Yana Gilbuena

For Yana, cooking was therapy and an adventure -- it was another venue to explore creativity. Growing up as an only child, her childhood revolved around the kitchen with her aunt and grandma, who loved to cook. They say smell is the strongest memory-invoker; so since she left the Philippines and moved to LA then New York City, she strove to re-create and innovate upon the flavors and smells of her island using ready and accessible ingredients -- keeping it as close to “home” yet local.