MERLE G. HAUGHEY, PROPRIETOR

Merle Haughey attributes her passion for cooking to her Asian roots, "I grew up in a household where my Dad was always cooking something delicious.  On Sundays, sumptuous food was always the focus of family gatherings.  We experimented with food from across oceans; exotic flavors were always a welcome fare."

Merle grew up in Hawaii, the source of her aloha spirit. She has also lived in England, Paris, Singapore, and Hong Kong with her husband John, an executive and entrepreneur of international proportion. Her extensive globetrotting fueled her delight in all things culinary. Eventually, Merle's love of gastronomic delights led to courses at the prestigious California Culinary Academy San Francisco, where Olio seeds were sown.