I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, USA. Before that, I worked in a public relations company and quickly realized I'd rather do my "spinning" in the kitchen. Moving to NYC, I worked at the New York Restaurant School briefly and after CIA, worked for Tappan Hill / Abigail Kirsch Culinary Productions in Tarrytown, NY. The art of catering opened my eyes to a whole new
world. Post CIA, I studied under former Executive Pastry Chef of the White House Albert Kumin at the International Pastry Arts Centre in Elmsford, NY. After Tappan Hill, I opened a catering company with one of my best friends, Avery Wuest-Horne that operated in Greenwich CT & Westchester County, NY. The business didn’t survive but our friendship did. Moving back to Asia allowed me the opportunity to hone my skills in Thai and Vietnamese cuisines. Aissa's Kitchen Cooking Classes started in Hong Kong in 1998-2005. Moving back to the Philippines was a mixed blessing. While I mourned leaving Hong Kong, my home for 17 years, I was/am blessed with the opportunity to work with Marivic Diaz-Lim, owner and founder of Apartment1b in 2016 till now. I have learned a great deal and am grateful for the privilege and the relationships made along the way. Food has been my passion and profession. Lately, I’ve pivoted into Health Coaching. I am grateful for all I’ve learned and would love to pay it forward. We truly are what we eat. I’ll be sharing recipes of healthy meals and habits that will transform your life towards optimal health.
