Where It Began:

My interest in food started when I was just 12 years old. I remember picking fresh fruits and vegetables with my grandmother in her backyard garden. In those days, most people still grew their own food. I miss those times. I regularly played the role of “sous chef” in the kitchen when my grandmother was preparing dinner. However, one day I asked if I could prepare dinner, and she very proudly obliged. I decided to make spaghetti and meatballs that day, because we had just picked so many wonderful vegetables from the garden. Not to mention, spaghetti and meatballs were one of my favorite meals! At 12, this was the first meal I had ever cooked myself—and I have to say, my homemade meatballs and sauce were a hit! In that moment, I knew this was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. On the same day, the idea of being able to harvest fresh fruits and vegetables planted in the backyard with my own hands, create a meal, and put dinner on the table using all the ingredients that I harvested made me proud. Now that’s the original farm-to-table! Even today, when I think back, I get nostalgic, as I can still smell the aromas and taste the meatballs cooking in my grandmother’s kitchen.

My Background:

My path to the food industry is probably more unorthodox than most. I worked a full career in an entirely different industry, but I always had a burning passion for cooking. I spent 21 years as an Information Technology (IT) professional. For the last 8 years of my tenure in this industry, I served as an Events Program Manager. I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a master’s degree in Software Engineering. A few years back, I was faced with battling a life-threatening illness and lost my Dad, both within a period of a couple of years. When you deal with tragedy, I believe it forces you to reflect and really put your life into perspective. Going through this gave me clarity I had never experienced before. So, I decided it was time to really start living my life to fulfill my dreams! I had previously only thought about a career in the food industry and “toyed” with the idea for several years. But with this newfound clarity, I knew what I had to do.