My Journey of Becoming a Private Chef

I am from Flagstaff, Arizona. I was raised playing in the gardens in my backyard. There I learned where food came from and developed my palate for selecting good-quality vegetables. I have loved good, wholesome food ever since I can remember.

My great grandfather introduced me to cooking at the age of three. He died when I was six and I was given a sign he had on his front door about cooking. I have treasured it and have made it my lifetime goal to cook in honor of him.  I planned to make food my mission in life. I experimented with everything in our kitchen, initially the food was "interesting"... but with time, these experiments became beautiful and delicious dishes. My parents were very health conscious, only allowing organic food in the house and did not allow processed food in my diet. They taught me how food affects the body and mind.

I chose to go to Flagstaff High School because of their culinary program. I learned how to cook in an organized, "picture perfect" way. As a senior I won a full-ride scholarship through Careers through Culinary Arts Program (CCAP) to the Art Institute for a bachelor's degree in culinary. (I declined it because they didn't have a cross-country running team). I also competed in a group cooking competition through Arizona Pro-Start in which  we won first place in Arizona. Still wanting to further my culinary interest, I took a year off after high school to work in local kitchens to save money to go to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York where I was offered a partial scholarship.

After leaving New York, I spent almost a year in beautiful Boulder, Utah learning about farm-to-table cuisine. I currently live in Flagstaff, Arizona, working full-time as a personal chef. I have been a home chef for a year and a half full-time for a family. I work with families on a weekly basis, creating menus and dishes to match their likes and tastes. I have also catered small parties, weddings, and family events. I am willing to travel, primarily to Flagstaff, Sedona, and Williams. 

I am also an athlete.  I have spent several years running cross country. I am certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. I plan to study sports nutrition and have a strong desire to be a private chef for athletic teams that come from around the world to train in Flagstaff's excellent high altitude environment.

I work with people on a very personal level, helping them eat healthy meals that work with their personal diets, fitness, and lifestyle.