Rising Stars: Meet Ruby Hom of Chandler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruby Hom.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I love to travel, and I love food; those were the two driving ideas behind @theroamingruby. Born in the Philippines, I am a self-proclaimed Navy brat. I moved to the States when I was 10 months old. I, unfortunately, don’t speak Tagalog, but I understand it. I grew up all over CA and various states. Moving a lot as a kid has given me an appreciation for diversity and the ability to travel as often as possible. While traveling, my favorite thing is finding what is local to the area. And “eat as a local would eat.” Coffee and espresso fuel my veins, and it is usually the first thing I look up to when I travel. Local coffee shops always give me a sense of the people in the area. Having two best friends who have served in the military and a mom who is a flight attendant has allowed me to expand my travel experiences. I have always been the friend who took pictures of her food to post on Facebook and later on Instagram. At some point, friends and co-workers often asked me, “What did you think of that restaurant/coffee spot?” or, “Where should I take an out-of-towner for dinner?” I strive to always give an honest opinion without focusing too much on the negative. You never know what someone might like, and I’ve never been a fan of “yucking” someone else’s yum. What is different for me might be exactly what someone else has been looking for. With encouragement from friends and family, I started @theroamingruby in 2020 to share my love for food and travel.

We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, smooth is not the word I would use to describe the journey. I started in 2020, right before the world stopped making traveling and eating out immensely hard. I have yet to take an international trip since 2019. While I did what I could to order food from local spots, photographing take-out food at home will never be and can never substitute for your dining experience inside a restaurant. I missed printed menus! I still miss them. Chatting with the waiter about their recommendations or watching a bartender or mixologist while they make your drink is one of the best parts of a dining experience. Being unable to share a meal with close friends was the hardest part. Sharing food with people is easily one of my favorite things to do.

I also had a health scare that sidelined me for almost a year. Creating content requires consistency. Focusing on my health slowed any progress toward reaching more people. I’m still a “new creator,”.  I have a very small following compared to other foodies and influencers. I often doubt if I can even call myself an influencer. Thinking about how many more followers, likes, shares, etc., can be daunting. But I’ve been focused on having fun with my posts and sharing more about myself a little at a time. If I never wind-up having thousands of followers, that’s ok. I’ll be sharing my food, experiences, and travel as long as I find joy and fun. There is no point in doing this otherwise. I hope that others find what I share worthwhile and fun too!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to be more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I work in healthcare to pay the bills. However, I would love to be able to travel and eat for a living, haha.

I do my best to try both popular and under the radar spots in the valley! Trying different places to eat is my way of “traveling” while I’m home. 

Being a kid that moved around a lot, every year or so, has made me very open. I feel fortunate to have lived in many places; CA (several different naval bases in CA), WA, Guam, AZ (Sierra Vista, Tucson, Flagstaff, and Phoenix). Being exposed to many different types of people and cultures has produced a need for diversity and variety. Diversity in food, people, politics, environment, and cultures has intensified. I have been so lucky to visit places like Seoul, South Korea, and various places in England, Ireland, Italy, and Montreal. I have also explored many big U.S. cities like San Francisco, Chicago, L.A., and Philly, to smaller cities in AK, OH, KY, VT, FL, and more. Every place offered a different point of view, a different taste, and a different vibe. I could not live life without exploring.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory would have to be most holidays. Filipino families typically make both American and Filipino food. So, the spread would look like this: ham, mashed potatoes, rolls, and then Filipino favorites like lumpia, pancit, or even Filipino spaghetti. So, it’s the one time of year when I get to eat lumpia with turkey and gravy and a side of mashed potatoes, macaroni, cheese, or rice. Usually, it was all the above!

Another favorite would be all the road trips we would take as a family. My first visit to the Grand Canyon was before I moved to AZ. Visiting places like Canada, Sequoia, Bryce Canyon, or a family trip to San Diego or San Francisco would always feel like a new adventure.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: theroamingruby
• Email: theroamingruby@gmail.com