Pilar Valdes was born and braised in the sticky tropical hearth of Manila, Philippines, amidst the spin of her family’s lazy susan. She graduated with a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and spent the early years of her professional life working with young people through popular education workshops and video storytelling. In 2010, longing for both the proverbial stove of her childhood and relationships forged over shared meals she switched careers and co-founded Kickshaw Cookery, a bespoke catering company placing a premium on carefully-sourced ingredients and thoughtfully-crafted menus. Co-author of the New York times bestselling REBEL HOMEMAKER, she currently worlds as a private chef and is the Senior Culinary Contributor on the Brew Barrymore Show. She has always been a good eater.