Chef Cristina Santiago fondly recalls memories with her father, Carmelo “Melo” Santiago. She keeps his memory alive at her new fine dining steakhouse, where she continues to follow his teachings.
Behind every successful restaurant is a family. For Cristina Santiago, that family is the heart of Melo’s Steaks, her father’s famous culinary legacy.
Embracing the heat of the kitchen and the warmth of her heritage, Cristina has taken her father’s vision and added her own unique touch. She has transformed Carmelo’s into a symbol of culinary excellence, family values, and intergenerational pride.
As we approach Father’s Day, we can’t ignore the impact of Carmelo “Melo” Santiago on his daughter’s life and the Philippine food scene. His teachings, advice, and love have all shaped Cristina’s thriving career and the lasting success of his restaurant.
Through the ups and downs of the culinary world, Cristina has kept her father’s guidance close. It has become a guiding light that illuminates her path, her restaurant, and her life.
In this intimate conversation, Cristina talks about her roots, life lessons, and vision for the future of Carmelo’s.
READ ALSO: Tasty Sights: 5 Tantalizing Movies And Shows For Foodies
Family Flame
Cristina, the daughter of steak expert Melo Santiago, now leads Carmelo’s at The Proscenium Retail Row at Rockwell.
She shares her experience of growing up with a father known as the Guru of Steaks in the Philippines.
“I find it a blessing because he had a talent for recognizing good food,” she said. “So, I inherited that talent.” Cristina recalls her dad saying, “It’s not good. Let’s not waste our calories.”
With just one taste, her dad Carmelo could tell if food was good or not, and they would leave the restaurant if it wasn’t. That’s how much Carmelo valued quality.
Cristina learned this from her father. She mentioned that even if it’s just bread, if it’s really good, she can eat it all day.
Mixing Memories
When asked about a childhood memory that influenced her career, Cristina shared a special moment.
She said, “My mom bakes in the kitchen, and my dad cooks. He’s basically our cook and in charge of our food.”
“One day, I told my mom I wanted to go to the kitchen. I watched her bake, and the next morning, I told the maids I was going to make pancakes. I was six or seven years old and all I wanted was to use the hand mixer without making a mess.”
Cristina recalled her dad seeing her making pancakes and being pleased with how tidy she kept the kitchen. She mentioned that something about baking intrigued her, and she eventually went to culinary school, which made her dad very happy.
This is one of the childhood memories that she cherishes now that she’s a chef and restaurateur.
Sweet Surprise
Cristina mentioned that both she and her dad have a sweet tooth. “We love sweets, we love ice cream. Anything chocolate. So, I created my first dessert for Melo’s, which is chocolate cake.”
The chef explained that their family business went through several names before settling on “Melo’s,” named after her dad.
When Lifestyle Asia asked Cristina what attracted her to her dad’s world, she replied, “I enjoy it.”
“I enjoy it and I’m always curious. I like what he’s doing and I want to learn,” she added.
She shared that entering culinary school was intense, studying for eight hours in the heat. “That’s when I realized I really enjoyed it. I can bake for 24 or 48 hours without complaining. Even cook!” she laughed.
The way Cristina talks about baking, cooking, and managing Carmelo’s is truly inspiring. Her eyes sparkle, showing how much she loves what she’s doing.
The Bittersweet Beauty of Love and Loss
Legacy can take many different forms. When we asked Cristina how it feels to continue her father’s legacy, she became emotional, mentioning how deeply it affects her to talk about him.
“When I opened Carmelo’s, I dedicated it to him. I’ve continued his legacy,” she said. Cristina mentioned that she closed the restaurant when her father passed away, saying, “I really couldn’t keep it open. I had to close it for a while.”
She recalled, “When he was in the hospital, he said, ‘When I get out, let’s open Carmelo’s in Greenbelt.’ I said, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’ But a month later, he passed away.”
At first, Cristina was hesitant about reopening the restaurant until she saw a spot in Rockwell. She told herself, “This is it. I’m going to continue his legacy. Everything he taught me, I’ll apply.”
