The Shorter Version
I am a lawyer, writer, content creator and the founder of Chu on This, a blog-turned-brand and consulting business focused on sharing my research and experiences in culinary culture since 2010. I have partnered with numerous brands and organizations over the years including Le Creuset Canada, the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Canada, the Culinary Tourism Alliance, Food Network Canada, Peru Well Served, and UP Norway. I have eaten my way through over 30 countries and documented my journeys along the way.
Here are some ways we can work together:
- Find the best restaurants for any occasion in Toronto or Montréal (start with the City Guides tab if you just want to do it yourself, or contact me if you need help planning a special dinner or event)
- Collaborate on a culinary cultural project
- Invite me to explore and profile your city or restaurant
- Invite me to speak or write on food and culture
- Commission me for creative art projects (check out Chu on This Studio at the “Studio” tab in the menu)
If you are interested in any of the above, please email me at annie@chuonthis.ca.
The Longer Version
Chu on This has a few origin stories. You could say the first version of the “food blog” began when I was an exchange student in France, at a time when Instagram didn’t exist, and blogs were “pretty cool”. The next (and official) stage of that food blog started two years later when I thought it would be fun to document my week-long work trip to Québec City, where I was left alone with a generous per diem in the land of tourtière and sugar pies. I started having more fun (and getting more serious with) writing about events and restaurants in Ottawa for the benefit of my friends and colleagues, and a growing number of Ottawa locals.
Eventually, I moved to Toronto for law school and I found refuge in continuing to build Chu on This to document any remotely exciting food experience I had, even if it was just making gloopy gnocchi with ingredients I bought from the cafeteria in my tiny law school dorm room. I was able to get through the gruelling memos, essays, competitions and exams knowing that I had a place where I could do some creative writing, practise my photography, and keep myself accountable to all those trips and things I wanted to do.
When I started practicing law, I realized I needed Chu on This as an outlet even more, and I started becoming more accountable to an audience as well. Eventually, I started to build this website and Instagram account targeted towards other lawyers and young professionals who needed to find the perfect restaurant for their client lunches, come up with travel itineraries that included authentic food and experiences, discover local speciality ingredients and supper clubs, and decide on whether they might want to buy Le Creuset Canada’s latest minimalist bowls. I started doing more events, and collaborating with more brands and exploring exciting destinations, especially with Italy and the Italian Chamber of Commerce, and also re-connecting with my first home, Taiwan.
Along the way, I also began bringing food to paintbrush and paper, and started making illustrated cards for my close friends and coworkers during the holiday season (and because I never seemed to be able to find the perfect cards in conventional stores). Over time, at the encouragement of my friends and followers, I took another leap and launched an adjacent creative venture in the form of Chu on This Studio.
Today, Chu on This has really ceased to be a blog in the conventional sense of the word, and is now a personal brand and consulting business focused on the exploration and appreciation of well-crafted culinary culture and a guide for more fulfilling culinary experiences.
I hope to continue to learn and grow as I explore more of the world and its culinary culture, and share all of the wonderful authentic food and travel experiences I find with you.
Thanks for stopping by.
Chu on This was honoured to be shortlisted for the Taste Canada Awards 2017, the highest award for food writing in Canada.
