Inter-Mountain photo by Edgar Kelly Ging Murdoch, with scissors, stands next to her husband Dave, left, and her mother Luzviminda Kanane as she cuts a ribbon during a grand opening ceremony for her new business, Ginrollsandpancit, located on Beverly Five Lane. The new business offers authentic Filipino cuisine.
BEVERLY — What started as a way to help others in need during the coronavirus pandemic has transformed into a new business that officially opened its doors recently.
Gingrollsandpancit held its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony as scores of family, friends and community leaders came out to show their support for the five lane business in Beverly.
Ging Murdoch, who is the owner and creator of the Filipino cuisine concept, was truly overwhelmed when everything finally became official during a special ceremony.
“It was such a relief to finally open because once I decided to open the business it took me a while to sort everything out,” Murdoch. “It seemed like we had one delay after another. From ordering the equipment to getting all our paperwork done, it seemed to take forever. However, the community has been such a big help and their support has been amazing.”
The business is currently open Monday, Wednesday and Friday for pickup orders only. Murdoch said he hopes to have prepared food or something else available at the business later.
Although finding workers for the new business was difficult, this summer Murdoch got help from the best person she could imagine when her mother, Minda, moved to the United States from her native Philippines.
“I haven’t seen my mother in 20 years because when I came here I never had a chance to go back home,” Murdoch said. “I petitioned my mother to come here and she is already a green card holder. She is such a big help to me and I couldn’t be happier to have her here with me.”
Murdoch also said her close friend, Eugenia Brown, has been there since Day 1. She said Brown was instrumental in making the business a reality and is the one who makes the company’s desserts.
Although the business is now running at full steam, Murdoch said he will continue to send free food to those in need, especially in his home country.
“When we first started making food, we did it just to help others during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Murdoch said. “There were a lot of people who were struggling during that time, especially in my homeland, the Philippines.
“So we started making food and sending it over there, as well as giving food out here locally, to homeless shelters and places like that. Everyone asked me why I was giving away my food and I told them it was something I like to do because I know how it feels to have nothing. And I will continue to help in any way I can.”
Murdoch, who moved to the United States from the Philippines 20 years ago when she married her husband Dave, said her love of cooking lit a fire inside her that helped her make the decision to turn her food donation service in business.
“I love what I do and I realized that this is my calling” said Murdoch, who is also a full-time nurse and emergency medicine specialist in the emergency department at Davis Medical Center. “So I decided to turn this into a business, even though I’m busy with my other job as well.”
When asked where all the energy comes from to do what he does, Murdoch said: “It comes from eating Filipino food. We eat right almost every day and that’s three meals. So eating right is how I get all my energy for both jobs.”
Murdoch, who has been preparing her delicious cuisine since the start of the pandemic, was cooking from her home in Beverley until the new business opened. It delivers food to customers across the county and will continue to offer the same service for those unable to pick up orders.
“I really don’t know how I do it sometimes; I do not sleep,” she said with a laugh. “I work 12-hour shifts at the hospital and sometimes it gets really hard. But I really like doing both. My boss at the hospital keeps telling me he wants to clone me because of all the energy I have.
Gingrollsandpancit’s current menu includes: pork or vegetarian spring rolls (fried or not); firecracker lumpia shrimp; pancit bihon noodles with chicken; pork ribs adobo combo meal; original combined meal; chicken rice bowl; and leche flan dessert. Kamayan and boodle holiday catering is also available.
For more information, visit the business’ Facebook page or call 304-940-9955.