Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

YOU’D expect any man named Socrates, the famous Greek Philosopher, to be a well-educated and worldly person.

Fil-Am Socrates Inonog certainly lives up to the famous name.

The 79-year-old was the former Dean of Emeritus of Culinary Arts at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. He currently sits atop the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NAFFAA) serving as the Regional 9 Chair that covers the Greater Los Angeles community. He’s also the first ever Filipino to be bestowed as the Certified Culinary Educator in the US and received a number of awards from the Philippines.

"When you work hard, just love what you’re doing this will be the result," said Inonog, pointing out his long list of accomplishments. "This country is really the land of opportunity."

But what makes Inonog similar to the great Greek Philosopher is his humble approach and way of life.

It was the way he was raised.

Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Inonog grew up around a family of chefs.

His grandfather was a noted chef at a local restaurant and several of his relatives were cooks as well. The family would always try to find a reason to celebrate so they could create a big feast, he said.

"You know how Filipinos are, we always find a reason to eat," said Inonog to the Asian Journal. "I learned how to cook from my Lolo, mother, father, they all loved to cook and of course, we loved to eat."

That love of cooking stayed with him to this day.

Back then, working as a chef in the Philippines was looked down upon. There were few opportunities but Inonog was determined to follow his dream.

"It was like, you told people you were a chef and they think you’re a second class [citizen] or a servant," he recalls.

When the political climate in the Philippines was on the verge of collapse during the late 1960’s, Inonog left for greener pastures to the US before then President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law.

Inonog arrived to the US with ten dollars in his pocket and the love of cooking in his heart.

He worked briefly in a Las Vegas restaurant before moving closer to a sister in Rhode Island.

Newly married and with a baby on the way, he began his career as a chef for a Howard Johnson’s restaurant in Providence. During the day, he would continue his education, attending culinary classes to hone the craft.

After two years at Howard Johnson’s, Inonog found an ad in the local paper about a new culinary school at Johnson & Wales University recruiting professors. He applied and found himself as one of the first faculty members.

In 1973, the school was founded and began with 124 students.