Fasicka Hicks was born in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, where she learned to cook traditional Ethiopian cuisine from her mother. She immigrated to Arlington, Texas, in 1996, where she met her husband, Patrick. They are the owners of the popular BBQ-Ethiopian restaurant Smoke 'N Ash B.B.Q., which was named one of the New York Times' most exciting restaurants of 2022, as well as being featured on CBS Mornings The Dish and in Texas Monthly.Metasebia Afework was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where, starting at a young age, she learned to cook with her mother and older siblings. She sharpened her cooking skills and learned about modern cooking at culinary school in Addis Ababa, where she lives with her husband and three children.

Shan Wong documents the diversity of cuisines, with a focus on Texan cuisine.