Some moments don’t feel new, they feel remembered. This week, I stepped onto a set that felt like walking into a memory. Surrounded by souls I’ve only just met, but somehow already knew. A project that feels aligned in every way. Created by one of the most intuitive and intentional creatives I’ve ever had the honor to align with, @anthonypietromonaco … and brought to life alongside my @arccltv family thank you Hermana @shabsmeltzer . Shooting with Anthony felt like being witnessed by someone who’s seen me before… in another time, another place. And then there’s @meshinto (Alex) whose camera doesn’t just take photos, it channels energy. Shooting with him was a moment of deep recognition, like our paths had crossed long before this one. This project is still unfolding, still sacred. But I already know: it’s something special. Something that found me. #Alignment #ManifestedAbundance #ARCCollective #meshinto #SoulWork #OnSetMagic
Some moments don’t feel new, they feel remembered. This week, I stepped onto a set that felt like walking into a memory. Surrounded by souls I’ve only just met, but somehow already knew. A project that feels aligned in every way. Created by one of the most intuitive and intentional creatives I’ve ever had the honor to align with, @anthonypietromonaco … and brought to life alongside my @arccltv family thank you Hermana @shabsmeltzer . Shooting with Anthony felt like being witnessed by someone who’s seen me before… in another time, another place. And then there’s @meshinto (Alex) whose camera doesn’t just take photos, it channels energy. Shooting with him was a moment of deep recognition, like our paths had crossed long before this one. This project is still unfolding, still sacred. But I already know: it’s something special. Something that found me. #Alignment #ManifestedAbundance #ARCCollective #meshinto #SoulWork #OnSetMagic
Some moments don’t feel new, they feel remembered. This week, I stepped onto a set that felt like walking into a memory. Surrounded by souls I’ve only just met, but somehow already knew. A project that feels aligned in every way. Created by one of the most intuitive and intentional creatives I’ve ever had the honor to align with, @anthonypietromonaco … and brought to life alongside my @arccltv family thank you Hermana @shabsmeltzer . Shooting with Anthony felt like being witnessed by someone who’s seen me before… in another time, another place. And then there’s @meshinto (Alex) whose camera doesn’t just take photos, it channels energy. Shooting with him was a moment of deep recognition, like our paths had crossed long before this one. This project is still unfolding, still sacred. But I already know: it’s something special. Something that found me. #Alignment #ManifestedAbundance #ARCCollective #meshinto #SoulWork #OnSetMagic
Some moments don’t feel new, they feel remembered. This week, I stepped onto a set that felt like walking into a memory. Surrounded by souls I’ve only just met, but somehow already knew. A project that feels aligned in every way. Created by one of the most intuitive and intentional creatives I’ve ever had the honor to align with, @anthonypietromonaco … and brought to life alongside my @arccltv family thank you Hermana @shabsmeltzer . Shooting with Anthony felt like being witnessed by someone who’s seen me before… in another time, another place. And then there’s @meshinto (Alex) whose camera doesn’t just take photos, it channels energy. Shooting with him was a moment of deep recognition, like our paths had crossed long before this one. This project is still unfolding, still sacred. But I already know: it’s something special. Something that found me. #Alignment #ManifestedAbundance #ARCCollective #meshinto #SoulWork #OnSetMagic
Some moments don’t feel new, they feel remembered. This week, I stepped onto a set that felt like walking into a memory. Surrounded by souls I’ve only just met, but somehow already knew. A project that feels aligned in every way. Created by one of the most intuitive and intentional creatives I’ve ever had the honor to align with, @anthonypietromonaco … and brought to life alongside my @arccltv family thank you Hermana @shabsmeltzer . Shooting with Anthony felt like being witnessed by someone who’s seen me before… in another time, another place. And then there’s @meshinto (Alex) whose camera doesn’t just take photos, it channels energy. Shooting with him was a moment of deep recognition, like our paths had crossed long before this one. This project is still unfolding, still sacred. But I already know: it’s something special. Something that found me. #Alignment #ManifestedAbundance #ARCCollective #meshinto #SoulWork #OnSetMagic
Some moments don’t feel new, they feel remembered. This week, I stepped onto a set that felt like walking into a memory. Surrounded by souls I’ve only just met, but somehow already knew. A project that feels aligned in every way. Created by one of the most intuitive and intentional creatives I’ve ever had the honor to align with, @anthonypietromonaco … and brought to life alongside my @arccltv family thank you Hermana @shabsmeltzer . Shooting with Anthony felt like being witnessed by someone who’s seen me before… in another time, another place. And then there’s @meshinto (Alex) whose camera doesn’t just take photos, it channels energy. Shooting with him was a moment of deep recognition, like our paths had crossed long before this one. This project is still unfolding, still sacred. But I already know: it’s something special. Something that found me. #Alignment #ManifestedAbundance #ARCCollective #meshinto #SoulWork #OnSetMagic
