Too Pretty To Eat: Cebuano baker creates ‘portraits’ of Pinoy celebrities in artisan bread

Pastry chef Marlo Lidot and one of his creations, a portraits of President Rodrigo Duterte
Pastry chef Marlo Lidot and one of his creations, a portraits of President Rodrigo Duterte

Hotel pastry chef Marlo Lidot thought his life would change for the better when he was offered a job at a Maldives resort early this year. The 29-year-old was supposed to fly into the island destination in May, but the pandemic put his overseas dreams on hold, and he ended up staying in Cebu City, his hometown.

However, instead of losing hope, Lidot thought of an idea: he could create and sell artisan bread with his customers’ portraits. He could even make portraits of politicians and celebrities. His decision proved to be a viral hit, and the baker and his creations have been featured in the local media since he started his business, which he called Artisan Bread Basket Online.

President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo: Marlo Pimentel
President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo: Marlo Lidot
Vice President Leni Robredo. Photo: Marlo Lidot
Vice President Leni Robredo. Photo: Marlo Lidot
Jessica Soho. Photo: Marlo Lidot
Jessica Soho. Photo: Marlo Lidot
Jesus Christ. Photo: Marlo Lidot
Jesus Christ. Photo: Marlo Lidot
Marilyn Monroe. Photo: Marlo Lidot
Marilyn Monroe. Photo: Marlo Lidot

A graduate of Cebu Technological University, Lidot said he has always been into bread since he was a child.

Read: Just Desserts: Cavite bakeshop’s Manila Bay cake takes jab at dolomite scandal

“I learned how to make unique artisan bread during the lockdown. I wanted to give it a twist and come up with unique designs. I wanted something that people could give as gifts on special occasions. I brought a lot of passion into it, even if I just used an ordinary oven,” he told Coconuts Manila in English and Filipino.

Since then, he has baked portraits of celebrities and politicians, including President Rodrigo Duterte. He has even baked images of religious icons. Each bread costs PHP650 (US$13.46). However, he said that the business is only temporary, and he wants a more stable gig once the world goes back to normal.

FIND IT:
The Artisan Bread Basket Online is located in Banawa, Cebu City.
FB: @ArtisanBreadBasketOnlineStore
Phone: +639668260446



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