Kuya Lord
Restaurants & Hospitality
CLIENT
YEAR
Kuya Lord
2023
Overview of Kuya Lord
Kuya Lord, led by the talented Chef Maynard Llera, has become a celebrated name in the culinary world, offering a modern take on traditional Filipino cuisine. While well-known through glowing articles and reviews, the brand faced a challenge: Filipino food, though beloved by its community, remains a niche cuisine in the broader culinary landscape. To expand its reach, Kuya Lord needed a compelling visual presence to match its growing acclaim.
The Challenge
Despite Kuya Lord’s reputation as a hidden gem in Los Angeles, there was limited video content showcasing its story and the rich, flavorful heritage of Filipino cuisine. The challenge was to create content that could both educate and inspire a wider audience while elevating Chef Maynard’s profile as a culinary leader.
The Solution
To bring Kuya Lord’s story to life, I created a documentary that spotlighted Chef Maynard’s journey, the artistry of his dishes, and the cultural significance of his cooking. The documentary celebrated not just the food but the passion and purpose behind it, creating an emotional connection with viewers.
In addition to the documentary, I produced a series of Instagram Reels designed to highlight the vibrant flavors and textures of Filipino cuisine in an engaging, digestible format. These visuals showcased the dishes while capturing the essence of Kuya Lord’s ethos: authenticity, innovation, and community.
The Results
The impact was transformative:
Over 100,000 views on YouTube: The documentary introduced Kuya Lord to a broader audience, earning praise for its storytelling and authenticity.
Elevated Chef Maynard’s profile: The acclaim from the video content helped establish him as a key figure in the LA culinary scene, culminating in a prestigious James Beard Award for his outstanding cooking.
This initiative brought Filipino cuisine into the spotlight, not just as a niche offering but as a vibrant and essential part of LA’s food culture. By sharing Chef Maynard’s story, we turned Kuya Lord into a platform for cultural celebration and culinary excellence.
Other works