Valencia Baker

Introduction: Hello! I'm Valencia Baker - a graduate of the Julia Child and Jacques Pepin Culinary Arts Program, a Food Anthropologist with a Masters in Gastronomy from Boston University, a foodie nerd, a skilled cook, and maybe your new Home Chef. I've learned under James Beard Award-winning and renowned chefs Michael Leviton, Barry Maiden, Chris Fischer, and so many more - not to mention, Jacques Pepin himself. I work for families - big or small - as a home chef or private cook. I specialize in menu prep, shopping, and in-home or delivered meal preparation and service; I prepare all cuisines and can meet all health, wellness, and dietary restriction needs. While I've cooked in busy kitchens and learned from top chefs, my down-to-earth style and culture of cooking were influenced by my time working in kitchens in the countrysides of Rome, BnB's in Santorini, and international student residence homes in Boston. My passion for warming and healing people with healthy comforting and individualized dishes thrived in these spaces. It was in these settings where my no frills, slow food cooking thrived - bold and unique flavor combinations with just a touch of flair were appreciated more than the neurosis of perfectly brunoised parsnip and chiffonade sorrell. With the skills of a sous chef from my culinary school training and restaurant work experience and the passion to nurture through food, I've made the kitchens of my clients' my second home for eight years, and there are many more to follow. Maybe yours is next. Reach me at v a l e n c i a b a k e r 0 0 @ g m a i l . c o m so we can find out and see.