FAQs
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Our process for working with a new customer begins with an introductory message, which includes a price quote and brief description of what services we may provide to meet your needs. The next step is for us to exchange another message or two (or speak by telephone) to ensure that we understand what specifically you are looking to get out of the service, and make sure that you understand clearly what we offer. ************************************ If you desire help with menu planning in advance of the cooking lesson, educational dinner party, or other service, we offer to speak about this on the phone for up to 30 minutes. We then typically will purchase, or source from our extensive pantry, up to $50 of ingredients and bring them to your home at the time of service (unless, of course, you are meeting us at our home kitchen). The cost of these ingredients are generally included in your quote. ************************************ The service is offered at our home or yours. See What types of customers have you worked with below for a full description of the services we offer. After our time together, we will ask if we may connect with you again to ask for feedback and to see if you would like to schedule any follow-up services. ************************************
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My journey with food has been something of an odyssey -- a deep exploration in world cultures, ethnobotany, and the felt monumental import of gathering together with loved ones around food. I have extensive, hands-on experience with a number of accomplished professional chefs, as well as even more skilled cooks (who, though they may not be professionally trained, nor call themselves chefs, are keepers of deep food wisdom -- these are the grandmothers who make beautiful & delicious food as if their lives & families depended on it). I value most, these qualities of *Home*. ************************************ A student of many traditions, I has learned from local peoples with culinary traditions from all over the world. While my Mediterranean ancestry is a huge inspiration & source of expertise, i am able to share the basic patterns of many world cuisines, while remaining respectful of their roots. In part, this faithfulness to the roots comes from being also a gardener & farmer -- who knows well what it takes to cultivate nourishing food. Meanwhile, I cultivates a willingness to utilize new techniques & local ingredients. I aspire to cook like everyones peasant grandmother -- simply; beautifully; and with the best ingredients. ************************************ My assistant, Angie, and I also have experience in a variety of community kitchen settings in which we donate our time & expertise. We have worked with individuals & small groups to prepare delicious meals for 5-150 people, all while taking into consideration complex dietary restrictions. We delight in helping the cooks around us learn new skills and dishes, and often find ourselves learning as well. ************************************
- What types of customers have you worked with?
PERSONAL CHEF :: We work with clients who desire a refrigerator full of delicious & righteous food for the week (or a festive meal at Home for friends or family) thats prepared in their kitchen. We can time our arrival with a fresh CSA box of produce and prepare it all that day, alongside some of our favorite pantry staples. ************************************ EDUCATIONAL DINNER PARTIES :: We offer food & educational services to people who desire delicious & enlivening evenings at home with friends. We enjoy creating food culture together, as well as sharing the skills & knowledge required to make amazing food at Home. We involve the guests throughout the meals preparation, and add cultural lore & botanic wisdom along the way. The meal is then enjoyed with or without us. ************************************ COOKING INSTRUCTION :: We offer many styles of cooking instruction, catering to cooks of all experience levels and interests. Some of the many themes we have taught in the past include: Local & Seasonal Cooking; Basic Knife Skills & Sharpening; How to Eat Well & Heal the Planet (On the Cheap); Creative Use of Whatevers Around; and a *peasant foods lens* (spicy, robust & delicious) on many cuisines of the world (Mediterranean, Indian, Latin, Italian, Arab, Eritrean/Ethiopian, Japanese, Chinese, & more). ************************************ HOLISTIC NUTRITION CONSULTATION :: We offer an engaging body-as-ecosystem lens to nutrition and wellness, to those who desire a bigger picture understanding of themselves & the world -- while maintaining a drive to live & eat well. We root our consultation in deep knowledge & awareness healthy living ecosystems, as well of the food system from which all food is sourced. Meanwhile, we carry a practical understanding of how to establish healthy eating & living patterns inside of hectic or busy lives, without compromising enjoyment. ************************************