My connection to the Slow Food movement spans years, but it was Slow Food Denver’s Seed to Plate program that truly drew me in. I wanted to help children discover the simple joy of fresh food and build lifelong cooking skills. Starting as a classroom instructor, nothing matched the joy of watching a student transform from a quiet, passive observer into an eager cook asking for seconds. That passion led me to join the team full-time in June 2025. My journey with food began with classical training at the International Culinary Center in NYC, followed by working line-cook shifts at an upscale neighborhood restaurant and spending over six years as a food stylist at Food Network. Early on, I also discovered the power of food education while volunteering in kitchen classrooms with the Edible Schoolyard. Before stepping into the culinary world, I worked in investment management, specializing in strategic marketing, fundraising, and relationship building – skills I now bring to growing Slow Food Denver’s impact and connecting local farmers, purveyors, and restaurants through our Snail of Approval program. Since moving to Colorado, I’ve also worked as a recipe developer and co-authored a cookbook. Outside of Slow Food, you’ll usually find me hiking, skiing, or spending time on the water