THE F. Torres Street in recent years has become one of the major food districts in Davao City.
One of the restaurants in this booming food district is Shatter Persian Kebab, owned by husband and wife Carlo Jake Orbase and Maria Rebecca Orbase. The restaurant has become known for its delicious kebabs and middle-eastern inspired dishes.
The couple assumed the restaurant in May 2015 after its owners, who were Iranians left. However, it was not a smooth ride when they started operating the restaurant. The restaurant then was located beside the Davao Wisdom Academy.
Noi said he was very hesitant for them to assume the restaurant as he was still studying culinary at the Most Institute Culinary School Davao - Islacare, Inc. However, they took the risk and assumed Shatter Persian Kebab.
One of the challenges they initially faced was the recipe of the food on the menu
"Pag-assume namo ani, nangayo ko sa headcook nila sa recipe para i-check nako unsay tama o mali [pero] nihawa [siya] with the recipe (When we assumed the business, I asked for the recipe from their (original owners) headcook to check what I am doing right or wrong but then he left with the recipe)," Noi said, adding that they had to close the store for a week just to figure out the recipe.
He added that they did trial and errors on the recipe by serving it to the public, which Noi said was very risky on their part.
"It was risky at that time kay first impression sa customer tapos dili sila ganahan, di na mu-balik (because if the first impression of the customer is not good, they will not come back)," Noi said.
After so much trial and errors, they were able to standardized their recipes by the time they transferred to their current location at Davao Autoville Center, F. Torres Street, just beside Yoh Froz.
Noi said in order for them to improve their products, he and his wife travelled to the United States (US) and visited restaurants offering Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Cuisine.
While at the US, they asked for tips on the two cuisines from the restaurant owners, which were happy to share to him and his wife points on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Cuisine.
To ensure that their products are as authentic as it can be, Noi said it is important that they have the right ingredients.
"To capture the authenticity, as much as possible, all the ingredients are there," Noi said, adding that some of the spices they have to import it.
At present, the Shatter Persian Kebab has become one of the popular restaurants offering middle-eastern inspired dishes. The restaurant offers hummus, kebab, koobideh (Iranian meat kabab), among others.
Aside from the Shatter Persian Kebab, they now have a new food establishment, Baba Ganoush, which is located at the recently opened food park, Boxed Up. Baba Ganoush offers mainly Mediterranean-inspired dishes to its diners.
Noi said they went for the Mediterranean-inspired dishes because the cuisine's dishes are healthier as it has a lot of recipes with vegetables and most of the dishes does not have pork.
He also added they will also soon include additional Mediterranean-inspired dishes at the Shatter Persian Kebab.
Visit Shatter Persian Kebab at Davao Autoville Center, F. Torres Street, just beside Yoh Froz while their Baba Ganoush is located at Boxed Up, Doña Vicenta Village.