Born and raised in the Bay Area, it has allowed me to explore a wide variety of flavors and tastes via the diverse population. My mom would also take me on a “dining experience” about once a quarter, following the principle from Jiro Dreams of Sushi: “In order to make delicious food, you must eat delicious food.” This heightened my appreciation of food and the way it brought my family closer together. These dining experiences also afforded me the opportunity to develop a diverse and discerning palate at a young age.

My earliest memories of cooking are assisting my mom with breakfasts on the weekend, where I required a step stool to reach the stove. From there, my love for cooking continued and deepened. My first job at the age of 13 was at a high-end catering company. After a few years, while in high school, I was also able to start my own personal chef business, specializing in creating healthy and delicious meals for clients with restricted diets.

When not at work, you will find me in search of a lake or pond to fish, practicing CPR (Catch, Photograph, Release). I also like to tinker, so home improvement projects or working on cars is something I enjoy. I have also started a small backyard farm where I raise chickens, keep bees, and grow herbs, fruits, and vegetables.

Born and raised in Northern California, I am 100% Italian with deep ties to those Italian roots.

My passion is great food with depth of flavor. I do not eat to live, I live to eat so every meal is important and seen in my eyes as an opportunity to create or experience something really tasty.

I love finding new and trendy places to dine (both locally or while traveling), exploring different cuisines from all cultures and ethnicities, and entertaining family and friends in our home.

Some of my favorite memories involve lingering around the table with my extended family after a big Sunday night dinner prepared by the women who taught me much of what I know culinarily and to value slow food.

If it’s savory and salty there’s a 99.999999% chance that I’ll love it!

Born and raised in the Bay Area with roots connected to the Philippines.

Home fermented foods, baked desserts, and banana ketchup are staples in my life. At least two of the three can always be found in my fridge.

Born in Mexico, raised in the Bay Area.

Coming from a Mexican family my mom has always cooked traditional Mexican food as it’s an important part of our culture. One of my favorite dishes is Enchiladas.

In my free time, I enjoy working on my garden which includes corn, tomatoes, and zucchini to just name a few.

I was born and raised in Westchester County New York. I was permanently transplanted to the Bay Area in 1992.

In high school, I competed in basketball, tennis, and skiing. Now my favorite “sport” is dining al fresco at local restaurants and wineries! I adore salads with bold vinaigrettes, seafood of any kind with a great glass of wine.

Cooking for my family and friends brings me great joy with plenty of laughter for all!

As a Bay Area native raised on farmers’ market produce, I firmly believe nothing compares to a dry farmed Early Girl tomato in the peak of summer. I fully embrace my “food nerd” status through systematically trying every available brand of chocolate and taking each opportunity to harvest my own fruit and vegetables. Recipes are my favorite souvenir when I travel and thus far Hungarian chicken paprikash, Italian gnocchi, and Finnish Karelian pies are among my most loved and made.

I dream of a sustainable and delicious food system that can support the world’s growing population. I performed over four years of research on reintroducing waste streams from the olive oil and wine industries back into the food supply at the USDA and UC Davis in service of this mission. At Mattson, I channel my passion into helping clients create delectable and sustainable products.

Born and raised in Berkeley!

Sourdough lover. Pizza (semi) guru. Stuffed pasta aficionado. TV junkie/Bravo superfan.

On the quest to taste all the hazy IPAs out there.

Savory > Sweet since the beginning – At 5 years old, I requested broccoli and zucchini over being offered bon bons at the movies.

Born and raised in the Bay Area. With a Mom from Malta and a Dad from England we ate a wide variety of foods, always home-cooked. I carry that tradition on with my three children.

I have a son with nut and gluten allergies, so understanding ingredients in what I cook and coming up with new creative ideas to provide a variety of options for my son and family is important to me.

On the weekends my husband and I enjoy grabbing a cup of coffee and walking on the beach with our labradoodle.

My favorite food is Cioppino.

I’m a competitive runner, which enables my other obsession – food!

The best part of traveling is walking from bakery to bakery in a new town. I meandered my way to an AMAZING side-street bakery in Paris, jetlagged at 5 a.m., then spent the next week trying to find my way back there. I’m convinced I was dreaming.

