Foodologie Verified listing

Back in 2020, Maria Leyasa was juggling three jobs as an occupational therapist and posting occasional food pics on her Instagram account, Foodologie, just for fun. When the pandemic hit, she turned to baking. One chocolate chip cookie at a time—every day, sometimes twice on weekends—she documented the journey. It wasn’t long before her oven door shattered from overuse and friends were begging to buy what she was giving away.

Still, Leyesa didn’t feel legit.

Fast forward to today, and Foodologie is no longer a side hustle—it’s a brick-and-mortar bakery in Belmont Shore. The cookies? Legit. The Chocolate Chip, Churrodoodle, Salted Toffee Chocolate, and that ube brownie—an ode to her Filipino roots and her mom’s palate—are just the start. She’s even got plans for a strawberry matcha brownie and a cookie-of-the-month rotation.

Leyesa’s story isn’t just about baking—it’s about reclaiming time, honoring culture, and chasing something that didn’t always feel possible. Her family immigrated from the Philippines when she was two. Growing up, stability was everything—which made leaving a career in healthcare for something as uncertain as baked goods feel terrifying. But Foodologie isn’t just a bakery; it’s a blend of that cultural push for security with a deep-rooted love for food and storytelling.

Written by Brian Addison. Photos courtesy of business.