With hundreds of foodie social media posts, meet @bonappetitmysweet. Or as we know her, Fiona Quiban! In honor of Filipino American History Month, we’re sharing how she’s actively building community through her thousands of views.

Fiona is a proud Filipina-American, who was born in Honolulu and raised in Denver since the age of six.

As the eldest daughter in her family, Fiona has always been a leader, she’s also a founding class member of DSST Green Valley Ranch High School, a network dedicated to serving students of color with a 100% college acceptance rate: “Growing up in Denver’s diverse neighborhoods shaped my appreciation for inclusivity, cultural richness, and equitable access to healthcare and resources.”

While attending the University of Colorado Anschutz, she served as the social media ambassador for the Colorado School of Public Health. She would go on to graduate with her master’s in public health and work in the field.

“I’m passionate about using data and lived experiences to drive meaningful change in communities across Colorado,” she said.

When you think of Filipinos you might think of dance, karaoke, and really good food. For Fiona, her family gatherings always centered around food and community: “My Lola’s constant reminder to ‘eat some more’ taught me that sharing food is a way of sharing love.”

“That value continues to guide me today as a content creator, as I explore Colorado’s food scene, connect with chefs, small businesses, and fellow food lovers. I believe food brings people together, bridges cultures, and opens doors to new experiences”.

Her journey into content creation began on March 12, 2020, with a carousel of local food spots and today, she brings her passion for food to the Mile High Asian Food Week team as a Content Creator.

It’s a special feeling to grow up in Denver and actively play a role in growing our local food scene. Fiona is a homegrown talent! With more than 400 posts, Fiona’s growing influence has attracted small businesses to national chains. Her social media videos regularly break over 1,000 views! One of her favorite collaborations included two of her interests: Hello Kitty and Tiger Sugar.

“It combined two things I truly love: Hello Kitty, which I grew up with, and boba, which I’m obsessed with. I had tried Tiger Sugar in Hawaii and always hoped the franchise would come to Colorado, so when I was invited by their social media manager to promote it, I was beyond excited.”

Fiona’s food photos and videos are posted to her @bonappetitmysweet Instagram and TikTok accounts. Her profiles exude her passion for amplifying local businesses. This passion is what led her to being recruited to join the Mile High Asian Food Week (MHAFW) team. MHAFW is an annual week-long celebration of Colorado’s growing AANHPI culinary scene, launched in 2023.

“It’s been such an honor to be part of a women-led team that is passionate about uplifting the Asian community and local businesses. Working alongside such inspiring women has been incredibly rewarding. Not only do we get to showcase amazing food across Colorado, but we also built connections by sharing our cultures and stories with one another.”

Fiona’s Filipina identity and culture is what shapes her storytelling and content creation. Food is a way to connect with family, friends, and community. “When I highlight local businesses or food events, I’m not just showcasing dishes, I’m sharing the people, traditions, and passions behind them.”

Her Filipina identity gives her a deep appreciation for inclusivity and cultural exchange, which is why she loves exploring a wide variety of cuisines and encourages others to try new things. What’s most amazing about Fiona is the joy she exudes when talking about her latest post or collaboration. Through her work with MHAFW, Fiona shows Denverites how to turn passion into purpose. This purpose has helped motivate her to continue creating content for our growing Colorado food scene.

“I value connection, whether through public health, culture, or food. And one of my favorite sayings sums it up well: ‘Try everything at least once, you never know what you might end up loving.’"