Yotaka grew up in the village of San Maket, Chiang Rai on a farm where her family grew rice, herbs, fruit, and raised animals. She spent her childhood in the kitchen with her mom, aunts and uncles, and grandma cooking what they grew. Wherever she traveled, she ended up in the kitchen learning different dishes, techniques, and usage for regional ingredients to develop her own unique cooking style.

Upon moving to the USA, Yotaka made it her goal to introduce people to the unique flavors that remind her of home, so people who haven’t had the chance to spend time in smaller Thai towns and villages would have the opportunity to taste the dishes that her friends and family are most proud of.