During my time in the Bay Area, I worked for numerous top food establishments, growing and making connections. I learned the ins and outs of the food industry. I opened food establishments, line cooked, catered, fermented cider, and took on a lot of freelance work. I found myself opening doors I didn't even know existed.

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In 2016, I began dabbling in private chef work. I hosted private dinner parties, cooked for politicians, and catered philanthropic events. I learned from incredibly experienced chefs, and said yes to every opportunity that came my way. I forged relationships, and became apart of an incredible team of chefs. 

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After two years in the Bay Area, I felt like it was time to continue my education. I had a newfound interest in holistic health, and was fascinated by the human body. I began exploring my interests through taking courses part time at a community college. In 2018 I started school full time at San Francisco State University (SFSU), studying health education and holistic health.

 

I continued my private chef work full time, and found myself assisting in the launch of Vita Kitchen, a meal delivery service in the East Bay. What started out as two girls cooking for a few families, turned into a full blown business in the span of two years. We hired a small team of chefs and I worked as Chef de Cuisine until late 2020, feeding upwards 20+ families a week.

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In mid 2020, I graduated from SFSU, and had some decision making to do. The pandemic changed my outlook on life, and I was ready to start a new chapter. I made the decision to leave Vita Kitchen, and plan a move back home to Oregon. But not before taking on one last client, who was in need of a chef to cook and guide them through the low FODMAP elimination diet.

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This job hit home for me, I had no intentions of taking on a new client, but I pushed back my moving plans, because I truly felt I had something to offer this client. 

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I have lived most of my life battling an autoimmune disorder and IBS. I am familiar with the frustrations of doctors not knowing how to help, and every test result coming back as if nothing is wrong, but the pain and symptoms were undeniable. 

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In 2018, I experienced the worst flare up to date. For months, I was unable to keep food in my system, and I lost so much weight I hardly recognized myself in the mirror. Everything I ate seemed like it was a trigger for my IBS, and I found myself afraid to eat anything. That is when I began working with a dietitian, following the low FODMAP diet, it was extremely restrictive, and the polar opposite of what I was eating at the time. 

 

I spent around a year, eliminating all high FODMAP foods. Including garlic, onions, and gluten!!! It was challenging, and made my job as a chef extremely difficult, but I was determined to heal my body, and gain back the love I had for food.

 

I dove deep into researching the mind-gut connection, and was living everything I was learning in my holistic health courses. I was managing my stress levels, meditating, and taking breaks when I needed them. I was eating when I was hungry, and stopped eating when I was full -- even if there was still food on my plate. I food logged everything I put into my body, and took note of any symptoms I experienced, including my stress levels.

 

It was a slow process reintroducing FODMAPs back into my diet. The first couple of introductions triggered flare ups that lasted days, it was discouraging, but I kept trying. I celebrated every small victory, I tested and retested foods numerous times, until I successfully introduced all FODMAPS in moderation back into my diet.

 

I learned to listen to my bodies ques, and how to respond to them. I changed my internal dialogue, and became familiar with my safe foods. Today I am able to eat freely, but it was a long journey to get here. My diet may not look anything like it use to, but I found something that works for me. 

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In 2021 I moved back to Oregon, with the intention of starting a personal chef service geared towards helping individuals who struggle with digestive health. When working with me, we will take a whole body approach to healing. I will guide you through your food journey, and provide you with the resources you need to get your body back into balance.

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Healing ​the body is a slow process, all bodies are unique, and each person's journey will look different. I am here to listen, and guide you through the process. Everyone deserves to reclaim control of their life, and not let fear stand in the way of happiness.