photo by Iaritza Menjivar
Founders
Judy Yao
Judy is a whole animal butcher, dog mom, terrible baker, and a lover of dino chicken nuggets. She's also a consultant on food business planning and team management. After moving to the US from Taiwan at 14, food has always been a source of community, comfort, and a way of connecting with people from all backgrounds and experiences. She looks forward to sharing stories, work, and smoky clothes with Open Hearth guests.
photo by Amanda Macchia
Collaborators
Iaritza Menjivar
Iaritza Menjivar is a photographer based in Boston, Mass. She is the Event and Public Art Coordinator for the Somerville Arts Council and past Associate Director at the Griffin Museum of Photography. Additionally, she is co-instructor to Stella Johnson for the, Seeing Oaxaca Photography Workshop, taught through Maine Media Workshops. Most importantly, she’s a dear Open Hearth Gatherings friend and collaborator from the very beginning. Iaritza has captured Open Hearth’s journey from our first events, traveled to Arizona with us for our collaboration with From the Roots Project, and back.
photo by Elias Williams
Aly Lopez
Aly has over 15 years of experience in the food industry; cooking, management, and land stewardship. She was born in Mexico, raised in Somerville, MA with a big appreciation for New England seasonality, fires, and tacos. She loves meaningful connections and her cat, Cilantro. Aly is aways looking for an excuse to throw a party and meet new people.
photo by Amanda Macchia