24 Facts About Nora Daza

Nora Guanzon Villanueva-Daza, popularly known as Chef Nora Daza, was a Filipino veteran gourmet chef, restaurateur, socio-civic leader, television host, and best-selling cookbook author.

Nora Daza was born in Batangas, to Alejandro Jose Villanueva, a civil engineer from Batangas City, and his wife Encarnacion Guanzon, daughter of Olympio Guanzon former Governor of Pampanga.

In 1952, Nora Daza graduated from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics.

Nora Daza learned about Filipino cooking and catering while working at the University of the Philippines cafeteria.

Nora Daza then went to the United States to study at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, for a Master of Science in Restaurant and Institutional Management.

Nora Daza later studied French cuisine in Paris, under the tutelage of Simone Beck, and Louisette Bertholle.

Nora Daza's cooking showcased the diverse history and ethnic makeup of the Philippines, as well as her American education and French training, by utilizing Filipino, Chinese, "Chinoy", Spanish, American, and Italian cuisines.

Nora Daza became a judge of cooking contests held by the Manila Gas Corporation from 1957 to 1960.

Nora Daza hosted television cooking shows At Home with Nora and Cooking It Up with Nora to wide popular acclaim and viewership for several years.

Nora Daza was appointed Director of Manila Gas Cooking School where she selected, modified, checked, and kitchen-tested over five-hundred recipes for around three thousand students who enrolled over a period of four years.

In 1965, Nora Daza opened Au Bon Vivant in Ermita.

Nora Daza opened up a Filipino restaurant in Manila called Galing Galing, that served Filipino comfort food such as kare-kare.

In 1974, Nora Daza expanded her operation in the Philippines and opened an Au Bon Vivant in the NCR's business hub Makati.

Nora Daza gave her eldest son, Gabriel "Bong" Nora Daza, 22-years-old at the time, full responsibility of Aus Iles Philippines.

Nora Daza was elected vice president of the Philippine Association of Nutrition, secretary of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines, adviser-admiral of the Homemakers Club, director of Hotel and Tourist Industries of the Philippines, and president of Philippine Home Economists in Business.

Nora Daza ran on the platform "Proper Nutrition for the Masses," but ended up losing the race.

Nora Daza's son, Sandy Nora Daza, is a chef and restaurateur specializing in Filipino and Thai cuisines.

Nora Daza has hosted television cooking shows and has written books and articles on cooking and baking.

Nora Daza's other son, Bong Nora Daza, is a food entrepreneur specializing in processed meats and fish.

Nora Daza is the estranged husband of Miss Universe 1969 winner Gloria Diaz.

Nora Daza ran for vice-mayor of Makati in 1998 but lost in the elections.

Nora Daza's grandson Turs is a TV host and a VJ on MYX Channel.

Nora Daza died on September 13,2013, in her sleep due to a heart attack.

Nora Daza's body lay in state at the Loyola Memorial Chapel on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and was cremated.