background

In high school I decided that I wanted to do one of three things: be a psychiatrist/study human behavior, be a chef, or teach Spanish. I studied Spanish, Russian, and Japanese at Mercyhurst University, where my work-study gig was in student dining. I grew to really really REALLY enjoy cooking, not only at home but in the small prep tasks I would get to help out the ladies in the cafeteria preparing huge lunches during the summer training camps. After deciding to go vegetarian, I got a position the Erie Whole Foods Co-Op Cafe and got eventually was given a little creative freedom with dishes.

Post-graduation, everyone was throwing themselves into their new careers, but I couldn’t leave cooking. I couldn’t work in an office, take out my jewelry, and never say "f*ck” in mixed company, all of which seemed really important at the time. It was then I made the firm decision that I would pursue a career in food and the pursuit of delicious things. I was obsessed with the cuisine of the world and soaked up any and every tidbit of knowledge floating around the pre-YouTube era internet. I had just spent 4 years studying languages and cultures of the world, I next committed to studying their food.

currently

20 years of grinding in kitchens began to take its toll on my body, and I developed chronic pain/chronic fatigue issues. Recently I have taken a hiatus from cooking, and have been using this time to focus on my health, spending time with family, and continuing to work on my art/build my business. In addition to painting, I’ve been known to make small release hot sauces and grow exotic herbs and peppers.

painting + Arts + crafts

When I was little my first hyperfixation, way before cooking, was art of all flavors. Mostly drawing, but also painting acrylic/watercolor and some sculpture. Recently I’ve been focusing on watercolor and digital art, and truly enjoying learning how to marry the two. Prints, stickers, and other fun bits available at The Art Shop.

food + product photography

Running my own pop-ups and being my own marketing department eventually led me to food photography. In 2016 I bought a basic Canon to photograph my food, and have been experimenting with the medium since. I am always open to new clients to make your cuisine really shine online. I prefer to shoot in natural light, and really enjoy bright, contrasting colors. Drop me a line through the Contact link if you have any questions or are interested in booking a shoot. Check out my gallery of past specials, or instagram for the latest dishes 📸