Some moments don’t feel new, they feel remembered. This week, I stepped onto a set that felt like walking into a memory. Surrounded by souls I’ve only just met, but somehow already knew. A project that feels aligned in every way. Created by one of the most intuitive and intentional creatives I’ve ever had the honor to align with, @anthonypietromonaco … and brought to life alongside my @arccltv family thank you Hermana @shabsmeltzer . Shooting with Anthony felt like being witnessed by someone who’s seen me before… in another time, another place. And then there’s @meshinto (Alex) whose camera doesn’t just take photos, it channels energy. Shooting with him was a moment of deep recognition, like our paths had crossed long before this one. This project is still unfolding, still sacred. But I already know: it’s something special. Something that found me. #Alignment #ManifestedAbundance #ARCCollective #meshinto #SoulWork #OnSetMagic
Some moments don’t feel new, they feel remembered. This week, I stepped onto a set that felt like walking into a memory. Surrounded by souls I’ve only just met, but somehow already knew. A project that feels aligned in every way. Created by one of the most intuitive and intentional creatives I’ve ever had the honor to align with, @anthonypietromonaco … and brought to life alongside my @arccltv family thank you Hermana @shabsmeltzer . Shooting with Anthony felt like being witnessed by someone who’s seen me before… in another time, another place. And then there’s @meshinto (Alex) whose camera doesn’t just take photos, it channels energy. Shooting with him was a moment of deep recognition, like our paths had crossed long before this one. This project is still unfolding, still sacred. But I already know: it’s something special. Something that found me. #Alignment #ManifestedAbundance #ARCCollective #meshinto #SoulWork #OnSetMagic
My first Celebrate the Craft @lodgetorreypines and @chrisrovcosta just captures my essence. 🥰 thank you friend you are so talented! Thanks for the gorgeous pics and making me feel beautiful! 🥲🥹😍 Thanks to my @chef_works fam especially @marceekatz @wifeagirlthatcooks for this gorga chef coat! 😍😍😍
What joy it is to be fed, nurtured and supported by the most amazing @chefclaudiasandoval at our retreat! Also, how cute is she!♥️ Can’t wait for much such connections, more intentional conversations and building community like this. #khabaarco #joshuatree #claudiasandoval #community #changemakers #madhushreeghosh #sandiego #buildingcommunity
Another incredible time at Celebrate the craft @lodgetorreypines. Gourmets converge each year in beautiful La Jolla for a unique celebration of the region’s bounty and craftsmanship. Celebrate the Craft has been one of Southern California’s premier showcases for locally grown ingredients, innovative cooking and winemaking. artisans come together for an annual celebration of the very best of California’s culinary offerings. Cheers to all participants and guests. 📸: @temeculalife
Take me back to a day where everything fell perfectly into place — 24 spectacular chefs, 24 incredible wineries, and a stage filled with musical legends like Martin Chalifour of the LA Phil, joined by the talented Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra. All of it in support of Mainly Mozart, an organization enriching lives through music for over 30 years. A huge thank you to our presenting sponsor, Läderach Chocolate, for helping make this unforgettable day possible. And a big shoutout to Snake Oil Cocktail Company for keeping the drinks flowing and helping us take such great care of our chefs, wineries, and tables throughout the day. What a magical day it was. #CulinaryConcerto #MainlyMozart @petcoparkevents @snakeoilcocktail
Some gifts are too extraordinary for words — but this is my attempt… There are days you never forget — and this was one of them. As a birthday gift, my incredible friend Marino Monferrato and the amazing team at DAOU Vineyards created an experience so special, I’m still trying to believe it was real. 🥺 We rode through the sun-soaked vineyards in the Patrimony Grand Wagoneer, with every turn revealing more of DAOU Mountain’s breathtaking beauty. We toured the private barrel room, tasting wines straight from the barrel — wines few will ever have the chance to experience. We shared caviar, sipped truly extraordinary vintages, and felt like the only people in the world for a day. To share this once-in-a-lifetime moment with some of the most important people in my life was a privilege beyond words. Social media might prefer a 15-second video… but this day deserves its own series. Marino, you didn’t just win — you gave me a memory I will treasure forever. I love you so much and feel beyond honored to call you my friend.
