Amber Manuguid and Aaron Verzosa
Archipelago | Seattle
march 2020
It’s not every night that your dinner features 10 courses of locally sourced ingredients, stories that shape the Filipino-American identity, and tinikling (filipino folk dancing). But at Archipelago, husband-and-wife team Amber Manuguid and Aaron Verzosa provide that exact experience, educating diners about their heritage, with a touch of theatrical, hospitality-forward whimsy.
Verzosa and Manuguid are both from the Pacific Northwest and are second generation Americans. Manuguid grew up in Silverdale, Washington, a military community that is home to many Filipino-Americans. She graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in digital arts and experimental media, leading her to a career in experiential design. She spent the following decade working for companies like Mattel, Pokémon, Nordstrom, and for non-profits such as The Filipino Community of Seattle, SAAFF, ILAW, and Seattle Public School programs. Focused on creating joyful, meaningful experiences, Manuguid’s design background easily translated to hospitality.
A self-described “Food Network kid,” Verzosa was born and raised in Vancouver, Washington, surrounded by his large Filipino family. He joined Manuguid at the University of Washington,studying linguistics and pre-med. Unsatisfied, Verzosa decided to enroll at the Seattle Culinary Institute. Meanwhile, he cooked at Spanish eatery The Harvest Vine. In 2010, Verzosa became an R&D chef for Nathan Myhrvold’s publishing company responsible for Modernist Cuisine and Modernist Bread, and had the opportunity to stage with Chef David Toutain in Paris. Verzosa is the founder of ILAW, a coalition of Filipino food and beverage professionals in the Pacific Northwest.
Throughout Manuguid and Verzosa’s careers, they had always discussed opening a restaurant. Archipelago opened in December 2018, challenging, reshaping, and adding plenty excitement to fine dining in Seattle.
