I was fortunate to grow up in a food-loving family with deep roots in our Chinese heritage. My grandfather's tales of New York City’s diverse Chinatown cuisines and my parents' adventurous spirit when it came to exploring different flavors and cuisines had a profound impact on me. Our family gatherings always centered around the joy of cooking and eating. Despite being labeled a picky eater due to my heightened sense of taste and smell, my passion for baking, especially desserts, brought me immense joy. I embarked on my baking journey at a young age, starting with an Easy Bake oven, and soon transitioned to baking from scratch, where I discovered the magic of transformation that occurs in the oven.

Baking has always been a labor of love for me. Watching my grandmother cook, with her limited English and stern demeanor, left a lasting impression. It was during this time that I understood the emotional power of food when I baked her a sponge roll cake during her battle with arthritis. Baking, for me, is a way to convey love, gratitude, and celebration, and I believe that handcrafted, unique creations hold a special place in our hearts and memories. It's about exploring tastes and textures while sharing the stories and intentions behind each recipe.