The possibility of balancing studies or day jobs while pursuing one’s passion is a question asked by most people these days. While it is easy to dream of waking up and doing what you actually love–it takes guts and desire for new things to make it happen.
That is what Bryan Maglanque realized when he started to share his love for baking on his channel, Mortar and Pastry. “I have had this entrepreneurial spirit ever since I was in high school. And I love discovering new things and exploring other fields which help me grow and channel my creativity.”
It was in November 2017 when Bryan uploaded his very first video, Cassava Cake Recipe (Filipino Dessert), and found himself encouraged to bring more of his passion to life online. Now, Bryan is one of the most followed local cooking creators, with over 369,000 subscribers on Mortar and Pastry.
Falling in love in the kitchen
A registered pharmacist by profession, Bryan shares that he developed a passion for food as he grew up watching his mother prepare meals and experiment with ingredients in their home kitchen. “I started cooking and preparing meals for the entire household at a young age of 14. My mom taught me all the basics and from there, I started creating savory dishes for our family and eventually ended up falling in love with sweets.”
Growing up, Bryan had an inkling for business and sold homemade baked goods at school. “Whenever I had time at home, I tried out various recipes such as empanadas, ham and cheese rolls, and leche flans, which I sold at school and helped cover my school expenses and daily allowances.”
From then on, he pursued the sweet side of cooking and focused on learning how to create breads, pastries, and traditional Filipino desserts. When asked about what he loves about baking, Bryan says “Nothing beats preparing something for your loved ones and seeing their priceless reactions.”
Bringing his passion online
Dedicated to sharing his knowledge and showcasing his craft online, Bryan wanted a name that captures two of his personal loves: being a pharmacist and a baker. One of the most used equipment in the kitchen and in the medical industry, mortar and pestle, became his inspiration for the name of his channel.
An avid fan of watching tutorials, how-tos, and cake decorating, he turned to open his own channel, “Having a platform that allows me to help and influence people is amazing. It makes me happy that I can share my knowledge with people, especially those who are also dedicated to learning baking but do not have resources to do so.”
He remembers feeling excited and over-the-moon when he uploaded his very first video, which now has over 95,000 views. He shares that it is the positive feedback from his subscribers that gives value to his passion and keeps him motivated to continue creating sweets and videos.
“Many people have shared that they get ideas for school cooking projects, home-based businesses, and even desserts for family parties through my videos. There are also those who ask questions about costings and I am more than happy to give them an idea on how a simple recipe costs. These simple comments of joy and appreciation, and feeling that I can give them a resource to support their needs, is a motivation for me to strive more and continue creating great recipes.”
Cooking up a bright future for the young baker
“I am considering expanding my content to featuring baking events and expos, as well as showcase some local bakeries and cake shops to help our industry,” said Bryan when asked about his plans for his channel for the new year.
Outside of his channel, he reveals that he has plans to open his own business in the future. “I am currently working on a business plan and recipe development for a pandesal business. I’ve been wanting to start my own business and practice my craft and serve people even more.”
When asked about his advice for individuals who want to give baking a try, “Just start with what you have. Sometimes, all you need is already in your kitchen. Keep on practicing and improvement will come. Learn continuously and surround yourself with great cooks and bakers.”
If you’re looking for a new hobby to try, eager to learn how to bake, or if you simply have a sweet tooth, subscribe to Bryan’s YouTube channel.