Born and raised in upstate NY, leaving Ithaca in 1996 with my cat and husband in tow for a warmer climate. We both decided it would be nicer to drive to the snow vs. living in it! We arrived in California thinking we’d be here for maybe 10 years – now 25 years later we’re still here!

I love cooking for an occasion, any occasion, and planning the menu. Nothing better than a delicious meal, good wine (and dessert) and dining in our back yard with friends. Such joy comes from a meal shared with those you care about.

When not at Mattson, hiking, biking and gardening, along with volunteering at the local animal shelter keeps my life interesting.

Born overseas on the shores of Tripoli, grew up in the South (Georgia) and established CA as my home sweet home with my family of 5 + 1 cute little Maltipoo.

My passion for food grew significantly after coming out to CA for college at UC Berkeley and experiencing California’s delicious culinary diversity.

Fast forward to the present day… I enjoy food that awakens the senses and I believe the proverbial saying that you are what you eat.

One of my favorite things to do is explore local and pop-up bakeries to see what’s trending and satisfy my sweet tooth.

“Love the Life you Live. Live the Life you Love” – In my free time, you can find me doing just that, spending time connecting with loved ones, stand up paddleboarding with my SUP pup, going for walks or finding great joy in my new gardening hobby!

North Carolina native with a healthy obsession with baked goods.  Trips with my husband and pup are planned around visiting bakeries where my eyes are always bigger than my stomach, but I need to taste it all!  

No matter where I am, I am usually singing and dancing at least a little bit.

“Kain na tayo.” That means “Let’s eat!”, in Tagalog (Filipino). Having grown up in the Philippines, I noticed that every big party is not complete without the “Lechon” (a whole roasted pig–the most invited party guest).

My favorite dish is adobo (chicken or pork braised in garlic, vinegar, oil and soy sauce), and halo-halo for dessert (crushed ice with condensed & evaporated milk, taro, yams, beans, fruit preserves, rice crispies, flan, and ube ice cream on top).

I love to explore hiking trails, beaches, and scenic spots, and explore good food places in the area with friends on weekends.

The #1 thing I learned in culinary school and while cooking professionally is to let the ingredients do the talking.  Because when you start with the highest quality local ingredients and serve them with a minimal amount of fuss, the experience will be truly authentic, enjoyable, and even the ever elusive “crave-able!”

Having spent the last 25 years working with packaged food and foodservice companies, this is also something I try to bring to each project.  Because when something is truly cravable and satisfying, people will come back for more.

When I am not working or cooking with family and friends, I am enjoying deeply flavorful cheese paired with crusty bread and a bold glass of red wine while tending my 50+ rose bushes.

I make things pretty.

Born on the tropical island of the Philippines, grew up in the Bay Area, studied in San Diego and Italy, and escaped to Chicago mainly for the food (not the weather).

Mama of two. Love to travel, and travel to eat. I bake cakes and like to create art with food. I design, style and snap. Obsessed with capturing life’s everyday moments.

My fondest food memories are of the family dinners that my first generation Italian American grandmother, Palma Giacopuzzi Abram, would cook. Starting with Canederli (bread dumplings served in broth), followed by Polenta or Gnocchi, and homemade Ravioli. Delicious!

When I started college at UC Davis, I had no idea that a major in Food Science even existed. My roommate from Iowa suggested it, and I was so happy to find that I could combine my love for both science and food into a career.

I grew up immersed in food culture. Throughout my childhood, I worked alongside my grandmothers in the kitchen and was captivated by stories of my entrepreneurial grandfather and his 1950s food truck. Between spending time at my family’s fruit and nut orchard and visiting my grandparents’ small-town grocery store and pasta business, it was only natural that I caught the food bug. From homemade ravioli to tamales, the cultural influence of both grandparents cultivated my passion for creating and sharing memorable meals with family and friends.

My love of cooking inspired me to take food classes in San Francisco, Napa Valley, and New Orleans. Food classes led to food careers, and I began catering weddings and corporate events and working in the restaurant industry.

