Chief to Chef: Transforming His Community Through Taste

Chad’s Cafe Bar and Grill CEO and Head Chef Richard Gomez

Establishing a new venture in today's competitive landscape presents challenges. Yet, CEO and Head Chef Richard Gomez and his restaurant, Chad's Cafe, Bar & Grill distinguish themselves with their community-focused approach. A former police officer, Mr. Gomez became an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), beginning his journey as a dishwasher in Madrid. There he discovered his passion for cooking. Late last year, fulfilled his dream by opening Chad’s Cafe, Bar & Grill in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

Mr. Gomez offers a glimpse into his business philosophy: “Hindi tulad ng ibang establisyimento, ang Chad's Cafe Bar and Grill ay isang masiglang tahanan na nagbubuklod sa buong komunidad.” A claim supported by his many community-driven initiatives run through his restaurant. He hosts art workshops for the locals and transforms plastic waste into stylish furniture and tables to sell or donate. Proceeds from these sales help fund his community clinic.

This approach quickly attracted sizable groups of 40 to 100 people from neighboring provinces. However, this growth didn’t come without challenges. “At first, it was hard to promote,” Mr. Gomez recalls. So, post lang kami ng post sa social media. Pinapa-like namin yung Chad’s Cafe Bar and Grill.” Limited connectivity made online interactions with clients difficult. Still, these efforts strengthened their commitment to serving their growing community, laying the foundation for the warm and thriving venue Chad’s Cafe Bar and Grill is today.

The restaurant turned to Converge flexiBIZ to meet its connectivity needs. Commenting on the change, Mr. Gomez remarked, “Napakalaki ang tulong ng Converge as a service provider dito sa Chad’s Cafe, Bar, and Grill. Mabilis namin na sasagot yung inquiries” - enhancing the restaurant's customer service through faster online query responses. The faster internet has boosted customer service and allowed them to offer free, reliable Wi-Fi to guests. This has also increased the restaurant’s visibility as customers share photos and videos online while supporting the promotion of their community initiatives through social media.

Mr. Gomez’s community-centric approach is not limited to his local community but also to his employees. Empowering them through continuous learning, for reasons Mr. Gomez says best: “Dapat tuloy-tuloy ang pag-a-aral, kasi ng nagbabago yung technology sa paggawa ng pagkain.” Their education, now fiber-powered, enables him and his staff to continue to find new and exciting ways of cooking and food preparation- to the delight of their customers.

Mr. Gomez and his restaurant exemplify hard work and dedication, transforming not only his own life but also the lives of everyone, with his food and service touch. The restaurant's partnerships with Converge have proven transformative, addressing a critical business aspect. This allows him and his staff to concentrate on their core strengths: delivering exceptional customer experience and serving their community with dedication and expertise.