Dawn Sakamoto Paiva has two decades of experience in the book and magazine publishing industries. She has worked on numerous award-winning cookbooks with prominent Hawai‘i chefs and has a passion for food and drink. In 2014, she started her own business, Put It On My Plate, which offers communications, marketing and event coordination services, photography, writing, and editing, and specializes in working with chefs, restaurants, bars, and food-related businesses.

Paiva was born and raised in Windward O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, is a graduate of ‘Iolani high school, and earned her degree in English from Kenyon College in Ohio. She is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, Hawai‘i Chapter, and maintains (off and on!) a blog, Sugar + Shake , where she chronicles her adventures in food, drink, and, sometimes, travel.