I am a self-proclaimed “food evangelist.” This translates into a huge love of eating, shopping for, and cooking, FOOD. I grew up working in my family’s restaurants and countless others. After graduating from the Wharton School, I moved to Chicago to work in Brand Management at Quaker Oats. Eleven years ago I was drawn to the city of Seattle, where I’ve never been happier to be so close to fresh seafood, local wine, and artisan cheese.

In my spare time, I enjoy giggling with my two kiddos, traveling, working out in HIIT classes, and being outside year-round. My favorite foods include: tacos, sushi, coffee, eggs, and raw oysters. Americans would be a whole lot healthier if vegetables tasted like bacon. There are few things I won’t eat…and durian is one of them.

I currently serve on the Visit Seattle Board and am a member of the Seattle chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. Historic awards include: Puget Sound Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40, Seattle Tourism Ambassador, and Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year Finalist. I am available for speaking and media engagements on topics such as: entrepreneurship, culinary tourism, scaling a business, economic benefits of small businesses, and female leadership.

Two common threads throughout my life are the love of people and the love of a good experience. When the two are combined, it’s these moments that make me take a step back breathe in deep and remember just how good life is.

Originally from Arkansas, I moved to Seattle after graduating from the University of Houston. My career has been spent connecting people, visitors and locals alike, to the amazing area we live in. From working in a luxury hotel to being a small business owner to working at Savor Seattle all have been centered on people and experiences.

Side note: Please let me know if you ever need a recommendation on what to do or where to go. 

Much to my husband’s delight my personal life revolves around food. What new recipe or ingredient can I play with? What new restaurant can we experience? Who can we have over for dinner? What hidden gems can I find in small local towns. Doing my best to stay forever curious and laughing as much as I can.

Born and raised in the eastside suburbs of Seattle, I have always been proud to be from the Pacific Northwest. The funny thing is, I had to move away from home for a while to really understand that. I studied musical theatre in college and with stars in my eyes moved to New York City after graduating. It is there that I became a professional foodie! For six years I led food tours of Greenwich Village. All along, my heart was home in the Northwest, so two years ago I made the move back to Seattle.

There are few things I miss about New York, but I do find myself missing my Greenwich Village community. I would walk down Bleecker Street in the morning before my tour and I felt like “Belle” in the opening of Beauty and the Beast, waving to the butcher and the baker. I know I am comparing my life to a Disney movie, but that really is the way it was. I have rediscovered that in Pike Place Market, where the motto is “Meet the Producer.” Today, I am thrilled to work as a food tour guide again, but this time in my favorite city!

I'm "originally" from Montana, in the sense that I've been there since I was four. But after enough time in the woods and the wilds, I decided to tackle a somewhat more refined bit of nature - Seattle. The Emerald City has been my home now for a couple of years, and is so diverse in its brews, its eats, and its activities. Finally getting to eat something beyond burgers has been a delight in-and-of-itself, and I love getting to explore the variety of cuisines in the area. I also get to work in Pike Place Market as a barista, which lets me make friends with everyone there and learn the ins and outs of Seattle's iconic beating heart. When I'm not eating or hitting up food wagons at Seattle's various breweries, I love to drag my dog out for hikes or just lounge in the sun with the pup and my girlfriend.