Today we’d like to introduce you to Lotus Pittmon.
Lotus, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am native to San Diego, a city where creatives are celebrated. Interestingly enough I did not discover my inner calling to be anything outside of a doctor until I moved to Seattle, WA in 2012. It was there where I had my first job in the restaurant industry. I worked for an amazing food truck group, a high-end Asian restaurant and did catering at the Seattle Art Museum. I had a profound realization that culinary came naturally to me, and I loved it, like a lot. As simple as it was for me to find fulfillment in culinary, it was not as easy knowing that I had spent seven years of schooling efforts towards a medical degree that (unfortunately to my mother) I will probably not use to my fullest potential.
In 2018, I moved back to San Diego to utilize my network to start a food-focused endeavor of my own.
I am in the last phase of launching a new food truck called Lotus Flower Food. It will feature some traditional Asian foods I grew up eating, with a modern twist.
Along my path of exploring the world of creatives after I returned home to San Diego, I also began a passion project as a DJ. I have been DJ-ing at different events in San Diego like Honey Dip and Pride. My goal is to feature amazing underground artists and play new songs people aren’t familiar with. If you ever see DJ Lotus anywhere, come say hi!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My mother’s side of the family is Filipino. I grew up in a fairly traditional family where there was high expectations on every level. I went to an all-girls private school called the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. I have never been comfortable with my sexuality with my family because they are committed to their beliefs, but luckily, I have found an abundance of love and support from my community of friends. That is an ongoing struggle that I still have yet to resolve. It empowers me to show compassion to all different kinds of people that I serve food to or that I dance with. Living in Seattle was a path of the inner awakening of my creative passions, but it was also a walk through my deepest shadows. I lived some of the hardest days while I was in that city. Everything that I have experienced has motivated me to live with more intention and help others rise.
Please tell us about The Lotus Group.
Lotus Flower Foods incorporates the ancestral foods that I grew up eating, recipes passed down for generations and of course, flowers. I bring flowers to life on your plate by using flower butters and flower essence in my recipes. I also top every dish with edible flowers!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Going to Jamaica with my family! Honestly, the two things that I loved the most was trying Jamaican food for the first time, and the music. So, I guess that trip really went full circle! I feel like I can still taste the bananas, Jamaican jerk rub and the seafood. It was so special and life-changing.
Contact Info:
- Website: lotusflowerfood.com
- Phone: 619-869-5164
- Email: lotusflowerfoods@gmail.com
- Instagram: lotusflowergroup
Image Credit:
Molly Behunin, Sierra Weltha, Jessie Fowler, Ariana Velazquez
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