Universal Moms

Happy New Year! Xīnnián Kuàilè! Gelukkig nieuwjaar! Gott Nytt År! Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! Feliz Ano Novo! ¡Feliz Año Nuevo! Felice Anno Nuovo! Bonne Année!

This may seem cliché, but these languages represent the nations we are a blend of. We became friends over 30 years ago while growing up in Hong Kong.

Caroline, a Chilean/Dutch mix, grew up in Hong Kong, moved to the Netherlands to study at the hotel management school in The Hague, and after a few more years abroad in Chile and Hong Kong she moved back to marry long-time boyfriend, and hotel school sweetheart, Jip (who is also a foodie). They now have three sons and live happily in Leiden.

Helena, who is Swedish, grew up in Hong Kong, later studied in France, Sweden, Spain and Mexico. After business school she worked in São Paulo, Brazil and New York City until she returned home to Hong Kong where she met and fell in love with a handsome Portuguese bullfighter (for real) Bernardo and ended up moving to Portugal with him. They are now married and are raising two mischievous boys in Lisbon.

Pia, of Swiss-German and Japanese descent, also grew up in Hong Kong, studied in Nice and Beijing, and attended hotel management school in Lyon, France. While working in Shanghai, she met and married the love of her life, Chef Salvatore who is himself of Italian and Japanese descent, and is a blessed mother of three children. Favourite things in life: family, food, animals, classical and electronic music, exploring different cultures, nature, learning languages and the festive holidays!  Currently living in Fukuoka, Japan.

In this strange year, people have overcome so many challenges. However, Covid-19, despite all the hurdles we encountered, has brought us closer together. Thanks to technology our kids started playing Minecraft together during lock-downs that kicked off a glorious reunification of our friendship which has lasted for over 30 years! 💝

The common denominator in this friendship is FOOD and CULTURE, the two of course being interrelated. There is nothing we would rather talk about at any time of the day. We have shared so many recipes in the last year that a blog seemed the only logical next step. A place where we can keep all our recipes (like a giant cookbook), share our different cultural backgrounds and experiences, as well as memories and laughter, and hopefully inspire our friends and family.

Love,

Caroline, Helena and Pia

Universal Moms