ABOUT JOIE
“My heart always loops back to memories of Lola’s (Grandma’s) outdoor kitchen in the Philippines with the sweet musky smell of simmering guava jam perfuming the air. Four-year-old me would sit on the back step in the sunshine and eat ripe mangoes from our orchard, mango juice dripping down my chin and my arms. It was the epitome of happiness in a single moment — pure bliss. The way we remember food is visceral; I want my readers to feel every treasured moment and savour both the sweetness and the sadness of memory.”
Food is precious. My grandmother taught me this while showing me how to scrape off every last bit of mango flesh from the skin.
Food is connection. Teaching my son to prepare his mise, properly gather herbs, cook adobo, all spoke to the bonds that food helps create between generations.
Food is community. The people who produce, prepare, and serve are the real story behind every dish, every glass, every ingredient.
I am so privileged to be able to share the stories and connections of this vibrant community. For more than two decades, I have written, told, and amplified these stories. Storyteller and promoter, consultant and judge, advocate and mentor — my path has taken many turns, all of them leading me to deep friendships, deeper understandings, and an enduring respect and awe for those who choose to make this industry their life with passion and pride.