Yeah, that’s me…eating, of course…
Thanks for visiting Wishful Chef!
My name is Barbie, I’m a Brooklyn-based graphic designer who is obsessed with anything food related. I originally started this blog to connect to other food lovers out there and to showcase the dishes I would serve on my menu if I were a Chef.
Feel free to reach out to me directly or leave a comment on one of my posts. Comments are always appreciated and I try to respond to most of them.
Me and My Cooking
I am Filipino. Born in Philadelphia, USA. Married to a German. We’ve lived in San Diego and Los Angeles. Now we’re back East in New York City…Brooklyn to be exact and I’m loving it here. I have no formal training in cooking, but these places are my influences.
Rarely do I say no to a certain type of food or cuisine. I love trying new foods and believe it is the best way to learn about different cultures. When I travel, I pretty much eat everything! At home I try to prepare some of these dishes with my own twist.
My recipes are simple using high quality, fresh ingredients whenever possible. I’m not vegetarian, however, I try to cook healthy dishes with a focus on whole grains and vegetables. In some of my recipes, I treat meat like a garnish but I do cook an occasional steak or burger.
Some Popular Posts to Get Started – Or View the Recipe Index
- Chickpea Kale Salad – Flavored with Lemon and Garlic
- Oven Baked Carrot and Sweet Potato Fries
- Coconut Shrimp Curry with Peas and Potatoes
- Green Smoothie – Blueberry Celery Smoothie with Coconut Water
- Healthy Banana Muffins with Yogurt, Pecans and Chocolate Chips
Traveling through South France
Connect With Me!
- Email – all emails are appreciated, please use: wishfulchef [at] gmail [dot] com
- Feedback Form – click here to submit feedback
- Facebook – check out my FB page and “like” Wishful Chef to keep in touch
- Twitter – follow @WishfulChef for recipe updates and other food related tweets
- Pinterest – for my favorite pins check out my pinterest boards
- Newsletter – if you enjoy my posts, please sign up for my free email newsletter to receive the latest recipes in your inbox
Recent Press and Awards
- Recipe contributor on Gojee and SheKnows
- Chickpea Kale Salad featured on best summar salads on Bon Appetit
- Italian Crostini and Banana Apple Green Smoothie featured on TheKitchn
- Raspberry Champagne Cocktail featured on Martha Steward Weddings
- Mini Nutella Whipped Pudding Pies featured on Food Network
- Blueberry Celery Smoothie featured on Women’s Health
All writing and photos by me unless otherwise noted.
I use a Canon EOS Rebel T3 with a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens.
good job
What a beautiful blog, so glad I found you! Just subscribed and looking forward to more recipes
Thanks so much Anna! I’ll be following your blog as well, love your cookie recipes
you look PILIPINO to me…are you? i am…and i love chickpeas..healthy food is great as we PILIPINOS grew up with mostly fried foods.
you must have an exciting career as a graphic designer…
can you speak tagalog?
Hey, thanks for stopping by!
Yes, I am Pilipino but was born in the US. Unfortunately not fluent in tagalog but I understand quite a bit.
Hope you enjoy the recipes, I have a few filipino ones as well.
Just found your site-and I can tell I’m going to be stopping by a lot. You cook the way I love to eat! I’m a sahm of 4 in San Diego-and I’m always on the hunt for delicious, fresh, healthy foods with an ethnic flair. Can’t wait to try some of your recipes!
Thank you so much, Heidi
So happy you enjoy my way of cooking!
I used to live in San Diego and I think the time I spent there has definitely influenced my cooking. Looking forward to hearing from you again.
Just discovered your site and I absolutely LOVE it! Can’t wait to start trying these recipes!!
Thank you for the kind words, Shay! Happy cooking and hope you enjoy the recipes
Hi Barb,
I am so happy I stumble upon your dish on tastspotting. Then one dish led to another, pin after pin and I am sure I will be stopping by more often for really awesome recipes. I added you to my blogroll in my blog for an easy bookmark.
PS.
I am also Filipino and I am so happy to find a fellow Pinay having this much success in her blog. Mabuhay.
Hi Janis,
Thank you so much for your nice comment and adding me to your blogroll! Your photos are lovely, especially the images of your daughter, adorable. Thanks for taking the time to browse my recipes and please keep in touch!
Salamat
Barb
Hi! i just found your blog after searching for baked turkey meatballs. What a great site, I love the pictures and all the healthy recipes. I am sure I will be checking your blog regularly. Thanks!!
Hi Nisha – Thank you for the kind words about my blog! Happy cooking and please do keep in touch
Your blog is beautiful and your recipes look delicious and nutritious. So looking forward to following your blog and trying many of your recipes.
Thanks so much, Kim! I’ll be sure to check out your blog as well.
Hello Barbie… Just came across your site while searching for a recipe for Flan. I misread it and used 1 teaspoon of vanilla instead of the 1 tablespoon that u have listed. It came out perty good though. I too am filipino, but sadly don’t speak tagalog. Born and raised in SoCal (San Bernardino area), and have been living here in PA for the past 19 yrs. We’re just north east of Philly in Bucks Co. Looking forward to reading what’s on your “Recipe Index”. Did I see that you’re on FB as well?
Hi Celestine – Thanks for your comment. I’m so glad you found my blog! I was born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs in Montgomery Co., so not far from where you are
Hope to see you back here soon. Sign up for my newsletter or go on my FB page at http://www.facebook.com/WishfulChef
SO MUCH BEAUTIFUL FOOD! GLAD I FOUND YOUR BLOG! CAN’T WAIT TO TRY YOUR VEGETARIAN RECIPES!
Thanks so much, Michelle! Can’t wait to hear how you like the vegetarian recipes
do you sell peanuts with garlic ?
No, I only provide the recipes…but something to think about