Meet Maya Balan | Content Creator & Blogger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maya Balan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Growing up, I was always a big foodie. Every time my family and I would go to a restaurant together, I had to order something unique on the menu, something I had never tried or tasted before. The presentation and plating techniques always fascinated me and I always felt incredibly lucky to try such beautiful and delicious meals(dishes). When I was at home during my freshman year of college, I started binging MasterChef. It was a show about these traditional home cooks who came out making gourmet meals that could be served in any five star restaurant. As I began to think, if these home cooks can do it why can’t I? And so I began my journey to creating my food blog @worldsbuffet on Instagram where I share photos of food from all around the world that either myself or my friends have captured or recipes that I make myself!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a child, I always loved music and art whether I was playing basic chords on piano or drawing with my crayons. My mom noticed this early and put me in music classes which certainly fostered my creative side. As I got older, I experimented more with cooking and photography and I wanted to do something with it. When Covid hit, I realized this was the perfect opportunity for me to combine both of these passions and share something with the world that means a lot to me. To me, the Earth without “Art” is just “Eh”. In all reality, I don’t think I have a set professional goal or anything specific I want to achieve with my brand. To me, being an entrepreneur or starting anything, whether its a lifestyle blog or a brand, means that you are creating a sustainable positive change for those around you. As long as my blog is making people’s day better, helping someone learn a new recipe, or pointing them to a new restaurant with mouthwatering dishes, that is truly all I can ask for.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Carlsbad is one of my favorite spots in the San Diego area! I enjoy the city center and love taking long strolls by the beachfront or renting out a boogie board. We would also grab a bite at Bluewater Grill, they have the most stunning seafood dishes and the chipotle rice is the best bite of food I’ve had in the area by FAR. I also enjoy the La Jolla cove especially when the sea lions are basking by the beach. La Jolla is also beautiful at night and I enjoy walking around and stopping by at all the interesting shops on the street and grabbing a sweet treat at my favorite pastry shop in the area. A little outside of the San Diego area is a small tea house called the Aubrey Rose Tea Room which is such a lovely experience from the divine pastries and unlimited tea selections.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To my mom, my dad, and my older brother, I would not be who I am without all your love and support!

Instagram: @worldsbuffet