Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Guatelara.
Hi Mark, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised in the Philippines, came to the US as an exchange student, worked my way up through different restaurants and hotels in Orlando, Chicago, and then Texas. I was also part of multiple events in Dallas like Symphony of Chefs, The Taste of the Cowboys, The Dallas Zoo to Do and cooking demos at the Dallas Arboretum. Then I went ahead and opened Live by Loews in Arlington where I was the Chef de Cuisine for the fine dining steakhouse and some outlets.
Then Covid-19 happened, I was on furlough more than a year, then the memory of how life back home in the Philippines came back, where it is all about the community. So, I opened Ober Here which focuses on being there for the community. Especially late night eats when everything I closed while showcasing Filipino flavors.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any business, it has not been a smooth ride. Even with the background I have, nobody knew me in Fort Worth. So, I started from scratch and had to build relationships, let them try my food, stayed consistent and determined. then the community embraced the food and we are where we are now because of them, my frens.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What we offer is an experience of Filipino flavors (not entirely the dishes but flavors) to people who are not familiar with it. And for those who are familiar with Filipino flavors, they get a slight nostalgic experience of flavors they already had.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
BE KIND. have a plan. stay determined. stay true to your cause. be consistent. and trust your product and the community.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @eat.oberhere
- Facebook: @eat.oberhere
