Although born to a traditional Shanghainese family in Hong Kong, she moved when still small to Los Angeles where she was raised, developed a passion for cooking and graduated from The University of California with a degree in contemporary arts. After college Esther dedicated herself to fulfilling her dreams of becoming a model, and in order to re-connect to her roots moved to Hong Kong. Despite her growing success as a model, Esther continued to cook. Her modeling career allowed her many opportunities to travel and eat in some of the world’s best restaurants. Eventually her passion for food and cooking eclipsed her passion for modeling, but having no experience in the restaurant business she took a job at two Michelin starred restaurant L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in order to gain experience. Before long she left to open her own small private kitchen, Ta Pantry. At the moment aside from running her kitchen she is also apprenticing at the two Michelin star restaurant Amber at the Landmark Mandarin. At Ta Pantry she exclusively serves her own creations. She imbues her dishes with great sentiment as all are, in some way, related to her childhood or personal life experiences.