the right spot with their varied flavor palette. And they don’t just taste good but look good too. Scroll through their curated feeds, and you’ll find it hard not to get hungry after that brief excursion.
Steering the brand is Francesca Herring, who started the endeavor during the lockdown. At the time, it was out of necessity: good bread had been hard to come by, and due to restrictions, they were only allowed to bring two loaves per travel pass. “It was a daunting and stressful time for all. I found myself looking for inspiration and activities for our children,” says Francesca. “It was then I decided to bake our bread using only wholesome ingredients. It should be food that I wouldn’t hesitate to give my own family.”
Bread As A Daily Knead
Aside from being a source of sustenance, bread-making was an enjoyable bonding activity for the whole family. They started with the sourdough country loaf, which Francesca had sought to perfect. After some encouragement from her husband Jason and her sister Francine, she began selling the loaves and other sweet treats in their village and to friends. Eventually, their reach spread all over Metro Manila, and while it was difficult operating during the pandemic — Francesca details their initial struggles connecting with suppliers, then anticipating COVID restrictions — they eventually found their footing in the business.
While The Daily Knead was born from limitation, its origin story came much, much earlier. Francesca tells us that she’d been wanting to marry the two sides of herself: that of a full-time mom and a full-time entrepreneur. “I found it difficult to bring the two together and be both all at the same time. I always envisioned myself doing school pick-ups and drop-offs. But, I also saw myself being the career woman that never missed a beat,” she recounts. “It wasn’t until earlier this year that I realized that I can be both. My kids would be better off seeing their mom work hard, and face challenges [head-on].”
A Mother’s Love in Every Loaf
And indeed, Francesca embodies the spirit of both. One might even say The Daily Knead is an extension of herself. When creating products, Francesca says that each item was baked with her children in mind. Lacking in preservatives, extenders, softeners, or food coloring, The Daily Knead’s offerings are good for the whole family to consume without adverse effects. Francesca also drew inspiration from her childhood memories and travels: such was the case with their flavored croissants and chiffon cakes. She tells us it’s one of the things their clients love about their products. Aside from the balanced flavors, they too evoke a sense of nostalgia.
And as the country begins to move out of pandemic restrictions, the need for a good snack or meal to go has expanded. Fortunately, The Daily Knead is there to supply those needs, be it for your kids’ baon or a quick munch of the years gone by.
More about parents who cook:
Happy Ongpauco-Tiu Talks About Two of Her Passions: Family and Food
Chef Gene Gonzales: How Cooking Brings Family Together
Sharing a Meal at Juana’s Table
