BY: JOBETH BEJASA AND ASTELBE SALATIC (BSU INTERNS)
Just from its crispiness and aroma, this fried chicken will surely make you hungry.
But did you know that this fried chicken isn’t made from chicken?
It’s actually made from mushrooms!
When it comes to taste, this is the pride of Alex’s restaurant in Baguio City.
Alex, a former nurse in the United States, started getting into mushroom-based food in 2019 because of its health benefits.
That’s when he and his siblings decided to start a business in the Philippines.
Their goal was to introduce mushrooms to the masses.
Their oyster mushroom farm in Atok, Benguet, has been a huge help in their venture.
At first, their product wasn’t an instant hit.
But just like mushrooms, their customers started sprouting one after another.
Before, they could only sell about 10 pieces of mushroom fried chicken, but now they sell more than 200.
Each week, they earn around 20,000 pesos.
The cooking process isn’t much different from regular fried chicken.
First, the mushrooms are cleaned and boiled for five minutes.
After that, they are taken out and shaped.
Then, they are coated with their special breading mix and fried.
They also offer different flavors, including Cheesy Jalapeño, Salted Egg, and Sour Cream.
One of their regular customers is a student named Denzel.
He says it’s perfect as both a snack and a meal.
Alex’s business also helps provide livelihood opportunities for people in Atok.
Their journey of hard work and perseverance serves as an inspiration for success.
