Jordy Navarra, Barangay Toyo’s head honcho, doesn’t command attention—at least not in the way you would expect from a celebrated and decorated chef. He prefers to stay in the background, rarely stepping into the spotlight. But spend enough time in his company, and his influence becomes hard to miss.
It’s in the way his restaurant staff moves, how they warmly welcome customers into their space, and in the kind of home environment they’ve created for themselves and their guests, one that feels less like a workplace and more like a community. Just ask Paulo Achacoso, Inato’s friendly “front” man.
Before, work was just that—work. At Toyo Eatery, it was different. “It was work na masaya. It wasn’t just about serving food. Early on, I already felt how they were building relationships with their guests.”
Even when Jordy wasn’t physically around, his presence lingered. It was pretty evident in the way they interacted with customers; the way they moved in the kitchen; and the way things are done—with thought and respect.
Finding purpose
Paulo had no prior experience in restaurants. He was in audio production, only stepping into the food world out of curiosity and the yearning to learn a new skill. Bread-making sparked the shift, eventually leading to a gig in Toyo Panaderya. From there, he drifted into Toyo Eatery’s bar, learning cocktails on his breaks and helping in any way he could. In July 2018, he was asked to join the front-of-house.
When trying to learn his new role, no rigid scripts were given. Only one clear instruction—be yourself. “Kung ano yung personality mo, how you would relate to the food and your experience, that’s what you had to show and bring to the table,” he says. “Sasabihin niya sayo kung ano yung dishes and kung bakit sine-serve yun sa menu. He gives more importance to the why than the what.”
Learning never stops
For all his experience, Navarra remains curious. And it’s this genuine interest that makes him easy to connect with. In the case of Paulo, it’s their common love for football that drew them closer together—even if they’re rooting for rival teams. Over time, their conversations led to more things to bond over, consequently building something bigger: trust.
One time, in the process of opening Inato, Paulo questioned why his ideas were rarely accepted at face value and are met with questions instead. “Lagi nya kong nilalabanan. I was early into my career then and hindi ko pa siya naintindihan.”
Eventually, it clicked. Jordy wasn’t really dismissing his ideas; he wanted him to look at things from different perspectives to arrive at a well-informed decision. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and he’s feeding you for a lifetime—it’s that same idea. He won’t give you the answer directly. He will talk with you, question you until you get there yourself.”
It’s a philosophy that sticks because in the end, you don’t just get the answer—you understand it. That’s the thing about Jordy Navarra. He doesn’t need to take up space to shape it. He just builds it strong and stable enough for everyone else to know how to exist inside it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jordy Navarra is the owner and head chef of Toyo Eatery.
Led by Jordy Navarra, Barangay Toyo refers to the collective culinary groups and teams behind the restaurants Toyo Eatery, Inato, and Azukitoyo.
Having no prior restaurant experience before working for Baranagy Toyo, Paulo Achacoso was encouraged to just be himself, to care more about the why than the what, and to think and grow for himself.
Both restaurants are located at The Alley at Karrivin, Karrivin Plaza, 1231 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City, Metro Manila.
