I was born in Orange County, California and my family moved to Battle Ground, WA shortly after the Northridge Earthquake in 1994.  Growing up, I was a curious kid who loved spending time after school in the kitchen with my Mom. Those afternoons fueled my curiosity and passion for the culinary arts.

I attended school at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. I moved back to the Northwest and completed externship at the Nines Hotel in Portland, OR. Though I’ve worked in a variety of restaurants and hotels I’ve felt the most fulfilled in senior living. I enjoy getting to know the residents and having a personal connection to each dish being prepared. One of the things I cherish about working in a community is talking with the residents about their favorite dishes. Cooking nostalgic and nourishing meals inspires me, I enjoy being in a field with so much depth and variety.

When I’m not at work I like to be outside in nature; I enjoy camping, kayaking and playing tennis. I cook at home often and enjoy reading about food science and immersing myself in new cuisines.