Mama Lou's founder shares pasta recipe to a fan online

David Sison, co-founder and CEO of Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen, turned a social media user’s vulnerable moment into an act of kindness.

The exchange began on Threads when aspiring stand-up comedian Annie May shared that she had a mental health disorder.

"I wish I inherited heirloom recipes like Mama Lou’s, but instead I got late-diagnosed ADHD and Autism," she wrote.

To the delight of many, Sison acknowledged the post and shared a surprise.

"I'm giving you mine. Aglio Olio. The most underrated pasta in existence," Sison responded, listing the full ingredients and step-by-step procedure.

Stunned by the gesture, Annie May replied, "WAIT naiiyak ako."

The interaction quickly drew praise from the online community, with many noting how unusual it is for a restaurateur to give away trade secrets.

"First time to encounter a restaurant owner sharing their recipe," one user commented. "Thanks for this. Makapag-lunch nga bukas sa Mama Lou's."

Another user, who shares the same diagnosis as the original poster, thanked Sison.

"Thank you @davidsison [I] can finally try it. [I] always wanted to try [M]ama [L]ou's! My partner loves your restaurant! She never stops talking about you guys," he wrote.

This isn't the first time Mama Lou’s has reached out to the community. Last year, it opened its kitchen to help those in need amid Super Typhoon Uwan, serving free bowls of Zuppa di Maccheroni, or macaroni soup, to anyone who visits their stores.

Meanwhile, Sison started Mama Lou's at 27 years old, opening his first restaurant in Nuvali in 2012.