Detroit anticipates the arrival of its lone Filipino bakery in the near future, with Jonathan Peregrino, who transitioned from a career in sales and marketing to pursue his passion for pastry making, securing a permanent location for JP Makes and Bakes. The bakery is slated to open its doors at 6529 Woodward Avenue, Suite B, formerly occupied by the Ferne clothing boutique.
Peregrino emerged as a semifinalist in the Hatch Detroit contest, contending with several other food-based ventures for a chance at $100,000 in startup funds. This platform enabled him to showcase his array of pastries, cakes, and bread rolls to a broader audience. Since then, Peregrino’s delectable creations have made appearances in Ann Arbor, including at Craig’s Coffee in Midtown and Secret Bakery in Ferndale. In May 2023, he teamed up with Folk for a sold-out dinner series, highlighting his culinary inspirations from childhood.
Targeting a summer debut, Peregrino’s focus is on preparing the space, which currently requires some interior modifications, including the removal of a small closet at the rear. The forthcoming weeks will be dedicated to the installation of kitchen equipment, including a hood, refrigeration units, cooktops, ovens, and a fryer. Detroit-based firm Push Design LLC will oversee the architectural aspects, while Walcon Inc. will handle the construction. Peregrino envisions an open-concept kitchen similar to establishments like Sister Pie or the acclaimed Oak Park bakery, Forest. Limited seating for approximately 10 patrons will be available in the front area. Peregrino has secured a five-year lease for the 1,400-square-foot space from the Shoppes at Woodward, with an option to renew for two additional terms. Earlier this year, JP Makes and Bakes received a $60,000 grant from Motor City Match to assist with equipment and furnishing expenses.
In addition to his signature cookies, brownies, chocolates, and bread rolls infused with traditional Filipino flavors like ube, the bakery will feature a full coffee and espresso bar, along with a rotating menu of savory dishes, catering to nearby workers in need of a quick meal or caffeine fix.
“I want to offer savory options occasionally, such as rice bowls a few days a week or straightforward entrees that reflect the foods I grew up with,” explains Peregrino.
Peregrino’s upbringing as a first-generation Filipino American on the West Coast deeply influences JP Makes and Bakes’ identity. While Filipino cuisine was abundant during his youth in California and the Pacific Northwest, it remains relatively scarce in metro Detroit. Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, Peregrino spent 15 years in corporate sales and marketing. In 2018, he decided to attend pastry school in the Philippines to reconnect with the flavors of his upbringing. Since then, he has worked as a pastry chef in Detroit, including stints at Oak and Reel in the nearby Milwaukee Junction neighborhood and, more recently, at Le Suprême alongside veteran pastry chef Ben Robison.
Peregrino aims to navigate city inspections by July or early August, with hopes of opening shortly thereafter. In the interim, he will host a pair of pop-up dinners on Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, at Frame in Hazel Park. While tickets for Friday’s seating are sold out, reservations for the 8:30 p.m. seating on Saturday, starting at $65 (with optional beverage pairings), are still available. The bakery will also participate in Little Asian Bites, a night market launched in 2023 showcasing the region’s Asian American and Pacific Islander culinary offerings. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, inside Shed 5 at Eastern Market.