Born in the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan, Alaska, some of my earliest memories are of our family on the docks watching the local fishermen haul in the world’s best seafood. The docks were a familiar spot for us because my dad ran our small island communities only grocery and my entrepreneurial mom had taken to offering city tours to cruise ship passengers using the family VW van. I suppose food and tourism were engrained in me from my earliest days, though it would take many more years before I married the two into a career. In my younger years I lived just outside of Seattle, Washington, and fell in love with local grown produce such as apples and strawberries. So much so that I relentlessly hassled my parents into buying me strawberry and tomato plants to grow in our backyard. This was before the appeal of growing food in suburban housing developments was as popular as it is today. When we moved to Portland, Maine I discovered lobster and steamers. And as a teen in Los Angeles, California I became a taco and street food enthusiast. Now back home in Seattle, I am always on the hunt for delicious new restaurants, or great recipes I can try at home.

Prior to joining Savor Seattle as the Senior Manager I spent my most recent years working in the Seattle startup scene using powerful data aggregation to make homeownership more joyful. Before that I was traveling the west coast, Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico as an Operations Manager for a boutique-adventure yachting company. Here at Savor Seattle, I work with our incredible team to make exploring Seattle a multi-sensorial and deliciously joyful experience for visitors and locals alike. When I am not at work you can find me dining around town, running along the waterfront, firing up a BBQ at my place in the foodie paradise neighborhood of Ballard, or most often, spoiling my Beagle puppy Patsy at a dog park nearby.

Among everything my late father taught me, there were three things that he instill a love for: theatre, food, and professional wrestling. These three things went on to serve as the anchors for all the insane paths that led me to this city (just a few short months ago) of which I am now proud to call home. Before I go on, I should say the following just for my Mom. You are my everything and continue to teach me every day. This next bit is for Dad. Sorry. I still love your chili and tacos! I digress...

I'm a recent transplant from Santa Cruz, CA with a degree in acting and years of experience working in the world of theatre, food, pro wrestling, and operations management. Life for me needs to have skateboarding, playing basketball, cooking, a bar that knows me by name, podcasts, lucha libre, and water. Tip well, know your server by name, bring back the Super Sonics, and never overcook an egg!

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, the Emerald City has always been a place full of discovery and excitement. I find Seattle culture – the people, places, communities and traditions- authentic and unique. My day trips into the city are adventuresome; like the time I was in a food coma at the Bite of Seattle or when I attempted the 5 lb. Burrito challenge at Taco Del Mar for Cinco De Mayo in 2009…got thru only half way!

My grandmother is the reason why I love food. She hosted numerous potlucks and parties for her friends and community. She understood how food can bring people together, and I loved that. I follow my grandmother’s tradition as a tour guide and host for Savor Seattle. I invite you to come explore the city with me!