Born and raised in Chicago, growing up in a big Filipino Community, taught Orchid to love the kitchen and the importance of family and food. After graduating from University of Illinois 1994, she moved to Hilton Head Island, ready to pursue her dream of owning her own restaurant and starting to raise her own family in the South. Over time she watched and learned some of the secrets of Southern BBQ, and along with her own Filipino twist, she finally opened One Hot Mama's. Eventually also partnering w/ The Lodge and recently w/Marley's Island Grille of the SERG Restaurant Group. Since the success of the restaurants, she has also served as a South Carolina Chef Ambassador 2016 and was a Finalist on Season 7- Next Food Network Star.