From hosting to cooking: How Donita Rose made her way into the hearts of Filipinos

Donita Rose may be known in the culinary scene now, but before she became a chef, kids of the 90s would know that she first rose to fame as a top VJ for an Asian music channel. So how did she make her way from hosting to cooking?

It all started in Singapore where she was based during her VJ duties. Even with her busy schedule, Donita has always found a way to cook, dabbling in Singapore-Malay cuisine with gusto, leading her to pursue a culinary degree in the United States. It was there where she got her kitchen training as she got internships in top establishments, such as the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

The budding chef decided to move back to Manila, tagging along her son, JP, following her heartbreak from the breakdown of her marriage. Despite that, Donita has found the strength to turn around her personal life and grow her new career, as she chose to focus on what has always been her passion—cooking. 

It was in 2015 when she became a brand ambassador for Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil. Along with it came a cooking show, Heart Mate Kitchen, where she cooks well-loved Pinoy meals that are good for the heart.

Now on its second season, Heart Mate Kitchen showcases Donita’s cooking skills as she helps several celebrities. Those include stars like Mikael Daez, who wonders what he can cook to take on his out-of-town trip, Camille Prats as she looks for the perfect slumber party chow for her son, and Zoren Legaspi, who is on the lookout for family weekend food that can help his kids eat their vegetables. Other guests include Julie Anne San Jose, Rocco Nacino, Yasmien Kurdi, and Jason Abalos.

Donita Rose is also out to help ordinary Filipinos with their kitchen woes through the Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil’s Facebook Page using the hashtag #AskDonita.

Though Donita loves cooking and eating, one thing she really makes sure is using healthy ingredients high in good fats and low in bad fats. Donita’s recipes use the heart-healthy Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil. It contains the lowest amount of saturated fat, which are bad fats, among all cooking oils, and has Vitamin A, Omega 3 and 6.  It is also ideal for different cooking methods and dishes, from sautéing to deep-frying, the creation of sauces, and desserts.

Visit the Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil Facebook page to watch the episodes: www.facebook.com/JollyHeartMateCanolaOil.