What am I up to?
Crafting a life I love through exploring top restaurants and sustainability projects around the world, coaching and teaching on trauma healing, and friendship and family.
In the decade pre-pandemic, I spent half my life on a plane. I lectured on sustainability, led workshops at the world’s top restaurants, road tripped around Europe and Asia, and devoted myself to parenting with joy and intention. I spent the covid era in Boston, producing a cooking show starring the best chef in my world: my mother.
In 2025, I continue my trauma healing studies and coaching of clients around the world. I am dedicated to the most compassionate methods to heal the mind, body and nervous system, and I assist renowned psychiatrist, Bessel Van der Kolk at workshops and conferences.
I continue traveling to top global restaurants and regenerative farms, most recently attending the Stockholm . I’ve been particularly thrilled to celebrate young, creative chefs across Mainland China.
My recent speaking events
Master Workshops with chef andre chiang, taiwan
TastyTrip gastronomic forum, St Regis shanghai
Chefs world summit, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Behind-the-scenes of my latest adventures
See more adventures on my microblog
About
I was lucky enough to be in the right time and place covering one of the world's most dynamic food scenes, starting in 2002. I am also passionate about the study of trauma healing and nervous system regulation, in my work as a life coach. Originally from Boston, I came to China over 20 years ago as a student and later worked as China correspondent for Time Warner. I'm based in between Cambridge, MA and Shanghai, China--and I travel frequently around the globe.
Television Hosting
I have been a regular guest and host on many shows in China and abroad including programs on the BBC, CNN, ABC, National Geographic, CCTV, Discovery Channel, Germany's ARD and more.
International publications
I've contributed to magazines around the world including Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Conde Nast Traveler, Surface, Departures, The New York Times T Style Magazine, AFAR and many more.
time out shanghai
As Food Editor for Shanghai's premier magazine for nearly five years, I reviewed restaurants, interviewed street chefs and star chefs, and visited organic farms and five-star resorts. Click here for selected features.
ACADEMY CHAIR
As Academy Chair for the World's 50 Best Restaurants, I represent China & Korea for the list.
Recognized as a trusted arbiter of what matters in global cuisine, the World's 50 Best is one of the most prestigious honors in fine dining. The organization also includes The World's 50 Best Bars & Asia's 50 Best Bars.
Bon App
I'm Partner and Strategic Advisor for Bon App, Asia's most popular bilingual restaurant review and lifestyle app. We are the must-have app for discovering great restaurants, essential resources in your city and awesome events.
Based in Shanghai, we have expanded to 13 cities in Asia including Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Tokyo Bangkok and Taipei. Coming to one of our cities? Download Bon App!
public speaking & consulting
I speak on topics from sustainability to mindfulness and connecting to our values. I have given talks at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York, Bellagio Shanghai, Sophia University Tokyo, The University of Toronto, and others.
I consult for international brands on dining trends around the world. My clients have included Unilever, PepsiCo., Starbucks, IDEO and more.
crystylized COACHING
As a holistic life coach, I work with clients to grow awareness, self-compassion, self-leadership and healthy relationships. I am honored to witness my clients' transformations. I work with clients around the world, from Berlin to Beijing.
I am a certified Bulletproof Coach, and I am trained in Hakomi, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and many meditation approaches.
In photos: a peek into my visit to one of Spain’s top sustainable restaurants, nestled above the rolling green hills outside Bilbao.