My Story
My passion for travel, food, and adventure ignited long before I even knew how to articulate it.
It all began when I was just 11 years old, gearing up for my first big adventure. I strapped on a backpack and set out with my mom, a couple of her friends, my two brothers (ages 9 and 2), and a bunch of llamas into the heart of the Trinity Alps. I might not have held a driver’s license yet, but that didn’t stop me from feeling like I was embarking on a grand journey. From that point on, I became hooked on the thrill of exploration and the joy of discovering new places, people, and most importantly, new flavors.
Camping wasn’t just a sporadic weekend getaway for us; it was a lifestyle. The crackling of a campfire, the scent of pine in the air, and the gentle sound of a river flowing nearby became the soundtrack of my childhood. My family was never about luxurious resorts; instead, we pitched our tents in the scenic and often remote spots of California, from the rugged Marble Mountains to the hidden corners of the Portola Redwoods. Each of those trips wrote a new chapter in my story of love for nature, adventure, and the simple pleasure of dining under the stars.
But the mountains, rivers, and forests weren’t the only things that fueled my wanderlust; it was the food too. Cooking in the wild taught me some fundamental skills, like my first attempt at grilling freshly caught fish over an open flame. The satisfaction of biting into a meal I had helped prepare was something special. Those early culinary experiences taught me that food goes beyond ingredients; it’s intertwined with the environment, the company you keep, and the stories you share over a meal. I can still vividly remember the flickering firelight on my momma’s face as we prepared hobo dinners and banana boats, with all of us swapping our daily adventures—it became just as memorable as the food itself.
One of my fondest memories unfolded during my 5th-grade year when my mom chose to homeschool us. It was more than just learning from textbooks; it was about immersing ourselves in the world around us. My family piled into our green travelall with our 15-foot pink and white trailer, embarking on a year-long adventure across California. We explored new places, visited friends and family, and unearthed hidden gems in towns I had never heard of. All of this happened before smartphones, so I quickly became the navigator! Each destination was a lesson in history and culture, and with every stop, it felt like I was uncovering another piece of the world that would later fuel my desire to keep exploring.
One of the most eye-opening chapters of my travel story was my time studying abroad in Sweden. It wasn’t just about the academics; it was the chance to explore a new world. During that year, I explored nine different countries, each adding new layers to my understanding of life. My weekends were spent hopping through the charming streets of Copenhagen and the peaceful canals of Annecy in France. I remember biking through the fragrant fields near Amsterdam, taking a cruise in Finland where the ice parted as we pulled into the harbor, and squeezing in spontaneous trips to Russia, Italy, Spain, and France.
Studying in Sweden opened my eyes to the beauty of different cultures and how food plays a role in bringing people together. One frozen day, we barbecued hotdogs and made banana boats over a fire after skating on a frozen lake – banana boats in Sweden! I vividly recall baking and enjoying Semla with my Swedish peer, the first taste of it was an unforgettable experience. Savoring pistachio gelato in Florence, overlooking the Ponte Vecchio, or enjoying a fresh chocolate croissant in Paris was a lesson in flavor. Sharing simple homemade meals with Swedish friends, like herring and smoked salmon, was a ritual of comfort and connection—reminding me that food represents far more than mere sustenance; it’s a connector of souls and cultures.
Then came one of the most significant adventures of my life: meeting my future husband. Little did I know, our union would introduce me to a wonderfully diverse and dynamic family—a beautiful blend of French, Tongan, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and African American cultures. We embraced our differences and celebrated our common love for food. Food became the universal language that tied us together, from savoring rich Dim Sum on Sundays to enjoying Tongan feasts with roasted pigs in our backyard, and indulging in the soul-satisfying goodness of Southern BBQ and luxurious French delicacies. Through these various culinary traditions, I learned how food can unite people from all walks of life. Sitting down together at the table to share a meal prepared with love became more than just a family tradition; it became a heartfelt way of honoring and understanding each other’s histories.
There came a time when we took a leap and decided to pursue our dream of self-sufficiency. We transformed a small patch of land into our own urban homestead right in the middle of the busy San Francisco Bay Area. Our days became a delightful mix of canning jams and catsup, the cheerful sounds of chickens clucking in the backyard, and finding joy in watching our garden thrive. We welcomed a variety of animals into our lives — chickens, goats, quail, rabbits, Muscovy ducks, and even a couple of turkeys each year — treating them as beloved members of our family. Our rotating gardens allowed us to grow our own food, ensuring that the soil remained healthy and the harvest plentiful.
This little slice of earth became not just a food source but a sanctuary, enabling us to engage fully in the cycle of growing, tending, and harvesting what we ate. We planted 43 fruit trees, each one a promise of new flavors to experience, preserve, or pickle every season. From the sweet apricots in the spring to summer apples and the tartness of loquats in the fall, each tree deepened our connection to the land and to one another. As time went on, my travels evolved from humble camping and backpacking trips to some of the most luxurious experiences imaginable.
