About Us

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After becoming a chef over 25 years ago, I realized that this profession was as much about the service as it was about the food. Over the years, I’ve honed my skills in diverse settings—working in hotels, fine dining, running a successful catering company for 16 years, and creating healthy meals for children in a daycare/Montessori school setting. I’ve also had the privilege of serving as Head Chef and Food & Beverage Director for a local amusement park, restaurant, and saloon. Injuries led me down a different path as a chef, to a functional nutrition certification, and the decision to begin work as a chef in multiple mental health and wellness facilities. A shift in my focus as a chef led me to starting Healthy Homestead Personal Chef.  This service allows me to bring all of this experience together to provide high-quality meal prep solutions that help fuel families and individuals through their busy lives. 

With over a quarter of a century as a chef, my philosophy begins with whole foods, crafted from scratch, and grounded in the principles of sustainability and nutrition.

I believe in the power of whole foods—ingredients that are minimally processed, free from seed oils, artificial sweeteners,  gmo ingredients that lead to inflammation and digestive issues. By focusing on wholesome ingredients, we can create meals that not only taste great but are also nourishing our minds and bodies to help keep us fueled throughout our busy lives.  

Every dish tells a story, and I strive to honor that by preparing meals from scratch, using whole foods that are high quality and delicious. Cooking from scratch allows me to control the quality behind every dish,  and ensures that each meal is made with care, attention, and quality.

The relationships with local farms and producers are the driving force behind the weekly menu creation.  As much as the season allows, I emphasize using locally sourced ingredients from like minded and passionate small scale businesses that view food and the importance of quality first and foremost. Supporting local farmers not only enhances the freshness of my dishes but also fosters community connections and reduces our environmental footprint.

My menus are inspired by the seasons, allowing me to take advantage of the freshest ingredients available. This approach ensures that each meal is vibrant and flavorful while celebrating the unique offerings of each season.  It also introduces new fruits and vegetables that offer so many benefits for the brief window we are able to enjoy them locally.  

My goal is to provide delicious, nutritiously dense meals that not only satisfy hunger but also support and fuel a wellness based lifestyle through whole foods free from processed ingredients, seed oils, and additives.    

25 Years of diverse culinary experience
Since deciding to become a chef, my passion for food has been matched by a dedication to service. I believe that every meal is an opportunity to create joy and connection.

My skills have been honed across a wide variety of settings including:

Hotels and Fine Dining: Learning the nuances of gourmet cuisine and hospitality.

Catering Company Founder and Owner: For 16 years, I crafted memorable experiences for my clients.

Healthy Meals for Kids: At a daycare and Montessori school, I created and prepared a nutritious meal plan, as well as taught classes to children  that fueled young minds and bodies.

Head Chef & Food & Beverage Director: I led the food and beverage operations at a local amusement park, restaurant, and saloon, facing unique culinary challenges.

A New Path in Nutrition
Major back and bicep injuries shifted my trajectory, leaving me unable to work for the first time in my career. It was during this time that I realized how important the connection is between what we eat and how we perform and feel.  While completing a functional nutrition program over the next 2 years, I took on positions as head chef at an eating disorder facility, as well as food and dining facilities director at The Orenda Center of Wellness, a substance abuse & mental health treatment center in Frederick MD.  Using this Functional Nutrition approach, I became highly aware of the connection between our mind and body, more specifically food as medicine, and the important role it plays in our healing.

Healthy Homestead Personal Chef 

Is the apex of my culinary experiences, providing high-quality, intentionally whole food forward meal prep solutions made for busy families and individuals that hold the quality of the food they eat to be at the highest importance. My goal is to fuel lives with nutritiously dense, seasonally driven and sourced meals that are not just good for the body but also delicious and satisfying.