For Geri Lamata, Healthy Home Cooking Is a Love Language

Food has always been Geri Lamata’s life. Whether she’s cooking for her family, hosting loved ones at home, or sharing recipes on Instagram and TikTok (@geri.lamata), every meal she makes is an opportunity to bring people together.

Known for her quick recipes and food recommendations that strike a good balance between everyday meals and elegant dinners, she’s warm and well-spoken—such a gem to stumble upon amid the usual pool of news and memes—and carries herself with an easy confidence that makes you feel you can definitely cook, too. Geri just lights up when she talks about food, and there’s no wonder she’s become the star of the family kitchen and your feed.

As we observe National Nutrition Month in the Philippines, Smart Parenting gets to know Geri in her element—how she turned her passion into content, how motherhood has changed the way she cooks, and why healthy eating doesn’t have to mean perfect meals.

How did your journey in food begin, and how did it eventually lead to content creation?

GL: I went to culinary school at Enderun. While I was still studying, I started my own food business, Baba’s Kitchen, and ran it for 10 years. I sold frozen chorizo, tapa, dips, sauces—basically, all the food I made at home. Eventually, the business grew to the point that I had my own commissary.

After that, I took a two-year break and went into full housewife mode, which was lovely. Later, my friends—especially Angela (now her videographer and gym trainer) and Ava (Daza-Zanirato)—encouraged me to make a video just to try out [content creation]. I’m not shy, but I’d never really been in front of the camera for videos before. I decided to give it a shot anyway, and it just worked. People liked it and kept asking for more recipes. I’ve been creating content for about a year and three months now.

Where does your passion for food come from?

GL: Definitely from my family. Both my mom’s and my dad’s sides love cooking and eating. Our family gatherings revolve around food. Whenever we travel, the first thing we ask is, “Where are we going to eat?”

By the time I was around 14 or 15, I was already learning how to cook from my mom. Eventually, I studied culinary arts because food has always been a huge part of our lives. Everything is centered around food.

How did becoming a mom change the way you cook?

GL: It changed a lot. Before, I loved making dishes that were a bit more complicated. Now, I try to focus more on family meals. It’s not because my son is picky—he actually isn’t—but because I’m busier. I have more responsibilities now, so simplifying meals saves me a lot of time.

How did motherhood influence the kind of content you create?

GL: I noticed that many of my audience are moms looking for quick, nutritious meals they can prepare after work or cook ahead and freeze. That’s when I decided I wanted to share recipes that genuinely help make everyday family life easier.

What are some of your family’s favorite meals?

GL: We eat a lot of salmon. I especially like baked salmon because you just marinate it, put it in the oven, and let it cook. My son also loves pasta, so I’ll make something like Bolognese, but I’ll blend vegetables into the sauce so he still gets the nutrition without large vegetable chunks. I also love making stews because they keep well. They’re hearty, comforting, and easy to reheat.

What’s the nicest thing Andres has ever said about your cooking?

GL: Whenever he really likes something, he absolutely loves it. Sometimes, I’ll tell him, “Someone else cooked this.” He’ll immediately ask, “Why? Why didn’t you cook it? Your cooking is better.” I’m always like, “Yes!” (laughs) He genuinely thinks my cooking is the best.

Sometimes, I’ll tell him what I’m making for dinner, and if it’s one of his favorite meals, he’ll say, “I love you so much.” He’s definitely motivated by food. I can bribe him with donuts, and he’ll happily do what he needs to do.

You’ve mentioned that your son isn’t a picky eater. How did you encourage him to become an adventurous eater?

GL: I think it’s because of the exposure. Some families prepare separate meals just for the kids—and that’s perfectly okay if that’s what works for them, [but] we don’t do that. Whatever is on the table is what everyone eats. The same goes for restaurants. We don’t choose a place just because it has a kids’ menu. If we’re going to a Japanese restaurant, then he’s eating Japanese food. The only thing we’ve never been able to win against is fruit. I’ve tried everything.

Do you have any tips for parents who are raising picky eaters?

