Leslie Damaso

“In my travels, I tend to seek out Filipino restaurants. I get so excited about the variations I might experience. And just like the Philippines with its 7,000 islands, there is not one description of a dish. There are shared dishes but depending on the region, the flavors change in ways such as saltiness, sourness (either from vinegars or sour fruits), creaminess (usually from coconut milk) or spiciness. In the United States, I have experienced exciting dishes from coast-to-coast.

Beyond the states, I’ve even had Finnish-Filipino food and Japanese-Filipino food. What makes Filipino cuisine special is that it is in conversation with the place. What better way to meet and get to know each other than through merienda or time!”

For almost two decades, Leslie has celebrated the Driftless Region through her writing and photography.