What started as a simple kitchen for medical students has blossomed into one of Cebu’s trusted catering businesses, with an added touch of heart and health.
Dr. Michele Bathan-Vatanagul never planned to enter the food business. Michele and her husband Dr. Jarungchai Anton S. Vatanagul owns the Cracking D’ Boards Study & Review Inc. She opened a dormitory for the review students. To support their stay-in program, Michele decided to provide meals for them. That’s when she hired Chef Eddie Chua, whose cooking soon captured more than just the taste buds of the students
“His food was delicious,” Michele recalls. “We asked him if he was willing to expand into catering—and that’s how it all began.”
Starting with just one booking a month, Gourmet Secrets catering clients increased considerably. However, Michele insisted on maintaining quality over quantity. “We kept on accepting orders, but we soon realized we needed to set limits to maintain quality service,” she explained.
She also saw the business as a way to uplift her staff. She enrolled them in Hotel and Restaurant Management courses, equipping them with skills in service and food preparation.
Today, Gourmet Secrets counts big companies among its loyal clients, but Michele believes their edge lies in generosity. “Clients tell us that with Gourmet Secrets, the food feels unlimited. If you order for 100 guests, we make sure more than 100 can eat,” she says. “And we never take back leftovers—everything prepared belongs to the customer.”
Their menu reflects both flexibility and Filipino favorites: pork barbecue, humba, fresh lumpia, choco banana cupcakes, and leche flan are among their bestsellers. Special requests are also welcome, as long as the chef knows how to prepare them.
During the pandemic, Gourmet Secrets shifted to packed meals. “We also joined charity initiatives,” Michele shares. “It was our way of helping during that difficult time.”
But beyond catering, Michele’s personal passion lies in culinary medicine. “I really, really love cooking,” she says. “Now I’m taking a lifestyle medicine course, which is culinary medicine. For those with diabetes or hypertension, I can design meals suited to their health needs. For those who want weight loss, I can create specific menus.”
She advocates for healthier lifestyle choices.. “Soon, we will be able to expand our catering with more wholesome and nutritious dishes, giving our customers a wider variety of healthy options to enjoy. Through our food offerings, we aim to make every gathering not just delicious, but also nourishing. This is our way of supporting lifestyle medicine—helping individuals and communities prevent chronic disease, improve overall well-being, and experience the joy of healthy living without compromising on taste,” Michele explains.
Through this advocacy, Gourmet Secrets hopes to inspire people to see that wellness can be celebrated at the table.
Michele also plans to offer ‘meal in a box’ and one-on-one consultations, extending Gourmet Secrets beyond celebrations and using it as a platform to promote healthier living.
