Juri Imao

Known for his fast-paced cooking videos online, Juri Imao or “Jujumao” shares how he went from looking for jobs to becoming a social media sensation

- Syrah Vivien J Inocencio

Food is more than just a basic necessity for Juri Imao or Jujumao. It is a cultural dialogue that is a gateway to millions of hearts and stomachs worldwide. This longhaired young chef, who whips up cooking videos at double speed, has amassed over 5.5 million subscribers across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.

His many followers appreciate him for sharing great recipes and celebrating international cuisine while highlighting fresh takes on Filipino dishes. “We incorporate as many different and unique cuisines and dishes as possible to show our audience the vast and exciting cultures of food that surround us,” he tells Tatler. “We also love to showcase new and exciting takes on Filipino cuisine to the whole world.”

From Commis Chef to Content King

When the world slowed down during the global pandemic that started in 2020, Imao’s creativity took flight. After losing his job as a commis chef, he searched for ways to re-enter the culinary industry.