Author Biography

Nina Daza Puyat is the youngest daughter of Nora Daza and sister of celebrity chef, Sandy Daza. A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, she used to work in the family’s French restaurant in Manila, Au Bon Vivant, and their Filipino restaurant in Paris, Aux Iles Philippines.

After twenty-two years as a homemaker, she became the editor-in-chief of Appetite Magazine and the Cooking with Appetite cookbooks from 2011-2017. Today, she continues to dabble in recipe development and contributes food articles to Manila Bulletin.

Nina Daza Puyat is a proud home cook who believes that mastering a recipe is not only gratifying but also empowering. For her, cooking is a lifelong skill that must be honed with constant practice, so that one continues to gain confidence in the kitchen. She encourages home cooks to write notes on this book so that they can customize the dishes to suit their own tastes.

Nina enjoys visiting wet markets in the Philippines and abroad to learn more about fresh ingredients brought in my local farmers and fishermen. Her advice: “Always be curious and open to tasting all kinds of food—especially regional Filipino dishes as well as traditional dishes from around the world. Experiencing the rich diversity of flavors in food teaches us to appreciate the uniqueness of different cultures.”