About 15 years ago, I began to feel there was something missing from my meticulously planned life. That something was passion—and, pastry! I completed the Pastry Chef program at Tante Marie’s Cooking School in San Francisco while maintaining my full-time marketing job, then quit and started my own personal chef service, Vanilla Bean Cuisine, in 2006.
I’ve spent over 10 years cooking weekly meals for busy families, special-occasion dinners for romantic couples, and fun party foods for celebratory gatherings. It’s been a crash course in what people like to eat, but also in how food brings people together. Whether it’s a weeknight family meal at the kitchen table or a Super Bowl Party for friends and neighbors, we build connections and relationships as we eat together.
And yet, with our busy schedules and lives, fewer people cook regularly than ever before, let alone entertain. Here I share my favorite recipes—food that nourishes from the inside out and is easy enough to pull together on a weeknight, and elegant food that feels special enough to entertain family and friends but doesn’t require long hours in the kitchen. I try to eat and cook healthy, using fresh seasonal ingredients and minimal processed foods—though a woman cannot live without a few desserts and cocktails as well!
Currently I am based in Paris, where I am exploring French cuisine and culture. I’m inspired by French food every day, and love putting a French spin on my favorite recipes (and an American spin on French recipes!).
So sit down, take a deep breath, and dive in. Find a recipe that piques your fancy and give it a try. Buy the best quality ingredients you can afford. Let go of your Pinterest fantasies of perfection and just cook. Invite your family and friends to join you around the table. This is where the magic is. ❤️
Contact Me
Please feel free to comment on my blog posts or email me with any recipe questions using the contact form below. You can also use the form to contact me regarding sponsorships or food photography. Thanks!