Keiki in the Kitchen with Mika the Sous Chef
​
Summary
Designed and illustrated a 139-page children’s cookbook featuring over 40 HawaiÊ»i chefs, blending storytelling, educational content, and production-ready layout systems.
​
Role: Lead Designer / Illustrator / Layout Designer
​
​Scope
-
Character design and illustrated story development
-
Full book layout system (139 pages)
-
Typography and cover design
-
Print production and retail launch collateral
Overview
Partnered with Executive Director Denise Hayashi Yamaguchi of the HawaiÊ»i Agricultural Foundation to create an educational children’s cookbook that teaches kids where food comes from and promotes buying local. The project began with the creation of Mika the Sous Chef and expanded into a fully illustrated story integrated into a 139-page cookbook featuring more than 40 of HawaiÊ»i’s top chefs. The book is currently in its second printing.
​
see more information and other Mika merchandise at https://hafmarketplace.com/collections/haf-store
​
Impact
-
Built an accessible layout system for young readers
-
Illustrated and developed the character Mika
-
Unified illustration, typography, and production into one system
-
Preserved family culinary stories in print form
-
Delivered production-ready files for scalable distribution