In my free time, I enjoy hiking Tahoe trails with my goldendoodle, paddleboarding, and seeking out farmers markets and locally owned health food stores.

California and Bay Area Native – with Midwestern roots by way of Wisconsin.

Food Science “stock” with Culinary “top notes”.

My passion is homemade “slow” food and creating things from scratch. Naturally leavened bread, long braises, ice cream, and laminated doughs. I love the challenge of creating things with a long ingredient list and complicated steps.

Nothing beats a homegrown freshly picked heirloom tomato.

Oregon native. The ocean and outdoors have always been a large part of my life.

I’m a foodie to the core and enjoy getting lost in specialty stores and farmer’s markets. I have a passion for deconstructing good food and recreating it with my own twist.

The strangest foods I have ever eaten are blood sausage & steamed tripe.

Hails from the Philippines. Devoted rescue cat Dad. 

On weekends you will find me cycling. Dream of cycling a leg of the Tour de France. 

Obsessed with roasting my own coffee. Favorite part of traveling is visiting grocery stores. 

Craziest food ever eaten: Balut (incubated duck egg) in the Philippines.

I’m a North Carolina native but have lived in most regions of the US. I’m a dedicated foodie and passionate environmental advocate who loves gardening, board games, and hiking. I’ve camped in 32 US states and can’t wait to cross the rest off my list. My favorite cuisines are Indian and Southern, and I love exploring creative culinary fusions.

Growing up in the Midwest, exotic and trendy food was not exactly the norm for my family. Through cooking shows I watched after school in the flat landscape of Illinois, I discovered the magic of different countries through their unimaginable cuisines. I have traveled and explored domestically and internationally in search of my next favorite dish.

I think the true magic of life comes from slowing down, foregoing convenience, and using your hands. I find balance in extremes and, therefore, enjoy spending my free time either adventuring for new life experiences or hanging at home in my pajamas with my husband and two cats.

Ever since I was a kid, I have been obsessed with baking and watching cooking shows (two of my favorites: Alton Brown’s Good Eats & The Great British Bake Off). I grew up in San Diego but have lived in New York, New Jersey, Turkey, North Carolina and now the Bay Area- all of which have influenced the way I eat. To me, there’s nothing better than freshly made flour tortillas or a perfectly brewed pot of tea.

Two of my favorite hobbies are grocery shopping and trying out new restaurants. I always go out of my way to check out local grocery stores whenever I travel (there is always something unique to find!).

I’ve always been fascinated by the power of food –  the stories it can tell, the history it carries, the bonds it creates for people.  I find it to be an incomparable way to learn about new cultures and countries.  My family loves to travel and discover a country through our culinary experiences .  Over the years we’ve found that one bite can unlock the senses and forever connect us to our new locale.  At home, we spend lots of time in the kitchen together trying to replicate the tastes so we can transport ourselves back to our favorite places and memories.

A Chicago native, I discovered a passion for cooking in my Sicilian grandmother’s kitchen. I love to travel and experience cultures through their heritage foods, especially when visiting family in Osaka, Japan. I worked in pharmacy for years before applying my knowledge of chemistry to food and haven’t looked back since!

After work and on the weekends you can find me paddleboarding the lagoons of Foster City or cycling the Bay Trail. My most memorable food experience was watching Jay Fai cook her signature crab omelettes over an open flame at her Michelin starred Bangkok restaurant.

Born & raised in Sonoma County, I’m lucky to have always been surrounded with good food and great wine. I love to try new pairings that at first may seem unusual but they just *work*, like macaroni and cheese scooped onto a salt and vinegar chip. Even the smallest of food adventures excites me –  I screamed the first time I saw an Aldi supermarket. My food philosophy is: I’ll try anything at least once!

In my spare time you can find me traveling with my partner & dog, hosting a blind wine tasting, sitting lawn-side at an outdoor concert, or searching for the perfect snack at the farmer’s market.

As an inquisitive scientist at heart; I can be found building, tinkering and exploring new hobbies. My happy place is fine tuning recipes on my smoker, dissecting the traits of a new beer, or spending time crafting new adventures with my wife for my children.

