Pursuing a thrilling culinary journey after high school, Hoover graduate Josh Simpao is currently under the mentorship of award-winning chef and restaurateur Sherry Yard.
“I became inspired to become a chef during my junior year of high school in 2018. I was enrolled in culinary class with Chef Dawn Roznowski, and she was one of the reasons why I continued with cooking/baking after high school,” said Simpao, a 2020 graduate.
“Since I was little I was captivated by how great Michelin Chefs and James Beard Awarded Chefs [produced] such amazing food…I made it a goal to become a chef when I [turned] 21 years old, and surprisingly, I achieved that goal.”
Simpao operated in five different areas during the four years of his cooking career.
He worked at Glendale Katsuya as a Prep and Line Cook from 2021 to 2022 and at Kuya Lord in West Hollywood as a Sous Chef from 2022 to 2025. During his time at Kuya Lord, Simpao worked with Chef Lord Maynard Llera, who won the James Beard Award of Best Chef in California.
Simpao is now exploring the art of pastry making with the acclaimed Yard.
“I enjoy baking more than cooking because I feel at most peace having more control over what I’m creating,” Simpao explained. “Since I was young I’ve always been a sweet tooth…from sweet fruits to cakes, it was something that comforted me at hard times.”
His signature recipe is a reflection of his love for sweets and an appreciation for unique and complex textures and flavors.
“[It’s] a toasted flattened rice and white chocolate cookie. The reason why it’s so special to me is because of the toasted flattened rice, [which] gives off a roasty and nutty aromatic that pairs well with the rich white chocolate.”
Simpao’s plans for the future include running his own Filipino-inspired cafe and bakery that specializes in delicious pastries.
“I plan to travel all over the Philippines and learn about different pastries that my home country has to offer and bring it to the states,” claimed Simpao.
From the culinary program of Hoover to some of California’s most talented chefs, Simpao is still only just beginning a successful career in the culinary arts.
