Food Explorer / Storyteller / Founder

Shanti Maravillas Christensen, born in Guam and raised in northern Califoria, travels China meeting families who teach her their favorite home-style recipes. She writes and photographs while collecting recipes for a future cookbook. Her Filipino mother and Danish-American father passed their wanderlust and passion for food to her through their own stories of travel. Shanti has lived in Beijing since January 2007. Shanti enjoys making dinner for friends and family, bringing new flavors and tales to the table.

Why did I start this project?

Writer / Collaborator

Juling ‘Adeline’ He (何菊玲), born in Hubei and living in Beijing, has a passion for reading and writing. She studied English Literature at Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology. One of her English teachers told her she possessed a Victorian style of writing when once she used the word “azure” to describe the sky. Juling writes in both English and Chinese for her blog, HeJuling.com.

 Inspiring contributors

Cristina Lopez McLauchlan, born in the Philippines and raised in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Morocco to name a few. Though a ‘kiwi’, Cristina is of a generously mixed bloodline growing up as a globetrotter. She settled in New Zealand for over a decade where she gained experience within the hospitality industry encompassing 5-star hotels and event / catering agencies. Presently, she lives in Beijing. Her creativity and passion for design, food, family, friends, travel and celebrations continues to inspire her towards the fulfillment of creating unique experiences with impact.