Who We Are
Fork and Spoon is a Filipino-American food blog founded in 2020 by Noelle and Elijah — two down-to-earth creators who believe that everyday cooking can be an act of joy, identity, and connection.
What started as a personal food diary on Instagram has grown into a welcoming space for home cooks of all backgrounds. Here, you’ll find easy, approachable recipes rooted in Filipino and Asian flavors, alongside local food gems and cozy vlogs that feel less like content and more like an invitation to the table.
At the heart of everything is a simple mission: to celebrate Filipino heritage, honor the Asian American journey, and remind you that the most meaningful meals are the ones made with love — and maybe a little adventure.
Pull up a chair. There’s always room for one more.
Meet the Team
Noelle Noriesta
Hi, I’m Noelle — the home cook, recipe developer, and principal creator behind Fork and Spoon.
I grew up in the Bay Area navigating the in-between of being Filipino and American, never quite feeling like I fully belonged to either world. But food? Food was always home. From helping my mom in the kitchen and learning Filipino dishes at my Lola’s (Grandma’s) house, to boba runs and cooking shows after school — it was always where I felt most like myself.
At 12, I spent time as an exchange student in Japan and discovered something that’s stayed with me ever since: food has a way of crossing language and cultural barriers like nothing else can. It was the first place I truly felt like I belonged.
In my 20s, I was on the path to becoming a dentist — I wanted to work with my hands and help people. But my creative side kept pulling me in a different direction. I transitioned into restaurant food photography, and when COVID brought that chapter to a close, food blogging became my new medium. Turns out, it was the one I was always meant for.
Today, Fork and Spoon is my way of reconnecting with my Filipino heritage and celebrating my identity as a Filipino American. I’m guided by the concept of kapwa — a Filipino value rooted in shared humanity — and deeply inspired by the Asian American communities I’m lucky to be a part of.
I believe food is a creative form of self-expression, an act of love, and one of the most powerful ways we can learn and connect with one another. My hope is that something you find here makes your day a little more delicious — and maybe even a little more you.
When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll find me tending to my rare houseplant collection, browsing my Etsy Shop, or out camping and exploring somewhere new.
Welcome — I’m so glad you’re here.
Elijah Ada
I’m Elijah — and if Noelle is the heart of Fork and Spoon, I’m the backbone keeping everything running.
I grew up on the East Coast, but “grew up” is relative — my Filipino immigrant parents moved our family frequently across the country in pursuit of new opportunities, so home was always wherever we landed next. That constant motion gave me something unexpected: a deep appreciation for community, adaptability, and the food that made every new place feel a little more familiar.
After graduating from UCLA with a degree in Biochemistry, I found myself at a crossroads between medicine and something that felt more naturally me — business. I leaned into it, and I haven’t looked back.
At Fork and Spoon, I handle the operations, strategy, and behind-the-scenes work that keeps things moving — from pre- to post-production, and everything in between. But honestly, my favorite title is still Chief Taste-Tester. I’m Noelle’s number one hype-man, her sounding board, and — as she’d put it — the “fork” to her “spoon.”
Beyond Fork and Spoon, I’m also stepping into a new chapter: becoming a licensed realtor with a mission close to my heart — helping people of color find and own their first homes. I know what it means to search for a place to belong, and I want to help others build something lasting in a place they can truly call their own.
Like Noelle, I’m passionate about what Fork and Spoon represents beyond the recipes. Asian American voices in the food industry matter, and I believe food is one of the most powerful tools we have to build bridges and foster genuine connection.
When I’m not in work mode, you’ll find me deep in an anime series, working through my reading list, or out exploring a national park somewhere.
Pics from our first post as Fork & Spoon on Instagram – Chubby Noodle in SF, 2017. It was such a fun day eating our way through the city!