An appreciation of quality food started at a young age. Her father immigrated from China with his family as a young teen. Cerrissa’s grandfather worked in various Chinese Restaurants in NYC and always made cooking a part of family time. Along with her cousins, she would help their grandfather prepare meals. He never learned English and she never learned Chinese, so food was their way of communicating. Quality ingredients with little waste was one of the most important things he instilled in her. Poplar pays homage to his memory and ethos on food.

Cerrissa has a background in Government & Law, Interior Design, Tile, Personal Training, and Education. She has worked in DC restaurants on and off and is a certified cider expert.