> At a Glance
> – Keith Lee visited Bretman Rock’s Waipahu home during his Hawaii food tour
> – They sampled Filipino dishes including empanadas and lumpia made by Rock’s mother
> – Rock admitted being nervous about Lee reviewing his mom’s cooking
> – Why it matters: Shows the emotional stakes when family recipes meet food critics
Keith Lee’s Hawaii stop brought him to Bretman Rock’s lush Waipahu property, where the beauty influencer served up his mom’s Filipino specialties instead of restaurant fare.
The Home Kitchen Surprise
Lee arrived expecting local restaurant food, only to learn every dish came from Rock’s family kitchen. The revelation triggered immediate anxiety for Rock.
Rock confessed:
> “I was kinda insecure, because what if you don’t like my mom’s cooking?”
The pair dove into Filipino-style empanadas stuffed with egg, beans, and sausage, paired with vinegar for what Lee called the “perfect amount of acidity.” Between bites, Lee marveled at the property’s roaming chickens and peacocks, calling the setting paradise.
The Hidden Food Stall
Conversation turned to a nighttime food truck market Lee had explored with his family. Rock revealed his mother operates MamaMerce’s Kitchen there, a detail he’d kept quiet.
Rock explained his hesitation:
> “Because I’m so scared for you to try it”
Lee promised to visit the stall before leaving the island, prompting Rock to joke about blocking the plan.
Rock admitted:
> “I will literally have anxiety if you come”
Emotional Stakes on Camera
As they crunched into lumpias-Rock described them as Filipino eggrolls without the egg-the nerves remained palpable.
Rock revealed his stress:
> “I’m literally sweating so much right now just thinking about Keith Lee trying my mom’s food”
Lee assured him he reviews friends’ and family recipes regularly, but Rock remained unconvinced, laughing that he’d tell his mom not to feed their famous guest.
The visit ended with Lee praising the experience as “one of the dopest things I’ve ever done in so long” and inviting Rock to his Familee Day event in New Orleans on May 16.
Key Takeaways
- Family recipes carry intense emotional weight even for social media stars
- Rock’s mother runs a food stall under the name MamaMerce’s Kitchen
- Lee’s food tour includes both professional and personal culinary experiences
- The pair bonded over shared appreciation for home cooking traditions
The encounter highlighted how food memories and family pride intersect when a critic’s palate meets a mother’s love in every bite.