A full circle kind of moment. At 19 years old, I worked in the reservations department at The Lodge at Torrey Pines, just as the property was opening. I didn’t know exactly where life would take me—I just knew I loved hospitality, food, and making people feel welcome. This weekend, I walked back through those same doors, not as an employee behind the scenes—but as a featured chef for Celebrate the Craft. To return to this iconic place in a new role, sharing my food and my voice, was deeply personal and incredibly meaningful. Grateful for every step that led me back to where it all started. Huge thanks to my incredible partners—El Faro Seafood for their pristine product and Jack Ford of Taj Farms for always supporting local chefs with heart and generosity. Couldn’t have done this without you. @lodgetorreypines #celebratethecraft @elfaroseafood @taj_goat_farm @whatsupwithjack
Joshua Tree Retreat Thoughts There’s something magical that’s created when you show up curious, respectful, and intentional in understanding the journey to building the community you want to be part of. And what better way to do this than learning how to make tetelas and tlacoyos under the expert guidance of superstar @chefclaudiasandoval — the most amazing teacher of Mexican cuisine, culinary conversations and community builder & changemaker. We at @khabaarco are so fortunate to learn about borders, cuisines, history and leadership with her at this amazing Joshua Tree retreat this week! More to follow, but till then, here’s a glimpse. #joshuatree #community #communitybuilding #culinarywriting #borders #sandiego #sandiegofood #khabaar #khabaarco #claudiasandoval #changemakers
Joshua Tree Retreat Thoughts There’s something magical that’s created when you show up curious, respectful, and intentional in understanding the journey to building the community you want to be part of. And what better way to do this than learning how to make tetelas and tlacoyos under the expert guidance of superstar @chefclaudiasandoval — the most amazing teacher of Mexican cuisine, culinary conversations and community builder & changemaker. We at @khabaarco are so fortunate to learn about borders, cuisines, history and leadership with her at this amazing Joshua Tree retreat this week! More to follow, but till then, here’s a glimpse. #joshuatree #community #communitybuilding #culinarywriting #borders #sandiego #sandiegofood #khabaar #khabaarco #claudiasandoval #changemakers
Joshua Tree Retreat Thoughts There’s something magical that’s created when you show up curious, respectful, and intentional in understanding the journey to building the community you want to be part of. And what better way to do this than learning how to make tetelas and tlacoyos under the expert guidance of superstar @chefclaudiasandoval — the most amazing teacher of Mexican cuisine, culinary conversations and community builder & changemaker. We at @khabaarco are so fortunate to learn about borders, cuisines, history and leadership with her at this amazing Joshua Tree retreat this week! More to follow, but till then, here’s a glimpse. #joshuatree #community #communitybuilding #culinarywriting #borders #sandiego #sandiegofood #khabaar #khabaarco #claudiasandoval #changemakers
Joshua Tree Retreat Thoughts There’s something magical that’s created when you show up curious, respectful, and intentional in understanding the journey to building the community you want to be part of. And what better way to do this than learning how to make tetelas and tlacoyos under the expert guidance of superstar @chefclaudiasandoval — the most amazing teacher of Mexican cuisine, culinary conversations and community builder & changemaker. We at @khabaarco are so fortunate to learn about borders, cuisines, history and leadership with her at this amazing Joshua Tree retreat this week! More to follow, but till then, here’s a glimpse. #joshuatree #community #communitybuilding #culinarywriting #borders #sandiego #sandiegofood #khabaar #khabaarco #claudiasandoval #changemakers
