Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. I enjoyed baking when I was young and my first job at 16 was at Prantl's Bakery in Shady Side, PA. I loved the environment, the smells, the beautiful pastries and breads so much that I decided to pursue it as a career. After graduating high school, I attended IUP Academy of Culinary Arts and upon graduation, had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Switzerland. There I honed my skills in European pastries and chocolates and landed my first official job at a new restaurant just outside of Lucerne. Fun Fact: They have since earned their first Michelin Star! When I arrived back in the US in 2011, I started work at world renowned The Inn at Little Washington, working as a pastry cook. After learning all that I could there, and meeting my now husband, we took our next and moved to Southwest Virginia to work at The Palisades Restaurant. We headed the kitchen as Head Chef and Pastry Chef for 4 years. After getting married in the Blue Mountains, we took our next step towards having our own business. Moving to Central Virginia was challenging but once we discovered private-cheffing, we knew we would never go back to the toxic restaurant life. We founded GastroLove, LLC in 2018 and haven't looked back. We are so lucky to form long lasting relationships with clients, have freedom and creative with our food, and customize each event. Not to mention, choosing our schedule and spending more time with family. We really have found our happy place with work and wouldn't change a thing!