New Filipino Pastry Shop Brings Sweets and Treats to New Center

There's a new reason to bring your taste buds to Detroit's New Center area. A Filipino-inspired bakery is introducing Detroiters to cultural creations made by a man who loves the sweet life in Metro Detroit.

Jonathan Peregrino, a first-generation Filipino American, opened JP Makes and Bakes in November 2024 after trading in his corporate career to pursue his dream in the culinary arts. Peregrino moved to Detroit after studying at the Academy of Pastry and Bakery Arts in the Philippines. He gained national recognition in 2020 by competing in Food Network's "Holiday Baking Championship." Before opening JP Makes and Bakes, Peregrino worked in the kitchens of Warda Patisserie, Tapped Coffee, Oak & Reel, and Le Supreme.

The menu at JP Makes and Bakes consists of breads, pastries, and specialty Filipino treats. Brownies and cookies made with ube, a brightly colored Filipino yam, are some ways Peregrino is introducing new flavors to Detroiters by blending traditional Filipino recipes with some creative licenses. "We have six core items, all with my twist, and a savory bowl feature — something Filipino, flavorful, and simple, whatever I feel like making," he said in an interview with Hour Detroit.

For the year ahead, Peregrino said he plans to introduce a soft-serve ice cream featuring ube and will test a hybrid version of pan de sal with a croissant and siopao, the Filipino version of the Chinese bao bun. He's pleased by the positive response from members of the Detroit Filipino community, who appreciate the familiar tastes of their heritage with clever plays on tradition. 

JP Makes and Bakes is at 6529 Woodward Ave., Suite B. It is open 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Call 313-338-8595 for more information.