I started exploring the balance between adventure and indulgence, staying at beautiful hotels like Tambo Del Inka in the Sacred Valley and The Colca Lodge in one of the deepest canyons or in a Scottish castle during Easter, watching bunnies frolicking in the gardens. I discovered a new dimension of travel that expertly blended the thrill of exploration with the comforts of high-end relaxation. Mornings began with sunrises in our private hot springs, followed by breakfast spreads that could rival any 5-star buffet. But it wasn’t just about where I stayed; it was all about the food. Dining at some of the world’s top 50 restaurants became a passion of mine.
I’ve been lucky enough to experience Michelin-starred meals at places like Maido in Lima and Alinea in Chicago, where each dish felt like a meticulously crafted piece of art that brought the story of its origin, culture, and chef to life. It was in these settings that I truly grasped the artistry behind food and how it can elevate an experience to something almost spiritual.
I also sought out more unconventional luxury adventures, like glamping in the desert. I had the chance to stay in a stunning, well-equipped tent in the Peruvian desert, surrounded by endless views of golden sands. It was the perfect combination of rugged adventure and plush comfort — think luxurious beds, personal chefs whipping up gourmet meals under the stars, and guides leading me on dune buggies, sandboarding, and inner tubing across the dunes. That experience revealed a new realm of adventure, where the boundaries between nature and luxury blurred, each detail designed to immerse me in both beauty and comfort.
Traveling through 17 countries has introduced me to a rich tapestry of flavors, customs, and traditions. I savored paella in Spain, learned to make adobo in Mexico, and enjoyed an unforgettable meal in Peru, overlooking the Moray Archaeological site at Mil Centro, where the diverse food varietals at varying altitudes are celebrated. In Scotland, I fell in love with the pairings at a charming restaurant in Oban, and I couldn’t resist the ceviche in Peru! Each meal was an adventure, a chance to delve not just into new tastes but also into different ways of life.
Every trip was an adventure, whether I was trekking through the Andes in South America, hiking around Machu Picchu, or sampling street food in Lima. I’ll never forget the police escort I received one full moon night out of a Spanish castle in Granada, or my picturesque ATV ride up to Rainbow Mountain, followed by a hike to a staggering 16,522 feet! I don’t just want to see the world; I want to live it, immersing myself in every corner, every hidden gem, flavor, and tradition. With each new experience, my passion for the world around me has only grown deeper — its wonders and the incredibly vibrant people who inhabit it.
My culinary journey took an unexpected turn when I discovered I was allergic to coconut and had celiac disease. At first, I was blindsided by this revelation. It felt like the world of flavors I had embraced began to shrink in front of me, and the joyous exploration of food was tainted by the fear of throwing up for hours, aching so bad I couldn’t move, or feeling like I wanted to be hospitalized. Suddenly, I found myself navigating a world where many of my favorite ingredients were off-limits, and every meal became a decision point between what I craved and what my body could tolerate. The thrill of culinary exploration turned into a cautious dance, questioning every ingredient and double-checking menus. This shift not only affected my cooking at home but challenged the way I traveled. I couldn’t visit new cities or countries carefree, knowing the possibility of an unexpected reaction loomed.
With this newfound perspective, I adapted by dehydrating my meals for road trips and backpacking adventures, ensuring I could enjoy tasty and safe food on the go. No longer could I rely on just any meal; I had to plan meticulously, taking control over what I consumed. This drive for safe yet delicious meals ultimately led me to launch Stargazer Gourmet, a freeze-drying company dedicated to creating meals that cater to those with the same dietary restrictions. Our offerings provide delicious, gluten and coconut-free meals for backpackers, campers, and families seeking nutritious options without sacrificing flavor. I wanted to ensure that anyone with allergies could not only enjoy the great outdoors but do so with a variety of vibrant flavors that went beyond the limited options found in most outdoor stores. So I created both businesses, The Wanderful Gourmet and Stargazer Gourmet, so I could empower adventurers and busy families alike to savor beautiful, tasty meals wherever life takes them, all while embracing their unique dietary needs.
Now, as I reflect on the journeys that have brought me to this moment, I realize that my love for travel, food, and adventure isn’t merely about the places I’ve visited or the meals I’ve enjoyed. It’s about the powerful transformation that comes from stepping outside my comfort zone, pushing boundaries, and embracing the world in all its complex beauty. It’s about conversations over a steaming bowl of chowder in Maine, moments of quiet awe watching the sunrise over the French Alps in Val d’Isere, and the satisfaction of knowing that every new adventure will shape me in ways I cannot yet fathom.
I started backpacking at 11, and in many ways, I’ve never stopped. Every journey adds a new chapter to the story I’m still writing — one filled with adventure, discovery, and, of course, the kind of food that can only be truly savored when shared with others in the heart of a new place.
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