Erika (aka Eri to close friends and family) is a chef and urban gardener based in Brooklyn, New York. 

She draws inspiration from the Asian flavors of her upbringing in Japan and Singapore, and from her favorite markets — Sahadi’s and the Union Square Farmers’ Market.

Erika spends her free time tending to her tiny plot in the Poplar Street Community Garden, and enjoys learning about the use of native plants in our landscapes. Sometimes she grows Asian veggies that remind her of home (see picture!).

She has worked at Lalito, Colonie and Diner in NYC and Onogi and Simplicite in Tokyo. She was most recently at Marlow and Sons in Brooklyn until she welcomed her baby Harper into the world. She is currently expanding her lunch delivery business.

Erika has lived in New York since 2013, and is a graduate of the International of Culinary Center and Middlebury College.