of rice & yams, a new newsletter!
of rice & yams, a new newsletter!
from the creator behind 'my best-friend is gluten-free'
Welcome to ‘Of Rice & Yams,’ a newsletter filled with joy, gluten-free recipes, and the musings that inspire them! I'm Jannell, a food creator and writer who’s constantly in search of the next delicious bite or adventure.
For me, food has always been a guiding light, a thread that weaves through every aspect of my life. It’s the common denominator that unites us, intertwining our stories in an increasingly disconnected world. I love bringing people together through food, exploring the unique perspectives it shapes, and celebrating the communities that form around it.
I’ve dedicated much of my time building a food community through 'My BF is GF: My Best-Friend is Gluten-Free'. Inspired by my Chinese-Canadian upbringing and my gluten-free husband, Reid, this project has served as a platform to share my culinary creations. Through ‘My BF is GF,’ I’ve created novel gluten-free dishes, hosted pop-up dinners, taught cooking classes, and will be publishing a cookbook with Appetite (an imprint of Penguin Random House) in Fall 2025!
‘Of Rice & Yams’ is a place where I can be my unfiltered self, free from the constraints of social media’s algorithms and the pressure to maintain a ‘perfect’ grid. After all, it’s not just the ingredients of a dish that matter, but also the personal experiences that inspire them. This newsletter is my way of telling the hidden stories that live within the final products you may see.
I’ll feature recipes I've cooked from beloved chefs, dishes I've savoured at restaurants that later spur my own creations, and anything else that ignites a spark! A full circle back to the OG long-form blogging days. It’s all about focusing on the journey over the destination, and emphasizing progress over perfection. Consider this an invitation to join me behind the scenes, in my kitchen, and at my dining table.
And finally, why the name “Of Rice and Yams”? Well, it’s because both these things are gluten-free, Asian staples that power our lives. Rice and yams are inclusive in many diets, including those that avoid the eight main allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish). On their own, they provide nourishment and vitality, and when you dress them up, they can transform into extraordinary dishes. A practice in highlighting the simple things for what they are.
I'm very excited to see where this journey takes me, as I aim for this newsletter to brighten your inbox with the small glimmers and inspirations that light up my daily existence.
Thanks for being here 🥰
Jannell