Everybody needs a little Lava
IT takes a match made in heaven to conceive Fudge and Lava By Fudge—cozy home away from home food place concepts located all over Metro Cebu. Augie Ordoñez Lontok, a chef and hotelier, and Cathlene Guy Lontok met in Plantation Bay in 2001 where the former was the food and beverage manager and the latter was in charge of sports and recreation.
Augie had formal training in Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland, and has had experience as food and beverage director of Radisson Blu Cebu and general manager of the restaurant in Kandaya Resort in Daan Bantayan, Cebu. He is now a retired hotel consultant. Cathlene is a self-taught home baker and a graduate of Business Administration from St. Theresa’s College.
It all started in 2009 as Fudge opened as a confectionery store that seemed to come straight out of Candyland. The place in Banilad, Cebu City exudes an evocative aroma of melted chocolate but also serves savory meals. Cathlene did her wonders with her showstoppers and sweet sensations till her second Fudge branch in 2013 in Ayala Center Cebu. Augie decided to incorporate specialties like pumpkin soup with bonito Japanese dancing flakes. Fudge also has arguably the best salpicao in town and adobo ravioli. Main course faves are its quesadillas and Korean beef stew, and a foursome lava cake.
Eventually, the brand created Lava By Fudge, focusing more on desserts.
One of Cathlene’s most powerful childhood memories was the scrumptious, promising aroma of her Grandma Adelina Tan’s Spanish bread, banana bread and egg pie. There were other hits as well like the famed frozen lemon pie, layers of chocolate, meringue, peanut butter and ice cream delight.
The family’s blueprint for success is creating and maintaining a good family relationship and taking time to enjoy a meal without stress. The second generation learns to cook and bake on a lazy Sunday. Values and virtues are excellent in the Lontok home. Celebrations are traditions for them. Fudge and Lava By Fudge are magic on their own and gifts from the heart.