I’m an industry-trained chef, baker, and culinary leader—but at heart, I’m simply passionate about connecting people to memories and history through food.

 

My journey started in Northern California, surrounded by strong culinary matriarchs. Decorating cookies as a toddler turned into professional cake classes by age eleven and paid demonstrations by twelve for Michael's Arts and Crafts.

 

After high school, I moved to New York City to study musical theatre, but the kitchen quickly called me back. Within a week, I began apprenticing at Soutine, a renowned French bakery, where I built a foundation in high-volume, scratch baking and classic European technique.

 

At 25, I launched my first solo baking venture, Cookie Canvas, before moving to Los Angeles, where I expanded my experience across pastry, bakery management, and kitchen leadership:

• Duff’s Cakemix (LA): Helped build and operate a custom decorating studio alongside Duff Goldman.

• Ace Hotel (LA): Served as Executive Pastry Chef and Executive Sous Chef, leading multi-outlet, high-volume operations

 

Seeking a stronger connection to agriculture, I relocated to Spokane, Washington, where I:

• Led as Executive Chef at Hotel RL

• Consulted with Sysco Foods to improve bakery and restaurant operations

• Opened Rind And Wheat, an artisan bakery focused on Old World techniques, local grains, and Portuguese influences.

 

I also spent years sharing my perspective through a food column in The Spokesman-Review and as Chef for the Spokane Public Library.

 

After selling Rind And Wheat, I transitioned into education, serving as a Culinary Professor at Inland Northwest Culinary Academy, where I focused on developing the next generation of culinarians.

 

My passion for pushing limits, creating appealing recipes, and thinking on the fly under pressure led to national acclaim through culinary competitions, with appearances and wins on Food Network, Peacock Network, and Hallmark Channel.

• Winner - Christmas Cookie Challenge (Food Network), 2018

• Winner - Christmas Cookie Matchup (Hallmark Channel), 2019

• Winner - Real California Pizza Contest, 2020

• Winner - Snoop and Martha's Very Tasty Halloween (Peacock Network), 2021

• Winner - Francis Ford Coppola Perfect Your Pizza Contest, 2024

 

Today, I work with The Middleby Corporation, representing brands such as Carter-Hoffmann, Doyon, and Nu-Vu—helping foodservice operations scale through smarter equipment, bakery expertise, and operational insights.

 

Alongside this work, I'm developing my first cookbook: a Portuguese Baking book reflecting my time in professional bakeries and pastry kitchens and celebrating my Portuguese American Heritage. I want to honor my family's heritage from Portugal & the Azores to Hawaii and then Northern California, honoring tradition while exploring modern bakes, kitchens, and sensibilities.