Thierry Oliva

Thierry Oliva (born 1979) is an American Special Education Teacher, content creator, and blogger. Known for his dedication to education, passion for faith, and love of culinary arts, Thierry has seamlessly blended his roles as an educator and writer. He is the founder of OrthodoxFasting.com, a blog dedicated to Christian Orthodox fasting, faith, and spiritual growth. Thierry initially ventured into food blogging with GrillCulture.com, a platform celebrating grilling and global meat recipes, but later transitioned to focus fully on sharing his Orthodox Christian journey and the transformative impact of fasting.
==Early Life and Education==
Thierry was born and raised in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in West Africa. Surrounded by the rich culinary traditions of the region, his passion for food began early, with smoky grilled meats and hearty stews being a staple of his upbringing. In 1993, civil unrest forced his family to move to Casablanca, Morocco, where he was further exposed to diverse cuisines, including keftas, tagines, grilled fish, and couscous.
Thierry immigrated to the United States to pursue higher education, earning a degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He later graduated from Pacific Oaks College with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Change. To further his expertise, Thierry also earned a Certificate in School Management and Leadership (CSML) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This training in educational leadership has informed his work as a teacher and his ability to create structured, resource-rich content.
==Career, Scuba Diving, and Culinary Influences==
Before beginning his career as an educator, Thierry spent many years exploring his passion for scuba diving. A certified PADI Dive Master, Thierry shared this passion with his late father, who was also an avid scuba diver. Together, they traveled the world, diving in some of the most stunning underwater locations. From the warm waters of the Caribbean to the vibrant reefs of Southeast Asia, these experiences not only strengthened their bond but also introduced Thierry to the richness of global cultures and cuisines.
As a dive master, Thierry honed his teaching skills by training future divers. Leading lessons, ensuring safety, and building confidence in his students helped him develop the patience, communication skills, and adaptability that would later serve him as a Special Education Teacher. His travels also exposed him to a variety of cooking traditions, techniques, and flavors, igniting a love for experimenting with food and incorporating global influences into his culinary creations.
==Passion for Cooking and Transition to Orthodoxy==
Thierry’s love for grilling began in childhood and grew into a professional passion with the launch of GrillCulture.com in 2022. This blog celebrated BBQ culture and offered recipes, tips, and insights inspired by his travels and experiences. While he received no formal culinary training, Thierry honed his skills through trial and error, drawing on the wealth of resources available online and refining his techniques through practice. However, as Thierry deepened his commitment to his Orthodox Christian faith, he faced a unique challenge: transitioning from a pitmaster focused on meat grilling to a chef skilled in preparing plant-based meals for fasting periods. Orthodox Christianity involves extended fasting, often abstaining from meat, dairy, and other animal products. This transformation was not easy but proved life-changing for Thierry and his family, reshaping their relationship with food and spirituality.
In 2024, Thierry founded OrthodoxFasting.com to merge his love of cooking with his faith. The blog is more than a collection of recipes—it is a resource for Christian Orthodox individuals seeking to navigate fasting traditions in accordance with Church teachings. Thierry shares family-friendly fasting recipes, spiritual reflections, and practical guides for both seasoned Orthodox Christians and newcomers to the faith.
==Culinary Philosophy and Vision==
Thierry’s culinary philosophy is rooted in openness, adaptability, and creativity. His experiences as a scuba diver and global traveler taught him that food is a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries. These travels inspired him to experiment with diverse techniques, flavors, and ingredients, which are now reflected in his fasting recipes.
The transition from running GrillCulture.com to OrthodoxFasting.com marked a pivotal moment in Thierry’s life. While he still enjoys grilling as a personal passion, he chose to devote himself fully to serving God and sharing his journey with fellow Orthodox Christians. OrthodoxFasting.com is a labor of love—a space where faith, food, and community come together.
==Personal life==
Thierry resides in Orange County, California, with his wife, Sandra, and their two children. A devoted husband and father, he treasures family time and the joys of faith and food. Outside of teaching and blogging, Thierry enjoys scuba diving, a hobby that connects him to cherished memories with his father and continues to inspire his sense of wonder and discovery.
==References==
==External links==
* Orthodox Fasting
* Orthodox Fasting
* Prayers for the fast
* Fasting recipes
* Fasting calendar
* Orthodoxy
Category:1979 births
Category:American chefs
Category:American restaurateurs
Category:American bloggers
Category:American entrepreneurs