The pandemic has adversely affected the small businesses especially those in the catering and hospitality industry. Restaurants had been limited to providing take away services. Then a gradual easing of restrictions and the opening of dine-in areas in restaurants and cafes. Despite great loss of revenue with the implementation of these controls, a number of Filipino-Australian businesses have gone out of their way to extend help to international students who lost their part-time jobs due to the closure or reduced operations of their employers.
One of these benevolent businesses is Sydney Cebu Lechon located at 80 Enmore Road, Newtown. Before the pandemic it was one of the restaurants trending not just with Filipino-Australians but the wider community which got introduced to its signature dish of roasted pork. The owner of this restaurant is 44 year old Will Mahusay, of Wentworth Point.
How did Sydney Cebu Lechon get involved in reaching out to the international students?
Will shares:
"After witnessing so many people were affected because of Covid19 (people lost their jobs, no regular income) I had to do something, and it was around mid March that I shared my intention to help those in need to Henry Paraan from Mate Burger. I shared with him my plans and he did not hesitate to participate and help me.
"I started a Gofundme campaign for this Foodit Forward initiative around the 3rd week of March and our goal was to raise $4,000 which would allow us to prepare and give out a minimum of 400 meals packs for the month of May.
"In the end we raised just over $3,200 and we still managed to give out more than 500 meal packs for the month of May.
"In addition, this was not expected at all, but we were surprised to find out that Sydney Cebu Lechon received an award nomination for the Foodit Forward initiative by the media company TimeOut Sydney. [https://www.timeout.com/sydney/things-to-do/time-in-awards]
What is Sydney Cebu Lechon's story?
"Long story short; our family migrated from Cebu to Sydney in 1987 and due to home-sickness my parents started cooking Cebu Lechon as it was one of their ways to feel connected back to the Philippines.
"It was 1991 when my parents started accepting orders for Cebu Lechon and that’s when the catering business started; but back then it was known to the Filipino Community as Fred & Fely Mahusay’s Cebu Lechon. In 2016 when my parents decided to retire; I also decided that same year to continue what they have started.
"My parents have been running the catering business for more than two decades and it just made sense for me to keep it going; so I made a decision to leave my corporate job and work for myself.
"I rebranded it, and named the company Sydney Cebu Lechon, and it was also the same year where my dream couldn’t be more clearer that one day Filipino food will be well-known and Sydney Cebu Lechon would play a role in that process.
The improvements that Will has continually put in the operations of the business have resulted in the restaurant gaining more followers and recently been given the recognition of being nominated and becoming a finalist of Local Business Awards for Inner West.
In terms of what advice he can give to those who are considering establishing a business, Will said:
"Do your due-diligence/research, take your time and don’t rush the process and be very patient and try to let things take form organically where possible. Don’t be afraid to fail and be flexible in this ever changing landscape and make sure to take care of your team as they’ll look after your customers, and embrace the customers who give constructive feedback and the customers that don’t; they play a role in developing your character. Be confident, give to the community and help; don’t be shy to have fun along the way, and be open to opportunities and remember to save for a rainy day."
The Will Mahusay Story
Will who was born in Cebu City, has five siblings and is the second eldest of the children of Fred and Fely Mahusay who are also both from Cebu City. The family migrated to Australia in 1987.
He completed advanced courses in Marketing, Business Administration and Management at Martin College in Darlinghurst, Sydney. He had years of experience being Account Manager for a number of organisations, including being Senior Business Development of Groupon, Course and Career Advisor in Open Colleges to name a few. He then decided to continue the family's business and follow his passion of promoting the Filipino culture and cuisine.
(L-R: Yana Gilbuena (Kamayan Queen and author of the the book No Forks Given;
Film maker/Director of the movie Ulam, Alexandra Cuerdo and Will Mahusay)
Asked what he holds in his heart as to what he has achieved in Australia, Will said:
"In the context of career/business, it would have to be the achievement of being able to represent Filipino cuisine in such a competitive industry. As a minority (Filipino cuisine being the minority) it’s very difficult to operate in an industry where you have many established and successful restaurants all around the neighbourhood. What we have been doing in the last several years has helped in introducing the wonderful flavours of filipino food here in Sydney/Mainstream Australia.
"I wish to keep on representing the Filipino community and continue to introduce our cuisine to non-Pinoys."
"I’d like to point out one challenge which most of us have been overwhelmed with, and that is the economic downturn caused by Covid19. Back in March it became clear if we don’t think outside the box we may not survive. We’re still operating right now because of our ability to adapt, persevere and hard-work. We believe this was some of the many things we did that helped us overcome the situation. We still have a long way to but we are glad to know that we are heading in a positive direction."
In closing, we ask Will what is his definition of success. He said:
"With regard to success, I’m still learning and failing, developing and growing. What I’ve learnt so far about success is that it is being able to find out or seek out and know your purpose, proactively grow to reach your potential; not being scared to fail and being ready to change or learn, and try not to get tired of giving and helping that benefit others."