ABOUT JOIE

“My heart always loops back to memories of Lola’s (Grandma’s) outdoor kitchen in the Philippines with the sweet musky smell of simmering guava jam perfuming the air. Four-year-old me would sit on the back step in the sunshine and eat ripe mangoes from our orchard, mango juice dripping down my chin and my arms. It was the epitome of happiness in a single moment — pure bliss. The way we remember food is visceral; I want my readers to feel every treasured moment and savour both the sweetness and the sadness of memory.”
— Joie Alvaro Kent

Food is precious. My grandmother taught me this while showing me how to scrape off every last bit of mango flesh from the skin.

Food is connection. Teaching my son to prepare his mise, properly gather herbs, cook adobo, all spoke to the bonds that food helps create between generations.

Food is community. The people who produce, prepare, and serve are the real story behind every dish, every glass, every ingredient.

I am honoured to amplify the experiences and connections of our vibrant culinary sector for nearly two decades. Storyteller and promoter, consultant and judge, advocate and mentor — my path has taken many turns, all of them leading me to deep friendships, deeper understandings, and an enduring respect and awe for those who choose to dedicate their lives to this industry with passion and pride.

RECOGNITION

Awards, Appearances, and Press

  • TASTE CANADA | AWARDS

    2023 Taste Awards: Gold – Regional / Cultural Cookbooks
    WHERE THE RIVER NARROWS

    Classic French and Nostalgic Québécois Recipes From St. Lawrence Restaurant.
    By J-C Poirier with Joie Alvaro Kent, Appetite by Random House, Vancouver.

    The award is given to the best cookbook written by a Canadian author (or authors), which best exemplifies the cooking of a specific terroir or region in Canada, or, the cooking of a specific ethnic group (in terms of race, nationality, or religious heritage) in Canada or around the world.

    LEARN MORE

  • ENROUTE AIR CANADA | PANELLIST

    Here’s How We Find Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants
    MEET THE TEAM OF EXPERTS WHO SHAPED THIS YEAR'S LONGLIST.

    The annual search starts with our national panel of experts, who nominate recent openings in their regions — that means any food establishment that was up and running between late spring 2023 and 2024.

    Joie Alvaro Kent is Vancouver's Head Judge for the Canadian Culinary Championship and co-author of the award-winning cookbooks Maenam and Where the River Narrows.

    LEARN MORE
  • Chefs Ralph Cravalho and Alden Ong with Indáy curator Joie Alvaro Kent. Photo, Julian Sun.

    THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT | PRESS

    The Georgia Straight Food — By V.S. Wells
    NEW FILIPINO CANADIAN CHEF EXCHANGE INDÁY KICKS OFF IN VANCOUVER

    “Filipino cuisine has often been underrated or simply under-the-radar in Canada,” says Joie Alvaro Kent, Canadian Culinary Championship judge (and sometime Straight contributor), in a statement. 

    That underestimation provided the impetus for Indáy. Together with Lee’s Donuts co-owner Celine Bacani, Alvaro Kent has put together a new chef exchange event series that sees Filipino Canadian kitchen professionals show off, reimagine, or iterate on the best of Pinoy food.

    READ MORE

  • GLOBAL BC NEWS | PRESS

     Global BC News — Weekend Morning Live
    CELEBRATING FILIPINO-CANADIAN HERITAGE

    Four rising young chefs from BC and Alberta are celebrating their Filipino-Canadian heritage with a cooking chef exchange. Award-winning cookbook author and Canadian Culinary Championship judge Joie Alvaro Kent, joins Jennifer Palma on Global News Morning Weekend BC.

    WATCH HERE

  • THE NOSH PODCAST | PRESS

    The Nosh on Vancouver Co-op Radio – CFRO 100.5 FM
    EPISODE 182: INDÁY CELEBRATES FILIPINO CUISINE

    The Philippines are a group of 6,000+ islands and more than 200 languages and cultures. The idea of Filipino cuisine as being a monolith of steam-table cafeteria-style fare is one that has persisted too long and is now slowly being replaced with the understanding that what we know about Filipino cuisine represents only a tiny fraction of the whole story.

    A group of intrepid Filipino-Canadians are launching a collaborative dining series that explores the essence and evolution of Filipino cuisine, its diversity of regions and flavours, and what it means to be Filipino in Canada. Anya Levykh chats with the group behind Indáy to learn more.

    LISTEN HERE
  • Joie Alvaro Kent, Canadian Culinary Championship Vancouver Senior Judge, photographing a dish at the 2022 Vancouver Regionals. Photo, Jordan Chan.

    CBC RADIO | PRESS

    CBC On the Coast with Gloria Macarenko
    CANADA'S GREAT KITCHEN PARTY COMES TO BC PLACE STADIUM

    Gloria Macarenko talks with Canadian Culinary Championship Vancouver Senior Judge, Joie Alvaro Kent, about the 2023 regional culinary competition between nine B.C. chefs taking place at B.C. Place.

    On the Coast catches you up on the news of the day, brings you in depth analysis, showcases the arts, and offers you ideas about what you can do in Metro Vancouver.

    LISTEN HERE