A Seattle native, I’ve performed in over 50 local productions, 3 original one man shows and several notable regional commercials. To supplement my joy of acting, I was a server and bartender for 15 years. It was this exposure to chefs, food, wine, beer, and craft cocktails that opened my palate and gave me an insatiable curiosity to explore “the finer things.” Being a food tour guide feels like the perfect marriage between my two backgrounds and I’m constantly “researching” by eating out, and regularly enjoy Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, French, Italian, Ethiopian and Indian cuisine, as well as a good burger and pizza.

I also enjoy travel, tennis, chess, constant book-reading and film-watching, having a cat on my lap, and dancing around my well-decorated living room with my cordless headphones to my substantial music collection.

I’ve been eating food for about as long as I can remember, so I have a lot of experience, but something really clicked in college when I began to explore new tastes, flavors, and cuisines—some of which I’d never even heard of before. I tend to lose track of the names of the dishes I try because often I’m asking my server for suggestions rather than looking at a menu. I’ve never gotten over the thrill and I love sharing it with as many people as possible.

In addition to leading tours with Savor Seattle, I’m an actor and writer with various theaters around the region as well as an improviser with Jet City Improv. ENOUGH TALK, LET’S EAT!

I was born in Texas, where I cut my teeth in acting with the Texas Shakespeare Festival. I attended Kilgore College, where I was active in the Drama Department, and began leading tours for them throughout the semester. I hold a Bachelor's and Master's in Drama from Texas Woman's University where I was able to explore my love of travel. Living in Prague, Dublin, and New York City, I found a huge pleasure in food and travel. I performed street theatre in Prague, and learned from Modern Dance Masters, Puppeteers, and black light specialists. In Dublin, I worked with New Playwrights, who explored how to create drama from movement to stage.

Being overseas for that long, made my appetite wet for culture and history. I ended up back in Dallas, founding and artistic directing Fight Boy Theatre, a guerrilla theatre experience that promoted new work and intersectionality of inclusion in re-examining old works. My passion changed, I wanted a new adventure, and honestly, it was time to escape the heat. I packed my bags, and my inner nerd, and traveled to see Mountains, Gandolf! in Seattle, WA. I have reexamined what it means to be a performer, and am constantly looking for ways of improving my theatre, art, and movement here in the heart of Seattle's First Hill, Capitol Hill, and Chinatown. I currently work with many in the Seattle Burlesque Community, my main role as Seattle's Majority Whip of Burlesque is to work on raising funds for the Legends of Burlesque to tell their stories of a feminist art form birth from the Mob. Between last year and this year I raised over $20,000 with the help of the community. Through my life I have made the best friends, and we have a rule that we must always go to a restaurant that at least one of us has never tried. I have a pallet that cannot be satiated when it comes to food. Maybe it was my father who grew up in Venezula that prepared empanada's that punch power into your mouth. Perhaps it was my mother who was always making her crawfish ettouffee, or classic gumbo from her Louisiana roots. Either way, I love food, cooking it and talking about it. I look forward to breaking bread with you on our tours.

Originally from New York, I found myself driving towards Seattle with friends in 2005 and have been taking in all the good stuff that this city has to offer ever since. Having so many hidden gems of the edible and artistic variety surrounded by the most gorgeous backdrop, Seattle has been an easy city to fall in love with. How can you miss when there's just an embarrassment of beaches and theaters and dive bars and restaurants and neighborhoods and everything else? 

Most of my time is happily spent playing in the artistic sandbox that is Seattle's theater scene as an actor, director, and fight choreographer. My love of food is legend. In my mind, it is the highest of crimes to leave food on the plate and I will happily help you clear yours. If I received 3 wishes from a genie in a lamp, you can bet that I'd be walking away with unlimited eggs, unlimited steak, and unlimited cheesecake. 

I’m a Seattle native, proud to call this city my hometown (although my heart’s hometown is that other green rainy burg, Dublin, Ireland; there might be a pattern here). I enjoy exploring my city, sharing new discoveries with others, and of course, feeding people! I love food of all kinds–seriously, I could eat food, like, everyday–and I’ll try anything put in front of me at least once. Except celery, no thank you. My favorites include goat cheese, fresh berries, anything from the grill, tacos, chocolate, and avocados for days – plus always a cuppa tea in the morning.

When I’m not telling stories about history and food on a tour, I am on stage or producing shows with several local theater companies, reading too many novels at the same time, and trying to make friends with every single dog I see.

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!

I was born and raised in this beautiful city and cannot imagine living anywhere else. I LOVE FOOD – eating it, cooking it, and talking about it. When not guiding tours, I can be found immersed in the world of theater as a director, teaching artist, performer, and producer.

Favorite summer activity: acquire a box of Yakima peaches and figure out how to use them up before they go bad. So far, peach marmalade is one of the best solutions I’ve come up with, second only to eating 5-6 peaches a day.

Growing up in the gorgeous Seattle area has allowed me to enjoy the amazing and equally diverse food scene since I was a child. It's because of this upbringing that I have such a hard time not stopping off for a bite to eat every time I'm in our beautiful Pike Place Market! Having worked for over 7 years in private luxury travel, I was able to plan, coordinate and execute the most luxurious trips for clients all over the world. Because of this, I am able to deeply understand the importance of a quality guide and produce an enriching experience. As a Gourmet Food Tour guide, I want to show guests what it means to be gourmet in Seattle and why as Seattleites we are so lucky to live here and why the food here is so darn good!

When I'm not stuffing my face with sweet treats and savory eats you can find me traveling the world, getting exercise in the great outdoors, modeling for Zulily or having a movie night in with my adopted fluffy cat Norman.

I have been changing lives with Savor Seattle for six years now. As self-professed history nerd trapped in a foodie’s body, I have made it my mission is to cultivate and plumb the depths of Seattle’s 150-year development. Naturally, I am always eager to share my culino-historic findings with anybody who dares show even the slightest interest. My time with Savor Seattle has afforded me the opportunity to take that latent passion for history and food to a whole new, civic-wide level. Be it the history and development of Seattle’s gourmet scene, or the global diaspora of chocolate in the 16th and 17th centuries, my insatiable appetite for history is rivaled only by a deep and undying love of sushi. And pizza. And roast lamb. And dark chocolate. And barbecue ribs. And tacos. And margaritas. And scotch. And absinthe.

For the last year, I have stepped into the role of Tour Guide Manager. My new challenge is turning my experience inwards, and pushing my team to ever greater heights. I take great pride in being an active participant in the social force that is Savor Seattle in particular, and culinary tourism in general. Come take a tour, and your life will never be the same!

I’m on my third year of tour guiding, my fifth year of living in Seattle, and my twenty-fourth year of appreciating delicious foods. Originally from southern Oregon, I moved to Seattle to get a taste for adventure. Literally. I love exploring strange dishes, fascinating food cultures, and sending my taste buds on a whirlwind of culinary exploration.

As a graduate of Cornish College of the Arts, I spend my days tour guiding, acting, and/or directing. You can usually see me performing Shakespeare on Bainbridge Island or directing at the Whidbey Children's Theater. On my days off, you'll find me geeking out about chocolate, anime, or video games. Keelah Se'lai.