In this set of Lea Salonga, things are quiet and, at the same time, busy. People are in awe of her world-class presence and eloquence. Though dressed simply, unlike her usual glamorous look onstage, she commands attention, owning the spotlight with her admirable proficiency in things she's passionate about. But we are neither in Broadway nor the West End; we are in Lea's newly-renovated kitchen, a whole different stage, where we see her meticulous trait shine in a different light."

"For this renovated kitchen, [I asked myself], 'What do I want?' And because I was baking so much, this is what I knew I wanted, and so everything was really with the intent to center on that," Lea begins. Her new sanctuary is a multi-functional space with well-appointed appliances, strategically placed to contribute to a harmonious flow, in perfect sync with her baking routine.

An award-winning artist who values standards for excellence, Lea knew exactly the right kitchen appliance brands that align with her requirements and preferences. She intentionally chose the elements in her kitchen because she wanted them to look like "a cohesive set." She naturally turned to American brands Sub-Zero and Wolf. Its luxury appliances are so iconic, they make a stunning statement in this space. On one side, the Sub-Zero refrigerator stands proudly across a window, with its stainless steel facade reflecting light with a polished sheen. Her Wolf convection steam oven and microwave are thoughtfully integrated well into the cabinetry. The stainless steel construction of the Wolf range anchors the space; its iconic design effortlessly complementing a range of styles, including a classic aesthetic—perfect for Lea’s vision of her culinary haven.

Lea, when baking, prefers her kitchen silent like the set of her recent play, "Request sa Radyo"一except that she sometimes talks to her dough. "It's kind of meditative when you're doing some of the procedures," Lea says of the "ritualistic quality" of baking.

Her favorite thing to bake? Sourdough bread. In fact, when asked what type of bread she can liken herself to, she says she's like a loaf of sourdough: "For what I do, it took training and patience, so I'm not a rushed recipe… I'm a loaf of sourdough because of how much time and effort it takes to make one."

She started making sourdough bread during the pandemic and is excited to make more loaves with her newly installed convection steam oven. This versatile appliance is unique in that it can use both dry and wet heat in its cooking process. It's particularly useful for the early stages of sourdough baking, when steam is essential. Her Wolf oven has an auto steam mode that can be adjusted to one's desired temperature. It also has the same feature found in steam-injection ovens in professional kitchens; it’s designed with a steam generator that helps retain moisture in foods that tend to dry out quickly while still preserving a crispy exterior. The steam in the oven ensures the bread rises completely before forming its crust.

"There's a water tray… And then you can do the initial steam for bread… then you finish it off with [dry heat] in the last maybe 15 minutes”, she describes how she achieves that soft-on-the-inside, crispy crust result with Wolf.

"I think that's why [I love it]," Lea realizes why she finds joy in baking, which is all about precision and accuracy. "My personality lends itself to that, where everything has to be in its place. [In baking], everything has to be calibrated. Things have to be put together in such a way that when it comes out of the oven, it's correct. And if I don't get it right the first time, I'll try again and figure it out. Even when I sing, everything has to be calibrated just right; nothing can be over or under. Even when figuring out a song, the approach is the same."

Lea's meticulousness extends to her lifestyle and diet, and that matters because her work requires her to be in great condition. But what does she normally crave after doing a show? “After a show, I try not to eat too much. Maybe I'll have some fruit, some vegetables,” she says, emphasizing that her meals always have vegetables, like her favorite bok choy.

Given how particular she is about food, she's delighted to have Sub-Zero that allows her to preserve food to stay fresh for longer; this is because the appliance's dual refrigeration system ensures her refrigerator and freezer are completely sealed independently so air is never shared. This creates an ideal environment for freshness to thrive with every type of food. What's more, Sub-Zero has an air purification system that scrubs the air of ethylene gas — a natural compound released by ripening produce — that hastens food ripening and spoilage. An amazed Lea shares, "On the right side, by the drawers, there's a cheat sheet for what you can store together, how you can store the fruits and vegetables… I didn't realize I needed it until it was there… It just takes one step off my mind for how to organize my fridge."

Lea's work as a singer-actress often requires her to travel. Spare time at home is rare and precious for her and her family, so she was keen on having a house she could look forward to coming home to. This is why, in this space, like everything else in her craft, there's simply no room for compromising quality. "Call it OC or whatever, my personality is, like, everything has to be right," Lea declares. And in her kitchen, everything looks and feels right.