The Reyes Family

The Plaza is a continuing saga of four generations of pioneering restaurateurs.

1ST GENERATION: MATRIARCH

Engracia Cruz Reyes, fondly known as Aling Asiang, founded the Aristocrat Restaurant in 1935. Her pioneering vision has inspired several food and restaurant ventures by succeeding family generations.

2ND GENERATION: SON & WIFE TEAM

Son Jose Cruz Reyes, as a young boy, assisted Aling Asiang in running the beginnings of The Aristocrat restaurant, then a rolling store plying the stretch of the Luneta Park. Together with wife, Imelda Albano, they established The Plaza in 1965; and were considered pillars of the restaurant industry.

Lolo Joe was one of the founders of the Hotel & Restaurant Association of the Philippines.

3RD GENERATION: GRANDDAUGHTER

Millie Reyes was schooled at the prestigious École Hôtelière de la Société Suisse des Hôteliers of Lausanne, Switzerland; and Cornell University of Ithaca, New York.

At the young age of 25, Millie opened The Plaza at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) making The Plaza well-renowned for handling big international conventions (the largest being 10,000 persons).

Millie established The Plaza Premium Baked Ham, bringing the special occasion ham from distinguished banquet halls to the malls.

 

4TH GENERATION: GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER

Karla is a graduate of the International Culinary Center in New York and a Master in Entrepreneurship at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.

In her professional role, Karla manages the catering operations and online retail components, overseeing The Plaza Premium Baked Ham branches at Petron Square Dasmarinas in Makati and Petron La Vista along Katipunan. Additionally, she takes charge of the restaurant and cafeteria operations at The Plaza in V&A Law Center, Bonifacio Global City. Beyond these responsibilities, Karla is the proprietor of La Petite Fromagerie, specializing in retail cheese, and Swizzle Mobile Bar, a beverage catering company.

Apart from her entrepreneurial pursuits, Karla contributes to The Philippine Star's Food and Lifestyle section under the byline QuicheTheCook . She also serves on the board of trustees for The Cheese Club of the Philippines. Karla's notable achievements include being honored as the Most Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur by the Asean Women Entrepreneurs' Network (AWEN).