MY STORY

In 1993, after being in college part time for 3 years, I moved to Atlanta to attend Georgia State and become a physical therapist. 

 

I had to get a job, of course, to help pay my way even though my parents were letting me live with them rent free. There was a brand new Winn Dixie grocery store close by and they had a state of the art deli and bakery. I got a job as a deli assistant and went to work.

 

There were two chefs at this deli and I couldn't help but admire their stark white jackets and tall paper hats. I thought they looked cool! 

As with any grocery store, help was hard to come by and people would inevitably call out or be needed in another area.

 

One day, instead of just working the counter and slicing meat, one of the chefs asked me to make some of the prepared salads that we had in the case. They handed me a couple of recipes and I went to work. I had never done anything like that, and I enjoyed it mixing all the ingredients together, tasting, seasoning...but then I got to bowl it up and garnish it and place it in the case. The first time someone asked for a sample of a salad that I had made and loved it, I was hooked. I wanted to make people happy with food! 

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I took my mom out to eat and told her that I didn't want to go to Georgia State, I wanted to go to culinary school. And so the adventure began! I've been a chef at various restaurants, catering businesses, country clubs and resorts and have also taught foods and culinary arts for the past 13 years in public school. One thing that never changed: I love to make people happy with food! So, with a "mustard seed" of faith, I'm starting this new adventure and can not wait to share my love of food with my community!