You may know food, interiors, and travel photographer Joann Pai by her Instagram name, A Slice of Pai, a favorite online corner for squares that capture the beauty of quiet moments to savor. It wasn’t always the way.

Thirteen years ago, Pai was working for immigration and the government of Canada having completed her studies in criminology. The kitchen was always her personal escape, somewhere to switch off and experience a slow-down. When she started to document her work, it wasn’t long before she started to get noticed. “That's when I realized I was more into the photography part than the cooking part,” she says.

After a chance commission through her Instagram page, she started picking up small jobs that led to her resigning from her role and realizing her dream of moving to Paris to immerse herself in “the beauty and the history of food and gastronomy”.

“What I love about food the most is that it’s a gateway to learn about a different culture, to have conversations and slow down.”

In the meantime, her work has become celebrated for its warmth as well as intrigue. “My style has definitely evolved and that's one of my favorite parts about this job—you're always learning new things. I always want someone to have a sense of place, so wherever I am, I want to transport you there and have you sit at the table with me.”

Or, in this case, a picnic with her in Paris. Here, she creates a summer mise en scène for ABASK.