When the pandemic upended everyday life, many of us turned to food for comfort. For Francesca Herring, it became something much more—the beginning of The Daily Knead. What started as a personal passion project, born out of a love for good bread and the desire to feed her family during uncertain times, unexpectedly transformed into one of the most beloved local bakeries in the area.
“There was a time during the pandemic when you could only buy two loaves of bread at the grocery store,” Francesca recalls. “I had to figure out how to feed my kids.”
So began a whirlwind of flour, trial-and-error bakes, and encouragement from her husband, who suggested she try selling her sourdough loaves to his fellow Australians in Manila. Initially hesitant, Francesca offered her bread through a pay-what-you-want model—expecting modest interest. But what followed was overwhelming support and generosity.
Then came the viral moment. With the help of Ate Vergie, the yaya of her eldest son, Francesca began bundling her sourdough with homemade pandesal. The orders flooded in. Her phone buzzed nonstop. Neighbors created Viber groups just to place their requests. At one point, so many Lalamove riders were lined up outside her home that neighbors began to complain.
“I was baking at all hours of the day,” she laughs. “I had to call my sister for help. It was crazy—but beautiful.”
Now a full-fledged mompreneur, Francesca has embraced the chaos of building a business while raising a family. “At first, I thought I had to be 100% at everything—mom, entrepreneur, employee,” she says. “But it’s okay not to do it all.”
She believes in open, honest conversations with her children about the demands of life and work. “My kids see me working hard. They see what it means to push through when things are difficult.” That example has left its mark. Today, her children choose grocery treats based on sugar content—and aren’t shy about calling her out if she checks her phone at the dinner table.
“It’s not what you tell your kids,” Francesca says. “It’s what you show them.”
This Mother’s Day, we honor moms like Francesca—whose grit, love, and resilience remind us to bring the same care and intention to everything we do. As The Daily Knead continues to grow, it brings that same heart into its expanding roster of breads, pastries, and desserts—now served in hotels, cafés, and restaurants across the city.
“Our food is a love letter,” she says. “And I hope this Mother’s Day, people gift something made with just as much care.”