Carmelo’s new location felt like an answered prayer. One day, Cristina saw the new retail development at Proscenium and thought it was the perfect location to reopen Carmelo’s.
By chance, the spot she hoped for was awarded to her after a casual application, constant coordination with the building’s management, and countless novenas.
She had a vision for Carmelo’s from the moment she saw the spot. “Everything you see here is my vision. I made sure the design and execution had my stamp of approval,” she said.
Describing the look, she added, “There’s this allure when you enter that’s very different from anything in Manila. I wanted a warm and inviting glow while dining, with the gold mesh curtains reflecting the warm lights. To me, it’s pure magic!”
A Father’s Legacy, a Daughter’s Dream
Growing up, we face different obstacles that require the advice of our parents. Cristina said that one piece of advice had a significant impact on her career.
It was when she felt copied, and her dad said, “If they’re copying you, you are in front of them, and they’re just behind you. You’re the one that’s on top of them, Cristina.”
Cristina shared a wonderful story about Carmelo’s new home in Rockwell. She mentioned that she saw her dad’s close friend, who also lives in Rockwell, one time.
The family friend asked how Cristina got the place in Rockwell because it’s so hard to get there. During their conversation, her dad’s friend said, “You know, your dad’s been trying to get a place for almost three years.”
That was the first time Cristina heard about it. She had no idea her father had been eyeing a place in Rockwell. It felt like fate had led her there.
The Comfort of Familiar Foods
When asked about her proudest moment at Carmelo’s, Cristina smiled and said, “It’s when they enter, and I see their face light up, and they say, ‘It’s beautiful,’ like ‘wow.’ It’s that ‘wow’ moment. When I was creating Carmelo’s, I wanted to create that magic. I want to feel that magic, and I want to see it in their faces. So when they enter, and I see it, it fulfills me.”
As chefs and cooks, people often wonder what their favorite food is. Cristina shared that both she and her dad usually favor appetizers like oysters, gambas, and most importantly, mussels.
She mentioned that whenever they travel, they always look for mussels. It’s a memory of her dad. “I made sure that we have it here, so I have that memory,” she said.
Cristina then shared, “You’d never guess what the other one is, it’s McDonald’s. He swears by the cheeseburger.” And we all laughed. It’s been their comfort food, something they enjoy together.
The True Wealth of Happiness
When asked about what true wealth and luxury mean to her, Cristina emphasized happiness. “Happiness, really, and peace. That’s my true wealth, and of course, health. You only have good health if you’re happy and at peace,” she said.
If there’s one thing Cristina wishes she could tell her father this Father’s Day about how the restaurant has evolved, it’s to ask, “Are you proud of me now?”
She explained, “I always used to ask him every morning, ‘Are you proud of me now?’ That’s what I would want to hear him say, ‘I’m so proud of you.’”
Speaking as if her dad were still there, she added, “I hope you’re proud. This is really for you, to continue the legacy you left for us. I just really want to make you proud.”
Keeping the Promise
A lesson from her father that Cristina finds herself frequently sharing with others is about forgiveness. “Always forgive. It will hinder all the blessings if you don’t forgive.”
Cristina also mentioned that she wants to emulate her dad’s social nature. She recalls him knowing a lot of people. He would move from table to table, not just exchanging pleasantries but having meaningful conversations and making friends.
When asked for her special message or tribute to her father this Father’s Day, Cristina became emotional again and asked if she could speak as if she were talking to him.
“I have a lot of things to say, but I’ll keep it simple. I miss you. This one’s for you, Pa. This is me continuing your legacy.”
Keeping the Memory Alive
Cristina’s love for her father shines through in everything she does. For her, Carmelo’s Steakhouse isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a tribute to her dad. She wants to make him proud by carrying on his legacy and honoring his teachings.
In her own way, Cristina adds her personal touch to every aspect of Carmelo’s. She wants it to stand out, not just as another restaurant, but as a place that reflects her father and her love for him.
This Father’s Day, let’s remember to honor our fathers and father figures just like Cristina does. Her deep bond with her dad reminds us of the importance of treasuring our loved ones every single day.
All photos courtesy of Cristina Santiago.
