Actress and restaurateur Judy Ann Santos has worn many hats through the years—movie star, producer, wife, mom, and chef. But if she were to add another one to the list, it would be “teacher.”
The award-winning actress revealed during her launch as the new brand ambassador of Kyowa that she dreams of one day putting up a small cooking school for moms, students, and young people who want to learn their way around the kitchen.
“I really want to put up my own little school and teach kids someday,” she shared.
“Probably new moms or college students who enjoy watching Judy Ann’s Kitchen. I want to teach them not to be scared of taking risks in the kitchen and actually learn a skill because cooking is a survival skill.”
Known for her passion for food and her restaurant Angrydobo, Judy Ann said her culinary journey started as a way to prove something to herself—and to her daughter.
“I wanted to prove to my eldest daughter that I was able to finish something,” she said.
“It was my decision not to go to college, so I wanted her to see that I could still work hard for a certificate. She might say, ‘Why should I go to college when you didn’t?’” she added with a laugh.
She took a professional culinary course years ago, taking six months off from acting to study full-time. What began as a fallback plan eventually became a new chapter in her career.
“Being an actor is not a lifetime job,” Judy Ann admitted. “You have to be prepared for the time when no one wants to hire you anymore. I’m proud that I can still make something out of what I learned.”
She believes that learning and teaching others to cook, no matter how simple, is one of the most empowering things anyone can do for themselves and their family.
“Cooking for yourself is very important,” she said. “You have to at least know how to boil water,” she added. “I think that’s the highest level—knowing how to teach others, especially your kids, to cook for themselves.”
She said that among all the modern kitchen gadgets out there, she gravitates toward Kyowa because its reliable tools make everyday cooking simple.
“There are so many new appliances now trying to prove something—3-in-1, 4-in-1, 25-in-1—that you end up not knowing what to do with them. Sometimes you just want something simple that works.”
Kyowa chief operations officer Eugene Go said the company’s partnership with Judy Ann reflects their shared values of trust and authenticity.
“We know trust is not given, it is earned,” Go said. “As we look forward, Kyowa remains committed to earning that trust by listening, supporting, and building relationships with Filipino families.”