I was raised in São Paulo, Brasil and my family immigrated to the United States in 1965. I am a proud mother of Sergio and André, and also a proud grandmother of six grandchildren.

I was introduced to different cuisines in Brasil which have a very strong presence from Portuguese, Italians, Spaniards, Germans, Japanese, and Middle Easterns. My love of cooking began with my grandmothers, my maids, and my mother.

Mattson has educated me in so many ways about different ingredients, different kinds of food, and how to reinvent one’s old ideas.

My passion is cooking, crafting, crochet and knitting. My favorite time now is spending time with the grandchildren.

I grew up in a family that cooks… Mom valued the early frozen convenience products (fish sticks & Tater Tots on babysitter nights!), while my grandmothers let me gain hands-on experience with “easy scratch” helpers (hello Shake & Bake pork chops and Bisquick chicken & dumplings!). It also helped that I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley in California where school field trips included a dairy, cattle ranch, cattle auction, chicken farm, meatpacking plant, fruit/vegetable cannery, and many local farms to harvest our own fruits and vegetables.

But my true love is in serving food (and wine) which led to a career in hospitality that included 100s of weddings, holiday parties, conventions, corporate retreats, cocktail parties on yachts, and even Mickey Mouse shaped pizzas.

And now my passion is in exploring consumer rituals and habits around food like:
Meatless Monday
Taco Tuesday
Wheat-free Wednesday
Thirsty Thursday (my personal favorite!)
Flash Fried Friday
Sushi Saturday
Sun-Dried Sunday

How can I help create the next named ritual!?

Every Friday night, my whole family including cousins, uncles, and aunties gathered at my PoPo’s (grandma) house to eat homemade Cantonese soups and dishes she spent the whole day making. After dinner, we would watch TGIF or a movie, laughing and eating sliced fruit together. Through this weekly tradition, my PoPo taught me that food, family, and love are all related, which set me off on a career path working with food in all its delicious forms!

Besides the joys of eating, I love exploring and understanding how we all interact with food, our culture, community, and the environment. I dream of a world where we all have access to fresh, healthy, and sustainable foods. On weekends, you can find me staying active and spending time with loved ones trying to recreate those early memories that PoPo shaped me with. Current activities include paddle boarding, fishing, and paddle board fishing!

My childhood journey had always been influenced by food.

From New Year celebrations to birthday parties, my family would get together making plenty of traditional Vietnamese dishes and I enjoyed eating them all until I couldn’t take another bite. When I was in school, I couldn’t help but fall in love with street food after class to the extent that I can still recall how good they tasted until now. These are some of the factors that shaped my initial passion for food.

As I grow older and now have access to a wide variety of food from different nationalities and styles, one of my biggest missions is to try as many different kinds as I can and find out which I love most.

In my free time, I love to hike, eat out, and explore new foodie destinations with friends.

Jay has been with Mattson since 2006.

Food has a unique ability to unify communities and cultures. Growing up in a multicultural household, food brought my family and friends from different languages and backgrounds together—my first non-English words were all names of my favorite foods! My desire to learn about the world has been guided by food. What began with taking food systems classes at UC Berkeley continued as I apprenticed in alternative farming in Hawaii and Spain, supported coffee producers for the US Peace Corps in Panama, studied the aromatic chemistry of beer in Chicago, and dove deep into the world of flavor systems and perception at Penn State. At Mattson, I get to continue this exploration by helping to bring a wide variety of products into the world.

In my spare time, you can find me experimenting with new recipes or fermentation methods with friends and family, or trying out new restaurants and breweries around the Bay.

I caught the food bug while assisting evening cooking classes at a small San Francisco Bay Area cooking school while in college and never looked back.  My career has always focused on food – from working with Julia Child to fostering discussions between culinarians and the nutrition community, to polling consumers about their bologna consumption, and studying wine consumers.  Most of all, I love food history, finally knocking an MA in Food Studies off my bucket list just before the pandemic.

Living a food-centric life…

Celebrating the holidays with our family and family recipes – bastilla and baklava, chawanmushi and maze gohan, and everyone’s favorite potato salad and icebox dinner rolls.

