

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Alexandria.
Hi Tiffany, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Taiwan, where food is a huge part of life. After studying fashion design and working in visual merchandising for brands like Nike and Quiksilver, I realized I was craving something more grounded and meaningful. When I moved to Rochester, Minnesota, I found space to slow down, explore what it means to be Taiwanese, and enjoy the art of cooking.
That’s how CHOOCHOO-ca-CHEW started—a way to share Taiwanese food, culture, and everyday life through my lens. I grew up with homemade meals, seasonal produce, and night market snacks, and I wanted to share that same energy with more people. I spend a lot of time at the farmers markets, letting the ingredients guide what I cook and photograph.
My YouTube channel and Instagram are where I share nostalgic recipes from my mom’s kitchen, Taiwanese food adventures, and stories that highlight the traditions of Taiwanese culture. Food photography has become one of my favorite ways to capture memories, whether it’s a juicy ShengJianBao (生煎包, pan-fried dumplings) or a perfectly crisp scallion pancake.
CHOOCHOO-ca-CHEW is all about food that feels like home—nourishing, colorful, and full of stories worth sharing.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been full of growth. One of the early challenges was that a lot of people didn’t know what Taiwan was, let alone what Taiwanese food was all about. So I found myself not just cooking, but constantly explaining, educating, and sharing the culture behind the dishes.
I’ve had to pivot quite a bit along the way. Food photography is something I love, but in a smaller town like Rochester, the market for it is limited.
For pop-up dinners, the complex food regulations and the effort it takes to do things the right way—it can be a lot. Ingredient sourcing is another ongoing challenge. Some staples for Taiwanese recipes just aren’t easy to find here, and that can really slow things down.
Taiwanese food is also incredibly labor-intensive, and while I love that about it, there’s often a misconception that Asian food should be cheap. That’s been tough to navigate.
And since I moved here without any friends, there wasn’t much of a word-of-mouth boost. I had to build everything from scratch(and met so many wonderful human beings along the way). But in the end, all of it pushed me to be more creative and intentional with what I do.
As you know, we’re big fans of CHOOCHOO-ca-CHEW. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
CHOOCHOO-ca-CHEW is a Youtube Channel and resource that celebrates Taiwanese food and culture through storytelling, photography, and video. At the heart of it all is food—simple, seasonal, handmade meals that carry memories and culture in every bite. I specialize in Taiwanese recipes, food photography, and content creation that feels personal, honest, and visually rich.
What sets CHOOCHOO-ca-CHEW apart is the way I blend culture, creativity, and food. This isn’t just about recipes—it’s about showing people where the food comes from, why it matters, and how it connects us. Whether it’s a beautifully styled photo of a scallion pancake or a YouTube video breaking down a nostalgic street snack, everything I share is rooted in experience and love for the craft.
I’m most proud of building this brand from the ground up in a place where very few people knew what Taiwanese food was. It’s grown slowly but meaningfully, and I love hearing people say they tried something new because of one of my videos or posts.
CHOOCHOO-ca-CHEW offers food photography, recipe development, and cultural content with heart. I want readers to know: this is a space where food tells stories, and everyone’s welcome at the table.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always super curious—especially when it came to food and the world around me. I loved exploring new places, even if it was just a different neighborhood in my city. Traveling and trying new foods was a grand adventure every time, and I always wanted to learn the way of a local—how people lived, what they ate, the little everyday details that made each place feel unique.
Some of my favorite memories are from going to the markets with my mom. We’d wander through the stalls, smelling herbs, trying new snacks, picking out fresh produce, chatting with vendors. If we had a really good dish at a restaurant, we’d go home and try to recreate it—breaking down the flavors, figuring out the ingredients, and experimenting in the kitchen. That curiosity about taste and technique never really went away.
I think I’ve always been drawn to the details—what makes something special, what gives it its flavor or feeling. Whether it was food, art, or travel, I was the kind of kid who wanted to know how things worked and why they mattered. That mindset still shapes how I cook, create, and connect with people today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://choochoocachew.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/choochoocachew
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/choochoocachew
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@choochoocachew