Baken Enters the Dining Scene with Bold Chef Collaborations
Baken goes bold with a strategic push to stand out and scale in the snack and dining scene.
All-bacon snack brand Baken, the brainchild of entrepreneur Rachel Carrasco, is set to elevate its products to new heights thanks to a partnership with Toyo Eatery owner Chef Jordy Navarra and Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2023, Lolla Singapore’s Johanne Siy.
Baken 1104, set to take place from June 3 to 6 at Toyo Eatery in Makati, is the flagship dining experience from Baken that will put the brand’s bestsellers at the forefront of a three-stage culinary journey.
“When Chef Jordy, Chef Jo, and I were envisioning this experience we saw a feast—a warm salu-salo in our ‘home,’ where the rich flavors of Filipino culture come alive in every bite, and the spirit of a fiesta brings everyone together,” says Carrasco.
Breaking the Rules of Bacon
The “1104” in Baken 1104’s name is a nod to the postal code where Baken evolved from a bold idea into a tangible brand created for those who love to indulge. It’s an ode to its simple beginnings, rooted in the comforts of home.
Baken’s best-selling Real Bacon Crisps, Bacon Cookies, and Bacon Jam will feature in the multi-level dining experience promised by Baken 1104. Baken 1104 will take diners not just on a culinary journey showcasing the best of Filipino food, but also on a journey of growth that saw Baken evolve from a snack honed at home to a world-class and award-winning product.
“At Baken, we’re breaking new ground in snacking,” Carrasco shares. “It’s exciting to bring our brand into the dining world where chefs, bartenders, and even home cooks can experiment, explore, and energize their creativity with Baken products.”
Baken, Born to Make Waves
Baken is leading a new era in meat snacking. From small-batch beginnings to global collaborations, Baken is rewriting the rules of snacking and making waves in the culinary world.
With a commitment to quality, innovation, and flavor, Baken is redefining what snacks can be—moving beyond the ordinary and into the realm of culinary creativity. From pioneering global chef collaborations to launching unexpected dining experiences, Baken isn’t just following trends—it’s setting them.
A Journey to the Global Stage
Beyond pushing boundaries and changing how people snack, Baken aims to challenge long-held perceptions, particularly about Filipino food. Shaped by different foreign cultures and hundreds of years of history, Filipino cuisine is as diverse as the 7,500+ islands that make up the Philippines.
The brains and talent behind Baken 1104 dream of a culinary world where Filipino cuisine will no longer be at the sidelines but will instead be at the center of the global stage.
“Having a premium Filipino product in the market is crucial,” Navarra points out. “One thing that may surprise people is that it’s Filipino.”
“It’s about time we push Filipino culinary innovation to the fore,” says Siy. “I think for the longest time, we’ve been hesitant to do that. We always look for validation first before we start talking about it.”
“Before we can do that, we have to champion and support each other. We don’t do enough to uplift each other,” she adds. “There’s so much talent here, and it deserves to be recognized globally.”
Baken is available nationwide, and ships orders to Singapore and Australia. With new international markets to be announced soon, the brand is poised to be at the forefront of championing Filipino culinary creativity internationally. As Carrasco and her team continues to widen the reach of Baken, its journey to foreign markets is far from over, but it is already on its way to cementing a legacy that can inspire other Filipino innovators to do the same.
To experience Baken in a unique culinary adventure with Baken 1104, book your slot now at The Seven Pantry. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, and pre-payment is required to confirm your slot.
A version of this article originally appeared on Rolling Stone Philippines’ The Guilty Pleasures of Showbiz Gossip Issue, published May 2025.
