But she was no overnight success. Her journey started when she was born in her grandfather’s bakery in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. She was always passionate about food and loved to bake and cook, but she was preoccupied with motherhood. She was a medical biller, makeup artist, and real estate agent before she finally decided to get a culinary degree from the Academy of Culinary Education in California, but still “just for fun.” After graduation, she resumed housewifehood for two more years until a friend urged her to apply at Yamashiro for an opening for a pastry chef. She did so reluctantly, and was shocked to get the job—and to have to fight for survival in the toxic macho environment of an all-male kitchen. Listen to this episode to hear the rest of this inspiring story!