Born into a family of different Asian cultures in Hawaii, Chef Eva grew up immersed in the lush bounty of the Hawaiian islands. She learned early on that food is the connection between people and the land. In 2013, she spent time in Hong Kong and China honing her skills and tapping into her heritage. Upon moving back to North America, Eva went on to work at restaurants in Portland and San Francisco before helming the kitchens at Vancouver’s Royal Dinette and Toronto’s Kōjin by Momofuku, among others. It was in Toronto she began to explore the fusion and diversity of Asian cuisines, earning her a spot in the Canada’s top 100 best restaurant list of 2020.

Eva also oversees her brand, The Soy Luck Club — telling life stories through her food. The Soy Luck Club is Chef Eva’s love letter to Chinese cuisine, weaving through stories that connect our community and culture. Out of profound respect for its diverse flavors and ingredients, and inspired by the nostalgia of our food memories and the thrill of our travels. The Soy Luck Club was chosen as one of the top ten pop- ups in the country by Enroute magazine.

Chef Eva was the Executive Chef of Avling restaurant in Leslieville, then served as Culinary Director for The Highbell Group. Now, she’s proud to head Yan Dining Room, a micro-restaurant within Hong Shin, serving neo-Chinese cuisine.