How It All Began: The Flame That Started Amare La Cucina
At Amare La Cucina, every pizza we serve carries the warmth of a flame that started in our founder’s backyard. What began as a humble fire in a homemade brick oven in Baguio has grown into a passion-driven family of wood-fired kitchens across the country.
From Backyard Brick Oven to Beloved Pizzeria
Edmark Bustos, a former nurse with a love for food and fire, built the first Amare oven with his own hands—literally. Alongside his wife Nica, they opened the first Amare La Cucina in Baguio in 2013, doing everything themselves: making the dough, preparing ingredients, firing pizzas, and serving guests.
“We weren’t just building a restaurant. We were building something from the heart,” shares Edmark.
The name Amare means “to love” in Italian—and love has always been our secret ingredient.
More Than a Meal, A Family Experience
From day one, Edmark noticed how children’s eyes lit up when they were allowed to toss dough and create their own pizzas. That simple joy became a signature Amare tradition. Our kitchens are open not just for our chefs, but for families to share the experience together.
Rooted in Local, Inspired by Community
In 2024, when a farmer in Benguet was left with 600 kilos of cherry tomatoes due to a cancelled order, Edmark didn’t hesitate. We bought all of it—and created our Cherry Tomato Pizza Series, a tribute to local produce and the spirit of helping where we can.
This is what Amare stands for: not just good food, but good values—community, support, and sustainability.
Growing with Heart
Amare has expanded from one small branch in Baguio to several locations across the Philippines—but we’ve never lost the warmth of that first flame. Each Amare branch is built with the same care, flavor, and purpose that started it all.
“Growth with soul—that’s what we believe in. Amare isn’t just a restaurant, it’s our story shared through every slice.”
Thank you for being part of the Amare family. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular guest, every pizza we make is for you—to share, to enjoy, and to remember.
You can read more about our founder’s journey in this article by Simpol.ph.