GL: I think it starts with exposing them to different foods from the very beginning. We started [doing this with Andres] when he was very young, so that’s simply what he’s grown up with.

Personally, unless a child has dietary restrictions or allergies, I don’t think there’s a need to prepare separate meals. If you always accommodate very specific requests or keep serving the same foods over and over, they’ll never discover other foods. Sometimes, all they need is the opportunity to try something new.

How can families make mealtimes more enjoyable?

GL: I think it’s about having good conversations. Ask [your kids] about their day or things they’re interested in. We involve Andres, so we ask about school and sports. When he finishes eating, we’ll tell him, “Good job! You finished your food. You can have dessert or a little treat afterward.” Simple things like that make mealtimes more enjoyable.

If someone is intimidated by cooking but wants to start preparing meals for their family, what would you tell them?

GL: I’d tell them it’s completely understandable to feel intimidated. Just start simple. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Cook for yourself first until you build confidence. That way, you’re not so nervous when you eventually cook for other people. Start with dishes like fried rice, adobo, or a simple pasta. Those are great recipes to practice because they’re hard to mess up.

What does a typical day of meals look like in your household?

GL: Breakfast is before school. Lunch used to be around 11:30 or noon when Andres was home, but he’ll be at school all day now. Dinner is at around 7:00. It’s our family meal.

Although sometimes Andres gets so hungry after sports that he’ll ask for food around 5:30, instead of giving him random snacks, I just let him have dinner early so he’s eating a complete, nutritious meal. Sometimes, he’ll eat twice. He’ll have dinner, then when we sit down together, he’ll see what we’re eating and say, “I want that too.” He has a really healthy appetite. That’s why I make sure he stays active.

What do you think is the biggest challenge parents face when trying to prepare healthy meals at home?

GL: I think it’s really time. Of course, in an ideal world, everything would be homemade from scratch using fresh ingredients. But that’s not realistic for everyone, especially working parents. There’s also the cost. Not everyone can afford fresh ingredients all the time, and produce prices in the Philippines fluctuate depending on the season and availability. So I think the biggest challenges are time and budget.

What advice would you give parents who want to cook healthier meals?

GL: First, don’t be afraid to use frozen vegetables. Your kids are still getting the nutrition they need. The same goes for frozen fruit. If your kids love berries, for example, they’re so expensive here. Frozen fruit is a practical and nutritious alternative. It’s also perfectly okay to batch cook, freeze portions, and reheat them later. If you don’t have the time, this can really make life easier.

What’s one misconception about healthy eating that you’d like to debunk?

GL: I think many people believe that healthy eating is difficult or impossible. For me, it’s actually much simpler when you’re cooking at home. You know exactly what’s going into your food. You control the amount of sugar, salt, oil, and everything else. That’s why I believe eating at home is generally the healthiest option.

Finally, what message would you like to share with parents who want to build healthier eating habits at home?

GL: Be adventurous. Cook at home whenever you can. Making everything completely from scratch is the dream, but it’s simply not realistic. Even though I love cooking, I still can’t make everything from scratch all the time. And that’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection.

If most of your family’s meals are homemade and nutritious, it’s fine to let the kids enjoy fast food or fried food once in a while. They’re kids. They should enjoy food, too.

Take it from someone whose love language is food: Small, consistent efforts can go a long way in cooking and eating healthy at home. Whether it’s preparing meals ahead of time, encouraging children to try new foods, or simply making time to eat together, that’s already meaningful for any family.

Editor’s Note: Quotes have been edited for clarity and brevity. Interview by Em Cruz.

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Produced by The Smart Parenting Team

Editor-in-Chief: Ronna Capili Bonifacio

Co-Producer: Em Cruz

Art Director: Yela Lao

Multimedia Producer: Rheyabel Adel

Social Media: Justine Cruz

Videographer: Greeko Junio
Associate Publisher: Bettina Santos

Photographs by Ina Martelino and Diego Nealega of Sproos Creatives

Makeup by Zee Ghielmetti

Hairstyling by Raymart Espina