Elaine Sher was born and raised in Hong Kong, and grew up with authentic Cantonese dishes, local street foods, and Hong Kong-Style cafes before moving to North America. She’s lived in Canada and the US for the last 30 years, 20 of which were spent in the corporate world — but in 2017 she left her job in technology marketing to travel the world on her own, and eventually returned to Seattle to pursue her passion for a simpler lifestyle.

In 2019, Elaine founded Dash of Soy, a local culinary school specializing in bringing Asian flavors into everyday cooking. Thanks to her upbringing and her travels, she brings a deep appreciation for food cultures all over the world, and her classes are enriched by stories about her family and her adventures, as well as elements of the Chinese culture and language. She’s also an artist who creates beautifully hand-drawn illustrations to accompany her recipes.