Enjoying food from the latest bakery, restaurant, food truck, pop up and fast food trend with my friends and two sons.

Cooking inspirational recipes from Serious Eats.

Providing food to those in my community through organizations throughout the bay area.

Feeding my furry and feathered friends at the local animal shelter.

Live for and love the diversity, and the cultural and social aspects of food.

Born and raised in Mexico, I enjoyed eating all kinds of Mexican food, including a typical food from the state of Michoacan called Morisqueta (white rice, beans, Pork with sauce, sour cream and cheese). When I came to the United States I started trying all kinds of food from different cultures. One of my favorites is Indian butter chicken. On the weekends or after work, my kids and I like to work on our garden full of vegetables.

I was born in Taipei, Taiwan of aboriginal Taiwanese and Taishanese Chinese descent.  Taiwan’s food culture was heavily influenced by cuisines from Japan, Malaysia and Fujian province of China, so I was introduced to fusion flavors at an early age.  I have always enjoyed discovering new innovative approaches to traditional cuisines, whether it’s from a food stand at a night market or helping my mom and grandma prepare a family meal.  This is a photo of my recent trip to Taiwan enjoying a Taiwanese-style tonkatsu dish – Yum!

I enjoy bold flavors.  One of my favorite dishes is stinky fermented tofu.  Don’t let the word “stinky” deter you!  While it’s got a strong aroma, the flavor is quite mild with a nice blend of sweet, sour, and savory flavors.  I enjoy it with a side of pickled cabbage and lots of spicy sauce.

When I am not cooking or eating, you can find me enjoying a live performance or taking a hip-hop dance class at my favorite dance studio.

My love for food stems from my Mom and Grandma’s home cooked meals. My favorite dish they make is Chili Verde. Not only am I part of the Mattson team, but I also teach Zumba (dance fitness) at various gyms around the Bay Area. My greatest passion is dance and I have loved dance ever since I was a little girl.

I nourish my soul and stomach through tending to my vegetable garden and fruit trees. You can find me homesteading on the weekends canning tomatoes and making preserves.

While I am rooted and inspired by historic craftsmanship, I also have an eye to the future, diving into the scientific advances of food technology. I’m driven by learning how things work, whether it’s watching a plant grow, fixing something around the house, or developing a new food. Coming to work each day allows me to learn not just the breadth but also the complex nuances of the food we eat, and I create; which and keeps my mind fueled for more.

As a fifth generation Chinese American born and raised in the Bay Area, I was fortunate to get a taste of traditional Cantonese cooking every Sunday at my Grandma’s house while my family and I explored other cuisines during the week.

Some of my favorite memories while traveling include learning to make croissants in Paris, discovering honey toast in Tokyo, and savoring the yogurt parfaits in Riomaggiore. I also love baking and sharing with friends and family to see the excitement on their faces.

If I’m not baking, you’ll likely find me at Disneyland.

California Native, born and raised. I learned to cook and appreciate great food from my Italian mother who made classic Italian dishes on a regular basis. I learned early on that the secret to making great sauce is a blend of fresh ingredients and patience, as it can take hours for the ingredients to achieve their peak performance. I have always been fascinated with science and actually entered college studying Mechanical Engineering. While taking an elective general nutrition course, I first heard the term Food Science. After doing a bit of research I soon learned that I could combine my two passions: Food & Science and shortly after I changed majors.

On weekends I enjoy outdoor activities such as gardening, sporting events, boating, gatherings with friends & family and especially poker night at my father-in-law’s house.

Grew up in San Francisco (Chinatown) in my grandmother’s kitchen where I learned food is love and food brings family and friends together. A career changer who took the plunge into culinary school and never looked back. Can never say “no” to dessert and forever on the quest to make the best chocolate chip cookie. Ultimate craving: a simple bowl of hot ramen.

From fond childhood memories of Grandma’s sugar cookies to culinary adventures with my family, food has always been central to my life. When I moved to Chicago, dining out with my parents and exploring fine cuisine led to cherished moments, like when Charlie Trotter himself found his way to our table to chat about morel mushrooms. 

