This Filipino American History Month, we’re highlights Laura Dadap, founder of Djablo Sauce! Learn about the origins of Djablo Sauce and how Laura’s Filipino heritage has shaped her business.
Q: How did you start Djablo Sauce?
My father has been fine-tuning the recipe for decades, marinating and serving all of our food with different versions of it, and our family would take jars of it home on the holidays. When my now-husband first tried it, he drank it like a shot, and we asked my father to make a few hundred small jars to give out at our wedding as a favor. The owner of a hot sauce tasting room in Brooklyn got one of our favors and guided us through starting our brand. Seven years later, we’ve been on a season of Hot Ones and TODAY.
Q: How has your Filipino Heritage shaped your business?
My dad raised us to be proud Filipino Americans, but I noticed there was not a lot of representation for the language that I grew up hearing my father speak (Cebuano) and the foods that he would cook for us. Introducing people to the flavors that were born out of my Lola’s kitchen not only gives me a sense of purpose and belonging rooted in my family’s origins, but it also brings me joy when our products bring out a sense of home for people who are not familiar with the flavors of the Visayas.
Q: What is your favorite thing about LIC?
I was born and raised in Queens and am so proud to operate our business out of LIC. From the waterfront to the abundance of incredible small businesses to support, and its easy access to so many different places in the city by train, bus, or ferry— it is a perfect hub to work AND play!
