Culinary Expertise and Journey

I’ve been cooking for almost 30 years — mostly self-taught, learned through trial, error, and a whole lot of recipes that didn’t work the first time (or the second, or the third 😅).

I’ve picked up solid culinary techniques over the years — from knife skills to flavor-building. I’m also a learner at heart – I am constantly exposing myself to new culinary experiences and learning new cooking techniques, then finding ways to translate all that to approachable cooking. I want to always provide you with fresh and exciting recipes. And also, let’s be real – I’ll do that just for myself because that’s my passion. ☺️

I created Joyous Apron in 2018 when I decided to take a chance on starting my own business and launching my food blog.

At that time, I was a marketing professional and spent the last decade working in the corporate world. I knew it was time to switch course and do what I was truly passionate about – creating recipes and sharing food with others.

I love food and have been cooking since I was a teenager growing up in Penang, Malaysia. I came from a heavy food culture and a family of cooking and food enthusiasts. My grandmother and aunts from both sides of the family are incredible cooks and I grew up learning from them and eating good food all the time. We take our food very seriously.

When I was 19, I moved to the United States for college. I have since lived in many cities in different parts of the country, travelled for work and pleasure, and had the chance to be exposed to a variety of cuisine and culinary methods.

Just like my experience, on this blog you will see a little bit of everything, and you will notice the influence of my upbringing and experience in the foods I create and write about.