By Lorna Oppedisano | By Steven J. Pallone<\/em><\/p>\n Azella Alvarez was born with a passion for Filipino food. The first generation of her family born in the United States, and daughter of an award-winning baker, Azella remembers working in her parents\u2019 bakery in San Diego as a child.<\/p>\n Her parents opened one of the first Filipino bakeries in that area in the 1970s, helping pave the way for the landscape now, with a Filipino restaurant on every corner, Azella said with a laugh.<\/p>\n Although she didn\u2019t return to the food industry until later in life, Azella knew she was destined to follow in her parents\u2019 footsteps.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was always in me,\u201d she said. \u201cYou just never know growing up.\u201d<\/p>\n After Azella began working as a travel agent, she and her now-exhusband moved their family to the Syracuse area.<\/p>\n She worked a few jobs before eventually taking a position at the Bank of New York, where she realized there was need for her culinary craft. The company had meetings and team-building exercises, and Azella would arrive carrying trays of lumpia, a traditional Filipino spring roll.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the next thing you know, people were basing their meetings on my food!\u201d she recalled.<\/p>\n Azella started selling lumpia on the side to friends and family, still keeping her talent relatively under wraps and focusing on her profession.<\/p>\n Then she got laid off at the bank, and was forced to reconsider her options and plan for the future.<\/p>\n \u201cDrastic measures called for drastic change,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Azella decided to take matters into her own hands, went to city hall and filed a DBA, picking the catchy name \u201cOompa Loompyas\u201d for her venture.<\/p>\n The new business owner started small, getting involved with the Syracuse Food Truck Association and popping a tent at food truck rodeos. After that, she found more events where she could introduce people to her Filipino fare, and things started to snowball.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was awesome,\u201d she said. \u201cI knew that if I had the drive, I was just going to keep going, no matter what. I knew it was a good product. It was selling itself.\u201d<\/p>\n Eventually, Azella found semi-permanent space in a bar. As it turns out, lumpia pair well with beer and wine. But soon, she realized she needed more room.<\/p>\n Knowing she needed either her own space or a food truck, Azella began looking, and noticed an ideal location in the Hawley\u2013Green area. As fate would have it, she was perusing Craigslist the following day, and saw an ad for that very space. She signed the lease, set up shop and opened in May 2016.<\/p>\n Oompa Loompyas now offers diners a variety of Filipino and fusion food, including burgers, bowls and, of course, many choices of lumpia.<\/p>\n Since opening the physical location of Oompa Loompyas, Azella\u2019s greatest challenge has been adapting to the different pace. When she had a pop-up location, people would rush to the food. Now, she sometimes has to play the waiting game. However, she does have a loyal following she\u2019s met over the years at food truck gatherings and festivals.<\/p>\n It helps that Oompa Loompyas is the only Filipino restaurant in the area. Like her parents and their bakery in San Diego, she\u2019s paving the way for a new style of food in the Syracuse area. It\u2019s clear to anyone who stops in to the restaurant for a lumpia and chat with Azella that she\u2019s passionate about her food and her culture.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful mix,\u201d she said, describing the combination of Spanish, Chinese, Malaysian and Indonesian. \u201cI think we are the melting pot of all ethnicities rolled into one. It\u2019s really cool. Our flavors \u2014 when people come in here for the first time, I describe it. But I kind of want them to just experience it, because it\u2019s really just a different deal.\u201d SWM <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Oompa Loompyas is located at 600 Burnet Ave. in Syracuse. Keep an eye out for Azella at festivals like The Taste of Syracuse. For more information, visit oompaloompyas.net<\/a>, call the restaurant at (315) 876-5398 or order online at grubhub.com<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Filipino Fusion By Lorna Oppedisano | By Steven J. Pallone Azella Alvarez was born with a passion for Filipino food. The first generation of her family born in the United States, and daughter of an award-winning baker, Azella remembers working in her parents\u2019 bakery in San Diego as a child.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":641,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[172,133,174,134,175],"class_list":["post-612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","tag-april-2017","tag-lorna-oppedisano","tag-oompa-loompyas","tag-steven-j-pallone","tag-syracuse-eats"],"gutentor_comment":0,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Z_Syracuse-Eats_ONLINE.jpg?fit=5200%2C3487&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1894,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1894","url_meta":{"origin":612,"position":0},"title":"The Ice Cream Stand","author":"Staff","date":"June 29, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Bringing Syracuse Year-round Sweetness By Lorna Oppedisano | Photography by Steven J. Pallone\u00a0 About three years ago, Central New York native Amanda Hughes discovered a new favorite spot in her hometown: Clinton Square. Amanda had returned home after attending college at Duke University and earning an MBA in marketing