This past week has been very difficult. Thank you to everyone who reached out to me with words of comfort.

There are so many things to catch you guys up on. I won something! I did an interview with one of my favorite sites! And let’s revisit some wonderful recipes that I know you will all love.

2016 Saveur Magazine Blog Awards

At the end of last month, Hello My Dumpling, was honored with a SAVEUR Magazine’s Blog Award in the category of Best Photography. Thank you to everyone for the support! It was an amazing dream come true and will only push me to work harder to keep improving. The best part of the two day event held for the nominees here in NYC (recap here) was the chance to meet and get to know many of the super talented bloggers that I have been following for years. I totally fangirled meeting Mandy of Lady and Pups and Alexandra of Alexandra’s Kitchen. I am looking forward to geeking out on photography and collaborating with Betty of bettysliu.com. And it was amazing to put a face to two wonderful bloggers from down under, Claudia of The Brick Kitchen and Thalia of Butter and Brioche. Such an amazing group of people.

Here I am with all of the other winners. Not sure what I’m looking at in this photo, but take a look at all of the winners here!

Photo by Matt Taylor-Gross

Interview for Eyeswoon

One of the most amazing women that I’ve had the pleasure to meet and work with this past year is lifestyle guru, Athena Calderone. Her generous spirit and support has been such a catalyst in my photography career so far and I am so honored to be featured among the talented people she has interviewed for her site.

Take a look at the full Eyeswoon interview here! I discuss how, after years of stumbling around, I finally discovered my passion and turned it into my career. I go into the challenges I face as a self-taught photographer, my recipe development process, and my favorite ingredients. We also revisit one of my favorite Hello My Dumpling recipes, Sichuan BLT w/ 5 Spice Bacon and Fried Green Tomatoes.

Swoon over some other wonderful stories and recipes that I collaborated on with Athena. See the luscious, juicy chicken and big plump dumplings in these photos? You know you want to wrap yourself in a big blanket with a steaming bowl of this ultimate comfort dish in your lap. Well what are you waiting for? Click on the links below!

Braised Chicken + Polenta Dumplings with Mushrooms

A Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two + Rack of Lamb with Chermoula

Blood Orange Yogurt Bundt Cake with a Bitters and Bourbon Glaze

An Easter Story + Carrot Cake Trifle

Beauty Story with Estée Lauder + First of Spring Fattoush

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