John Ota has been involved with architecture and design since 1978, with degrees from Columbia University, the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia. His bestselling book The Kitchen was a 2021 Taste Canada Awards finalist and a 2021 Paris Gourmand Cookbook finalist in the book design category. After working in architecture in Toronto, New York, and Vancouver, and as lead on multiple Ontario Ministry of Culture projects, John now loves to travel the world visiting historic houses, cooking regional food, and meeting people of all backgrounds.