from\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_7287.jpg?fit=1200%2C737&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_7287.jpg?fit=1200%2C737&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_7287.jpg?fit=1200%2C737&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_7287.jpg?fit=1200%2C737&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_7287.jpg?fit=1200%2C737&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2076,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2076","url_meta":{"origin":612,"position":1},"title":"The Fish Friar","author":"Staff","date":"September 28, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Bringing Fresh Seafood Downtown By Lorna Oppedisano | Photography by Steven J. Pallone\u00a0 When The Fish Friar co-owner, Giovanni Giardina, began his career in the Syracuse restaurant industry at Alto Cinco, he was asked why he wanted to join the team. \u201cI want to open up my own restaurant one\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/IMG_0082.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/IMG_0082.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/IMG_0082.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/IMG_0082.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/IMG_0082.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1429,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1429","url_meta":{"origin":612,"position":2},"title":"C\u00f3caire","author":"Staff","date":"January 1, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"A New Twist on an Old Favorite By Lorna Oppedisano | Photography by Steven J. Pallone When we last checked in with local entrepreneur and chef DeAnna Germano, owner and founder of the catering, home meal delivery and food truck business Chef4Rent, and SWM\u2019s July cover woman, she mentioned she\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/IMG_9509.jpg?fit=1200%2C786&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/IMG_9509.jpg?fit=1200%2C786&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/IMG_9509.jpg?fit=1200%2C786&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/IMG_9509.jpg?fit=1200%2C786&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/IMG_9509.jpg?fit=1200%2C786&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1825,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1825","url_meta":{"origin":612,"position":3},"title":"Daniella’s Steakhouse","author":"Staff","date":"May 31, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The Story of the Small Steak House\u00a0 By Lorna Oppedisano | Photography by Steven J. Pallone Charlie Roman, owner of Daniella\u2019s Steak House, was raised in the restaurant business. In 1960, his parents founded Roman\u2019s Tavern, the small, working-class tavern that eventually grew into Daniella\u2019s, the small and intimate steakhouse\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Food"","block_context":{"text":"Food","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=102"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_4442.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_4442.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_4442.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_4442.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_4442.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":524,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=524","url_meta":{"origin":612,"position":4},"title":"Bailiwick Market & Cafe","author":"Staff","date":"February 27, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"One-Stop Local Shop By Lorna Oppedisano | Photography by Steven J. Pallone\u00a0 Bailiwick Market & Cafe \u2014 the expansive, high-ceilinged barn boasting everything from Caf\u00e9 Kubal coffee to locally-sourced meals to locally-crafted goods and artisan works \u2014 started out as a simple dream of an ice cream shop. Nancy Hourigan\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Food"","block_context":{"text":"Food","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=102"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Z_Food_Bailiwick_0317_ONLINE.jpg?fit=1200%2C796&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Z_Food_Bailiwick_0317_ONLINE.jpg?fit=1200%2C796&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Z_Food_Bailiwick_0317_ONLINE.jpg?fit=1200%2C796&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Z_Food_Bailiwick_0317_ONLINE.jpg?fit=1200%2C796&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Z_Food_Bailiwick_0317_ONLINE.jpg?fit=1200%2C796&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1744,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1744","url_meta":{"origin":612,"position":5},"title":"Glazed & Confused","author":"Staff","date":"April 30, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Getting Glazed & Confused By Lorna Oppedisano | Photography by Steven J. Pallone \u201cWhy doughnuts... why not?\u201d mused Sarah Valenti, co-owner of Glazed & Confused, the newly-opened doughnut shop on Clinton Street in downtown Syracuse. \u201cEverybody loves doughnuts.\u201d Based on their first half-year in a brick-and-mortar location \u2014 they opened\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_3796-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_3796-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_3796-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_3796-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_3796-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=612"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/612\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":613,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/612\/revisions\/613"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/641"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}