Hailing from Manila, where her family's roots intertwine with the culinary and artistic heritage of Pampanga, Joan's journey began in her grandmother's kitchen at the tender age of ten. Armed with a Fine Arts degree and a thriving career as an Art Director, she danced between her passions, never shelving her culinary love. While her primary path led her through a dynamic career in art direction, her culinary heart thrived alongside as a constant companion. Over the course of 20 years, she not only painted occasional masterpieces but also expertly navigated her career across multinational agencies in the Philippines, Vietnam, Italy, and now Australia.

 

Known affectionately as The Artist Chef in Manila, her fame blossomed through intimate dinners tailored for diverse couples. A hundred pairs delighted in her creations before her expat career move to Vietnam in 2009, igniting her culinary flames across Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the UK. She'd spread feasts across sprawling tables in metropolises like Manila, Saigon, Sydney, Florence, Milan, and London.

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In 2010, London unfurled a dream as she met her idol, Jamie Oliver. Roaming his culinary empire's offices, test kitchens, studios, and restaurants felt surreal, a tangible homage to the culinary expert who infused her style and philosophy. This step embarked her on another dream: she relinquished her corporate role in 2011, moving to Italy's renaissance capital, Florence-- to delve deep into the "Evolution of Italian Cuisine" 

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The Asian wind beckoned her back in 2012, where she proudly bore the mantle of Jamie Oliver Food Revolution Ambassador in Manila. Nestled in Saigon, she curated her café, her recipes pirouetting on the menu, while simultaneously steering its course for over a year. Her culinary expertise graced the pages of Asia Life Magazine, her monthly column a feast for readers. Returning to her advertising voyage in Vietnam, she found equilibrium as a Creative Director in the digital realm while brushing dreams with her food styling.

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Amidst her dual career ballet, Joan continued her artistic journey, her unique style crafting intricate fantasies and surrealism. The fruits of her imagination adorned solo exhibitions in Saigon, Florence, and Sydney.

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Sydney became her haven in December 2014, where the doors of Jamie Oliver's restaurant in Canberra revealed her truth: she was a culinary artist at heart. She now orchestrates a symphony of roles – a Culinarian, a Painter brushing dreams, a Creative Chick in her cherished advertising work, and, of course, a devoted partner.