Josie is the owner of Pinoy Asian Foods CHIBUGAN, a simple Asian and Filipino-inspired market in Poughkeepsie. Her space is packed with various sized tables and chairs to host guests for events, walls lined with specialty food items and dozens of photos that feel like she has let you into part of her home.

After uprooting her life in the Philippines, she chased her dream to America. Josie pursued her degree at FIT and became a jewelry designer. And as many do over their career span, she shifted gears and fell in love with food. One thing led to the next, and she loves every minute of her entrepreneurial life! Josie sells wholesale food products, but she also prepares an array of Filipino foods for customers to devour.

Our conversation was simple, her spirit so lovely, and I felt as though I made a new connection! I promised Josie I would come back to have lunch someday, but that day I was on a mission to cook lunch for someone special! And with her guidance, she suggested I stir fry my choice of wide glass noodles with Thai eggplant, lots of garlic, and the infamous chili oil (Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp).

As I sit here at midnight slurping leftover speckled chili noodles, feeling that numbing twang of the unfavorable Sichuan peppercorn, I reflect on the day. I reminded myself that experiences such as my small conversation with Josie are essential. Building your community is a beautiful thing. Taking the time to connect with people who live and work within a small radius of your home could give way to incredible knowledge and experiences. And without her advice, who knows how lunch could have turned out??? I will surely return to visit!