Well, Hello There!
I’m Kathleen and I live in the Atlanta area. You may be wondering, what is a hapa? Hapa is an indigenous Hawaiian word used to characterize mixed-race people. Literally meaning, ‘half’ – it describes someone who is half native Hawaiian. However, it has been adopted by those who are half of any race.
In a lifelong search to discover where I belong and what group I identify with, I found that food is the strongest tie that brings us together. On Hapa Nom Nom, food is a kind of connective tissue, bringing my background, family, travels, and tastes together in one delicious bite. It’s a new take on fusion, and a deliciously modern way to think about how we bring a wealth of life’s experiences with us as we learn to cook for ourselves – mixing cultures, and simplifying traditional techniques. I’m a hapa girl, a happy mix of Swedish, Scottish, and English (my mother) and Japanese (my father). When I think of blending cuisines, it extends beyond mere ingredients. It can also translate into various cooking methods and final presentation.