Born in New York City and raised in the Philippines, Chef Lem brings Filipino flavors into a modern New American context. His experience includes Oxalis (★), the opening team at Place des Fêtes, and serving as Sous Chef within the John Fraser group at restaurants including 701West and North Fork Table & Inn. In 2024, he co-founded Solo Diner, a Filipino American pop-up rooted in nostalgia, seasonality, and preservation-driven techniques.