Joie Alvaro Kent

November's speaker will be Joie Alvaro Kent, an award-winning cookbook author, marketing + branding strategist, culinary championship judge, and
co-founder of NOMAD Micro Homes. Joie will share her compelling insights and perspectives around creativity through the lens of the global CM theme 'thread'.

Joie Alvaro Kent is honoured to amplify the experiences of British Columbia's vibrant culinary community for nearly two decades. Storyteller and promoter, consultant and judge, advocate and mentor—her path has taken many turns, all of them leading her to deep friendships, deeper understandings, and an enduring respect and awe for those who choose to make this industry their life with passion and pride. In November 2023, Joie and chef/restaurateur J-C Poirier of one MICHELIN-starred St. Lawrence Restaurant won Gold at the Taste Canada Awards for their highly acclaimed cookbook, Where the River Narrows. She also co-authored best-selling Maenam: A Fresh Approach to Thai Cooking with chef/owner Angus An. Joie is Head BC Judge for the Canadian Culinary Championship, and panellist for Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants. Her writing has been featured in Canadian and international publications including NUVO, The Globe and Mail, The Georgia Straight, Eater, Vancouver magazine, and MONTECRISTO. Joie is the proud co-founder of Indáy | Filipino Chef Exchange, spotlighting modern Philippine cuisine through soulful culinary collaborations across the country. Her award-winning background in real-estate marketing led to co-founding NOMAD Micro Homes with her husband. Joie is a sipper of Boulevardiers, habitual daydreamer, and full-contact eater.

As usual, we asked Joie some probing questions to give us a deeper glimpse into her life and relationship with creativity:

How do you define and apply creativity in your life and career?

Whew, what a question. Creativity can be explored and expressed in myriad ways, depending on a person’s field of practice. For me, however, creativity is giving my brain the absolute freedom to play, untethered from convention or expectation. Whether I’m conceptualizing a logo design or seeking the hook that knits a story arc together, it’s letting my mind meander from thought to thought, shelving the ones that don’t take me where I need to go and exploring the ones that spark interest. I sketch and scribble notes in my journal; the act of putting pen to paper is the epitome of kinesthetic learning. It’s this exploration that leads to lightbulb moments, when unfettered musings take me to the most surprising intuitive connections. This boundless blue-sky space is one of my favourite places to inhabit. But creativity also means courage and trust — courage to cast aside uncertainty or nagging impostor-syndrome doubts, trust in my decision to commit to a narrative direction or a graphic-design angle and dive in.

Where do you find your best creative inspiration or energy?

Hmm. It depends on where I am in my creative continuum. Oftentimes when ideating, especially during the process of an interview or establishing a new business direction, I love to think aloud. Feeding off the energy of a colleague or interviewee and sparking from one idea to the next in dialogue can be so dynamic, almost like the electricity of jazz musicians riffing off of one another as they improvise. When I’m solidifying ideas in the thick of the writing or design process, I need solitude. I set my phone to Do Not Disturb and eliminate interruptions — definitely not a person who can write in the middle of a busy coffee shop. I can’t even listen to music with lyrics while I’m writing; other people’s words are a distraction. Stillness is key to give my mind clarity during the distillation process. But when I’m stuck and feel like I’m beating my head against the brick wall of writer’s block, I have to step away from my laptop, be gracious with myself, and consume beauty. It could mean listening to a favourite album while eating an impeccably baked sweet treat, taking a long walk in the sunshine, cracking open a book and reading a fellow writer’s words, or wandering through an art gallery. The other day, I watched the Evan Funke episode of Chef’s Table: Noodles, and it brought me to tears. I’m deeply moved and inspired by people who pursue their passions with heart and soul. Their energy and thirst for discovery nourishes my creative soul.

What’s one piece of advice you’d wish you’d known as a young person?

That it’s okay not to push so hard all the time. That it’s okay to step away from the grind for a while. That it’s okay to be still. And that the end product isn’t the most important part, but that the learning and growth which happen on the journey are the true secret sauce. As an only child, I’ve always been end-product driven and far far too competitive. Always needed to be the best in the room at something. Yesterday. But both motherhood and the pursuit of writing have taught me to breathe into the slow, deliberate beauty of the process. To allow myself permission to take pause and be present.

Who (living or dead) would you most enjoy hearing speak at Creative Mornings?

Robin Williams. I have always been awed not just by the profound speed and seemingly effortless facility with which his mind worked, but also by his remarkable kindness. The world’s collective light glowed a little less brightly after his untimely passing.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

Turned my back on a lucrative award-winning career as a real-estate marketing executive and consultant to have a child and stay home to raise him. And then turned down two vice-presidency offers over the next four years, sticking steadfastly to being a stay-at-home Mom. Unquestionably the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.

What fact about you would surprise people?

That I’m an introvert. As curious as I am about people, and as ebullient as I am in the vibrant energy of a group, I need to retreat into solitude to recharge and re-energize. I’m generous with my personal energy, and I need a healthy dose of quiet time to replenish my emotional storehouse.

What’s the most recent thing you learned (big or small)?

The Japanese word “omoiyari.” Literally translated as giving your thoughts to others, it means showing compassion, empathy, and consideration for other people’s feelings and circumstances. It encompasses understanding and anticipating people’s needs without them needing to be expressed, and acting with kindness to make their situation better.

What are you proudest of in your life?

My choice to prioritize motherhood wholeheartedly and above all else, without reservation or regret. There was never a doubt in my mind. Raising a dynamic, sensitive, kind, and fearlessly creative son is unquestionably my life’s greatest accomplishment. Noah and I still share an incomparably close relationship even now that he’s grown and flown — this immeasurable love and respect are gifts beyond any other. He’ll never be too old to hold my hand as we walk through life together, and he’s my life’s greatest joy.