The Origins of Spicy Pierogi

My name is Caitlin Dziuba Johnson, and I launched Spicy Pierogi as an independent publication, an idea born from a spark of inspiration in a cozy restaurant reminiscent of my Polish grandmother's kitchen. By day, I’m a software engineer, but my heart often wanders to dreams of capturing stories as a photojournalist. Here, I share a blend of travel tales, cultural musings, and snapshots of life that celebrate the flavors of the world—one pierogi at a time.

A Bit More About Me

I’m an American raised in the South, though you won’t catch a hint of a Southern accent in my voice. My heritage is a blend of stories: my mother was born in Canada to "Eastern" European grandparents (a term nuanced enough to merit its own story), while my father’s family hails from eastern North Carolina, proudly tracing their roots back to before the United States was formed.

The contrast spawned from both sides of my ancestry has fueled my passion for exploring identity, history, and the idea of home. Whether I’m writing about off-the-beaten-path destinations, the quirks of living abroad, or the comfort of a perfectly-made pierogi, Spicy Pierogi is where I weave together the threads of my life and the world around me.