Throughout my career, I’ve embraced food, wine, and entertaining, from hosting lavish, themed parties with all the details, to being a short order cook each day for my kids. All of these experiences, and my lifelong passion for food, continue to inspire me every day.

Growing up, I was blessed to be raised in a family that valued healthy cooking. Of course, growing up I may not value it as much as I do today. With an upbringing in cooking with and for others, becoming a chef was an easy choice. After going to culinary school and obtaining my degree in Culinary Science, the world of cooking really opened up in a new way for me. I was able to use data-driven science to improve the quality and healthiness of my food, without having to sacrifice flavor and enjoyment. Since then I have tried to spend my career at the intersection of healthy and delicious cooking!

As a native Chicagoan, I grew up surrounded by some of the best food, chefs and restaurants in the country.  As kids we used to ride our bikes to Superdawg hot dogs and Lou Malnati’s deep-dish pizza. Those were simply some of our neighborhood favorites.  In college I ventured out to lesser known restaurants in the city’s 77 immigrant-built neighborhoods, taking a trip around the world with Chicago’s global melting pot cuisines. After spending my 20’s in New York City (Ok they have pretty good food there, too), I returned to Chicago to figure out a way to combine my advertising and strategy experience with my insane love of food and passion for top level talent.  Yes, I am a bit of a chef stargazer, I admit.  But it has served me well in my quest to bring the best thinking and inspiration to the next level of food. 

Bay Area native, loves all things active and outside, especially if the activity involves special treats at the end.  Cooking for my family and friends brings me great joy, as does the home food science project like kombucha, discovering the secrets to the best potato latke, plant based yogurt, or “how many veggies can I hide” in this mac and cheese.

Long term goal is to improve my green thumb and grow more food for home cooking/preserving.  Nothing beats picking sun warmed fruits and veggies from your own backyard!  My biggest gardening success is a passion fruit vine that provides 100s of fruits each year, all whilst shading our home in the hot summers.  Sharing this abundance with family, friends and neighbors is such a delight each year and epitomizes one of the many ways that food brings our community together.

My favorite food is Mexican Food. Growing up in a Mexican household, anything having to do with food is a time to be together with family and socialize (prepping the food, eating the food, and cleaning up after).  My favorite memories are when we would get together to make tamales every year.

One of my favorite dishes is fried pork ribs in a green or red salsa with cactus, rice, beans, and homemade flour or corn tortillas. It’s even better if someone else makes it (mom).

I was born in Hong Kong and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am inspired by culinary traditions around the world and especially fascinated with flavors developed with time and age-old techniques — think anchovies, kimchi, jamon iberico, fish sauce, fermented bean curd, shrimp paste, miso and more. Some call it stinky, I call it umami and delicious!

My absolute favorite food is fresh sea urchin. It’s sweet, briney, creamy and packed with flavors of the ocean (the good kind).

Outside of work, you will find me walking the farmer’s market, picking up fresh catch off the harbor and experimenting with new recipes. I also enjoy hiking, wheel throwing and caring for my vast collection of houseplants.

Born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley, I grew up with a lot of exposure to the food and agriculture industry. Produce stands on the side of farm fields and food manufacturing facilities surrounding many drives around town, I was always interested in how food was made. If there is ever an opportunity to get a farm or factory tour, sign me up!

Outside of work you can find me hiking, walking my dog, traveling or enjoying an iced latte at a local cafe.

As a kid, nothing beat the arrival of late summer when my mom started harvesting our garden to make huge batches of pesto and gazpacho.  Her culinary lessons combined with my favorite TV program, Alton Brown’s science-infused cooking show Good Eats, to form the basis of my food worldview.  I am obsessed with diving deep into the chemistry of food to make it more delicious–an obsession that has only grown stronger in my quest for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. In my downtime, you will find me perusing the cookbook section of the library, feeding my sourdough starter, and surreptitiously picking figs from my neighborhood trees. Show up with a bag of Trader Joe’s elote corn chips, and we may just become best friends.

