THE BANANALEAF FAMILY
Founder and chef, Carina Tan, hails from Malaysia, a melting pot of Chinese , Malay and Indian cuisines. Carina is of ethnic Chinese origin but was born and grew up in Malaysia where good food is a way of life with a blending of the flavors of the myriad cultures. Thailand was just over the border and authentic Thai food was easily available in her hometown. She moved to the United States in 1986 for college and quickly realized she had to make all the food she loved as a student with a tight budget. Graduating with a Bachelors in Chemistry and a Masters in Biochemistry, Carina went on to a 20 year career in the pharmaceutical industry as a scientist. She says “Food and science have much in common. You have to be passionate, willing to experiment and dedicated to detail and quality!” In those years, she cultivated her passion for food and entertaining, hosting many parties, large and small, always injecting the flair and flavor of South East Asia to delighted guests.
Husband and wife team, Lincoln Taylor and Carina Tan, live in New London, New Hampshire. Their family comprises a 20 year old in college, an 9th grader, and a newborn baby.
Family photo was taken by Thea Dodds of Authentic Eye Photography