I was raised in a Peruvian Chinese family rooted in farming, fishing, and cooking. Growing up along the Peruvian coast, I remember exploring the local mountains to harvest wild fruits and vegetables, fishing from sea cliffs to make fresh ceviche, and enjoying Chifa cuisine in my grandfather's restaurant. This early exposure to Peruvian gastronomy would become the foundation of my culinary career later in life.

 

I moved to NYC and attended The Cooper Union School of Fine Arts. Years later, I enrolled in The Institute of Culinary Education to pursue a career in professional kitchens. I began my food styling career at Food Network, where I was the Senior Food Stylist from 2003 to 2013. I currently reside in Los Angeles, where I continue my work as a food stylist, recipe developer, cookware product tester, and menu consultant.