49 Comments
User's avatar
Ro's avatar

East coaster here, and I think a cooking demo or cook-along would be awesome. Congrats on the new campaign!

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illyanna Maisonet's avatar

Thank you SOOO much for commenting!

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Jennifer Lea Cohan's avatar

Greetings from NJ, I'd also love to be part of a virtual hangout!

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Julie's avatar

Agree! Love this idea as a fellow east coaster.

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WCG's avatar

I second those sentiments!

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Sarah's avatar

Texas here and an online hangout would be great!

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SuziS's avatar

I'm a West Coaster, and would love to get to the Bay Area for an in-person ... but realistically? Heck yes a cooking demo!

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Kat's avatar

I would love a cooking demo/cook along with a q&a after. Maybe one where we all eat together after we cook.

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Julie's avatar

And the q&a after would be great too!

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Kirsten Griffith's avatar

I’ll echo the other East Coast folks and take whatever live hang you feel like having! I’d help with the SF party as I haven’t been back since I moved home in 2010, but it takes less time and is a way cheaper flight to PR from Maine… 😏

PS You are your own end of the bargain. I’m here for you, to support you getting to do what you want with your time and energy. Hopefully we can find you more subscribers who aren’t asking for more than that. 🫶🏼

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Kirsten Griffith's avatar

I think we could start a subgroup of Friends of Illyanna and have local dinners we just hope you show up to virtually sometimes 😏🫶🏼

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illyanna Maisonet's avatar

There definitely seems to be more folks on the east coast.

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Kirsten Griffith's avatar

If this gets you thinking on a trip, please let me submit Portland, Maine as a potential location: happy to help in any way, and have a very flexible location and connections to a local venue if you wanted something bigger than a house party but still intimate.

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Kirsten Griffith's avatar

Flexible SCHEDULE, I got so excited I mixed up my words 🫣

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Julie's avatar

Congratulations on the partnership with Sargento!

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illyanna Maisonet's avatar

Thank you so much!!

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DPLK's avatar

I would love to do a livestream event if you had one planned. But committed to keep supporting regardless. I really miss the mukbangs you and Mami did, would you consider reposting them on YouTube (so you can get more ad revenue) or is there a way for you to post them on Substack for paid subscribers only, if you don’t want them available to general public? I don’t want to burden you with making more, cuz I know they were a pain to setup and get so much food, but would love to rewatch the old ones.

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illyanna Maisonet's avatar

I miss doing those and really wanna share them with those who took the time and effort to show up for us during that special time. But due to certain circumstances, I just don’t feel comfortable having them available.

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DPLK's avatar

Totally respect your decision and privacy and comfort about it all! ♥️♥️♥️

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DPLK's avatar

Also congrats on the partnership with sargento!

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illyanna Maisonet's avatar

Thank you!!!

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Diann Leo-Omine's avatar

Congrats on the campaign! Throwing out the idea of a Sacramento meet (there has to be other Sacramento people here, right?) If not, I could easily be lumped into the Bay Area people.

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illyanna Maisonet's avatar

I'm sure there are a few more peeps from Sac. But, it wouldn't make sense to have two gatherings with the Bay being so close.

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Smedette's avatar

*sadly waves across the Pacific from Melbourne*

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illyanna Maisonet's avatar

😩😩😩

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Smedette's avatar

An online cookalong or sharing a meal together would be really cool (eg: Samin Nosrat’s “Big Lasagna” gathering during early COVID), but don’t worry about my ridiculous time zone problem! Schedule it for the US zones.

Oh! And a MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS on your new campaign!! 🧀🧀🧀

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illyanna Maisonet's avatar

thank you!

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Kelley Becker's avatar

*waves back from Germany*

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illyanna Maisonet's avatar

LOL!!!!

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Susana Tempel's avatar

NYer but currently in CO, would love a virtual hang with a Q&A as previously suggested. ♥️

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Ivee Aguayo's avatar

I live in Berkeley and I love this idea!! Hosting a dinner so we could all chat especially about Puerto Rico, recipes, etc I'm here for it!!!

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Sarah's avatar

Did you know your cookbook is number 1 in Caribbean and West Indian cookbooks on Amazon?!? Just went to buy a third copy—this time for my coworker—and saw that! I doubt sadly that you get any kickback for that but know that you are AMAZINGGGGG.

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illyanna Maisonet's avatar

thanks for sharing this info! I didn't know.

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Kelley Becker's avatar

Congrats on the campaign!!!

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illyanna Maisonet's avatar

Thank you so much!

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Teresa Urkofsky's avatar

YEEEEESSSSSSS! I would LOVE to e see you!

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Mollie I.'s avatar

Congrats on the campaign! I’m in the East Bay and would be open to helping plan something in person out here. I don’t have much money to contribute right now, but would be open to giving time and hands for help. Your one of the subscriptions I’ll be keeping as long as possible, no matter how broke I get!

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illyanna Maisonet's avatar

Thanks for offering!!! I’d definitely be the one paying. I just need so much help these days as I tend to get overwhelmed so easily! I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

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Mollie I.'s avatar

Nothing wrong with you at all. Trying to do everything yourself is guaranteed to drive you crazy at some point. Happy to help out!

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Jessica's avatar

I live in NY so can't attend but think these are awesome ideas! I lost my job so I have been cutting back on subscriptions, I wonder if other people are cutting back too? I enjoy all your content. Thanks for what you do!

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illyanna Maisonet's avatar

It’s definitely possible. I’m gonna lower the cost of the subscription.

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Diane Williams's avatar

I will resubscribe the instant I get my finances in order! I love your Newsletter and recipes!!! So glad I have Diasporican!♥️♥️

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RJ's avatar

I would love a Friendsgiving as Thanksgiving has become a joyless holiday for a variety of reasons but since I'm an EastCoaster as well a live demo/AMA would be awesome 💚

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