15 years ago, I was just a food-obsessed, cookbook-hoarder working in corporate sales and living the Army wife dream; following my physician husband to the ends of the earth and beyond. In the midst of yet another move, I was presented with an amazing opportunity to fulfill one of my life’s dreams - to go to culinary school. I found myself in one of the most exciting places to eat in America practically overnight.

At Tante Marie’s Cooking School in the heart of San Francisco, I learned the fundamentals of French cuisine and ate my way through the local food scene. Classic mother sauces and soufflés by day, San Francisco foodie hotspots by night. I was in heaven!

Just a few months after graduation, my husband and I moved to Germany, and for the next 4 years, we ate our way through almost every country in Europe. I met chefs, winemakers, cheesemakers, and all sorts of farmers, and it was at the Le Cordon Bleu in Paris that I fell in love with fresh, local, seasonal, market cuisine. Through these experiences, I was inspired to write my first cookbook.

I have taken cooking classes all over the world including Italy, France, Spain, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. I’m a food enthusiast turned cookbook author, private chef and advocate for meaningful causes. With a background rooted in global culinary traditions, I strive to create memorable dining experiences that bring people together. I live in Gulf Breeze, FL, with my husband, David, and our two daughters, Sophia and Elena, who inspire me daily.

Welcome and enjoy!

xo,

Rina