Our Story

Casa Luisa signage reading Locally Made Fine Foods, Est. 2018, San Pedro Laguna

The Heritage Home

Built with Love, Steeped in History

Casa Luisa sits on the highest point of San Pedro, Laguna -- a vintage-style home built in 2018 by Maria Luisa, mother of Chef Jen Gerodias. She envisioned it as a bakasyunan, a welcoming retreat where extended family could gather and reconnect whenever they were in the Philippines.

The two-storey structure is composed of reclaimed wood, visible on the floors and window frames. The furniture, light fixtures, art, kitchen and tableware come from generations of the family who hails from the area. It was built by Maria Luisa along with her team of skilled masons, wood craftsmen, and carpenters who she had worked with for over 40 years -- a homage to her late husband and his family.

Surrounding the home are fruit-bearing trees: mango, balimbing (starfruit), rambutan, atis, cacao, suha (pomelo), kaffir lime, avocado, and coffee. The property also includes a garden estate with a pool, available for weekend rentals and private events.

Casa Luisa kitchen buffet spread with an array of prepared dishes on patterned tile floor

The Chef

Chef Jen Gerodias

Chef Jen describes Casa Luisa as a happy accident. Working as a food business consultant, she happened to have a batch of French onion soup in the fridge and some dough from her commissary. Instead of letting them go to waste, she turned the soup into an empanada filling, added cheese, and served it during a family lunch.

The response was overwhelming. Word spread, orders poured in, and what began as a resourceful kitchen moment became a beloved pandemic-era food business that captured hearts across the Philippines.

Her concept is rooted in Filipino flavors executed with French technique -- a reflection of her culinary training and the many happy food memories she had growing up with her family in Laguna. Every dish draws from meals she has had and eating habits she picked up along the way.

The Journey

From Private Dining to Walk-In Welcome

2018

Maria Luisa builds the heritage home in San Pedro, Laguna as a family retreat, using reclaimed wood and heirloom furnishings collected over generations.

2020

During the pandemic, Chef Jen creates the now-famous French Onion Soup Empanada from leftover ingredients. Casa Luisa is born as a home-based food business.

2021

The empanada line expands to include Mango Sampaguita, Chorizo Fundido, and other inventive flavors. Casa Luisa earns a devoted following through delivery and pickup.

2023

Casa Luisa opens for private dining and introduces pottery classes, merienda cena spreads, and multi-course Filipino feasts in the heritage home setting.

2024

Chef Jen transforms Casa Luisa into a full-service restaurant, now welcoming walk-in guests for brunch, lunch, and merienda cena Tuesday through Sunday.

Today

Rated 4.4 out of 5 by over 230 Google reviewers, Casa Luisa continues to serve locally made fine foods crafted the slow, old-fashioned way.

What We Stand For

Our Values

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Locally Sourced

Products are sourced and produced the slow, old-fashioned way. We use local Lipa honey, fresh kesong puti, and fruits from our own garden.

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Family Heritage

Every element of the home carries a story -- from reclaimed wood floors to heirloom tableware passed through generations of the family.

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Filipino Soul, French Craft

Our cuisine honors traditional Filipino flavors while applying the precision and techniques of French culinary training.