Good ideas come from everywhere! And, the really good stuff appears when a mix of fine grit, some elbow grease, and a little polish is applied. When I’m not thinking about the future of food or out on a soccer field or cross-country trail cheering on our daughters with my wife – I love building, restoring, and getting out to ride bikes… all sorts of them.

My ride in the food & beverage industry has included the opportunity to build & grow award-winning brands and innovation across categories at companies big & small, including a mission-driven startup of my own. I’ve been on several Pitch Slam stages, helped to develop Gold Effie winning marketing campaigns, and have worked on products that have won Natural Products Expo Nexty Awards. On a volunteer basis, I serve on the executive team of Naturally Bay Area’s board in addition to Naturally Network’s National Board of Directors.

If you really want to impress me – make a lasagna that’s better than my grandma’s was. Or, have a try at tamales that are better than my mother-in-law’s. I dare you!

Peter has spent his entire career in the food and beverage industry and joined Mattson in 2003. 

Peter has worked on a diverse range of product categories and brands during his tenure with Mattson to include: PepsiCo, Gatorade, Soylent, Probar, KraftHeinz, ConAgra, Monin, Attune Foods and many others.

ME + MY FOOD PASSIONS
(150 words or less)

Freshly baked pastries.  A perfectly brewed cup of coffee.  Plated dishes that are both art and food (good food, of course).  A comforting home cooked meal.  The beauty of fresh produce.  Cakes that make people smile (and taste great to boot).  New retail products that make me think “that is so cool!”  The simple joy of fresh bread with butter.  New ways to use familiar ingredients.  Familiar ways to use new ingredients.  Dessert.

I was born and raised in Liverpool, England, and grew up around food with my father who owned Chinese food restaurants and was also a food manufacturer.

I came to California in 1986 and have two beautiful daughters. I love to hike, travel, and enjoy live theater.

As native of the Chicago area, I was raised on a melange of culinary influences including southern Italian from my paternal influence, central European on his mom’s side, and Ukrainian cuisine courtesy of my stepfather. Over the course of my career, I have honed my skills in scratch-made regional Italian and New American food.

In my spare time, I can be found curating my vinyl collection, caring for my pride of cats, enjoying all manner of nature trails, or riding backcountry roads on my motorcycle. Come to my place any given Sunday for pasta night!

My first lesson about food was that it can be a very important part of a person’s life. I was not more than 10 years old when my father took us all the way to Ipoh, Malaysia, because he wanted to have the best fresh rice noodles in the world. Showing us the city where he was born and raised was the second reason. I remember buying fresh, juicy rambutan from a roadside vendor and eating piping hot bak kut teh every breakfast, but everything else about the trip is a blur.

Another lesson about food I’ve learned is that cooking with love is a key to good food. I’m not sure when or where I picked up this concept, but when I see it in someone, I know I’ll be enjoying what I’m about to eat. I try to cook that way, and I’ve also been lucky to have been surrounded by people who do this.

Raised in the woods of Connecticut, my relationship with food started with my father’s cooking. The meals he created every night for me and my family were inspired by his proud motto: “there is no food that I do not like to eat.” Needless to say, we experienced quite a variety at the table growing up, and we’re lucky to have made our home in an agriculturally rich area; we even had a “bring your tractor to school” day at my high school!

Now you can find me every Sunday in San Francisco at my local farmer’s market, right next to my favorite bakery, trying not to buy more than I can eat.

Born and raised in San Francisco to Chinese immigrant parents who have strong roots in traditional Taishanese cooking. My earliest memories of cooking involved helping my mom and grandma make “fun guo” dumpling wrappers, pressing dough balls between a tortilla press, and working out those 4-year-old arm muscles.

I am a new plant mom who is actively trying to learn how to care for houseplants and (despite my intense fear of bugs) nurture a vegetable and fruit garden to encourage more farm-to-table dining. When possible, I love traveling and experiencing the destination’s culture through its local cuisine. An unconventional favorite of mine is from Peru: a cold glass of chicha morada (purple corn drink), a side of cancha serrana (Peruvian corn nuts), and a big plate of split-roasted cuy (guinea pig). YUM!