Joshua Tree Retreat Thoughts There’s something magical that’s created when you show up curious, respectful, and intentional in understanding the journey to building the community you want to be part of. And what better way to do this than learning how to make tetelas and tlacoyos under the expert guidance of superstar @chefclaudiasandoval — the most amazing teacher of Mexican cuisine, culinary conversations and community builder & changemaker. We at @khabaarco are so fortunate to learn about borders, cuisines, history and leadership with her at this amazing Joshua Tree retreat this week! More to follow, but till then, here’s a glimpse. #joshuatree #community #communitybuilding #culinarywriting #borders #sandiego #sandiegofood #khabaar #khabaarco #claudiasandoval #changemakers
Joshua Tree Retreat Thoughts There’s something magical that’s created when you show up curious, respectful, and intentional in understanding the journey to building the community you want to be part of. And what better way to do this than learning how to make tetelas and tlacoyos under the expert guidance of superstar @chefclaudiasandoval — the most amazing teacher of Mexican cuisine, culinary conversations and community builder & changemaker. We at @khabaarco are so fortunate to learn about borders, cuisines, history and leadership with her at this amazing Joshua Tree retreat this week! More to follow, but till then, here’s a glimpse. #joshuatree #community #communitybuilding #culinarywriting #borders #sandiego #sandiegofood #khabaar #khabaarco #claudiasandoval #changemakers
Joshua Tree Retreat Thoughts There’s something magical that’s created when you show up curious, respectful, and intentional in understanding the journey to building the community you want to be part of. And what better way to do this than learning how to make tetelas and tlacoyos under the expert guidance of superstar @chefclaudiasandoval — the most amazing teacher of Mexican cuisine, culinary conversations and community builder & changemaker. We at @khabaarco are so fortunate to learn about borders, cuisines, history and leadership with her at this amazing Joshua Tree retreat this week! More to follow, but till then, here’s a glimpse. #joshuatree #community #communitybuilding #culinarywriting #borders #sandiego #sandiegofood #khabaar #khabaarco #claudiasandoval #changemakers
Joshua Tree Retreat Thoughts There’s something magical that’s created when you show up curious, respectful, and intentional in understanding the journey to building the community you want to be part of. And what better way to do this than learning how to make tetelas and tlacoyos under the expert guidance of superstar @chefclaudiasandoval — the most amazing teacher of Mexican cuisine, culinary conversations and community builder & changemaker. We at @khabaarco are so fortunate to learn about borders, cuisines, history and leadership with her at this amazing Joshua Tree retreat this week! More to follow, but till then, here’s a glimpse. #joshuatree #community #communitybuilding #culinarywriting #borders #sandiego #sandiegofood #khabaar #khabaarco #claudiasandoval #changemakers
Joshua Tree Retreat Thoughts There’s something magical that’s created when you show up curious, respectful, and intentional in understanding the journey to building the community you want to be part of. And what better way to do this than learning how to make tetelas and tlacoyos under the expert guidance of superstar @chefclaudiasandoval — the most amazing teacher of Mexican cuisine, culinary conversations and community builder & changemaker. We at @khabaarco are so fortunate to learn about borders, cuisines, history and leadership with her at this amazing Joshua Tree retreat this week! More to follow, but till then, here’s a glimpse. #joshuatree #community #communitybuilding #culinarywriting #borders #sandiego #sandiegofood #khabaar #khabaarco #claudiasandoval #changemakers
Being here at a retreat in Joshua Tree with @khabaarco and @writemadhushree has brought back so many memories of filming Taste of the Border for Discovery . Exploring the Sonoran Desert — from California through Arizona and New Mexico — showed me just how rich, diverse, and interconnected this border region truly is. The land, the agriculture, the ranching traditions, and of course, the incredible foods and cultures that thrive here are a testament to how borders may divide on a map, but on the ground, they create something beautifully unified. This week, as we dive deep into conversations about migration, identity, and the complexities of the border, I’m reminded once again that this region is not just a line—it’s a living, breathing blend of history, people, and flavor. Taste of the Border was just the beginning of telling that story.
