A LITTLE ABOUT ME

I've been cooking since age 12 and catered for my first party at 14. My Dad studied with James Beard and made me his helper, he loved telling people how I once washed lettuce with hot water. Food is my art, and I feel lucky to have a job I love, creating meals that make people feel happy and nurtured is beyond rewarding. 

I attended the French Culinary Institute in NYC. My first job was at Brooklyn's legendary restaurant Gage and Tollner working for Chef Edna Lewis, she was doing farm-to-table back in 1989 before it was "a thing". I went on to work for Chef Brendan Walsh of Arizona 206 fame, and then Steven Levine from the incredible Guilted Giraffe. I eventually opened my own restaurant in Brooklyn called New City Cafe, we were rated by Zagat as one of NYC's top 50 cafes; then a second Restaurant called New City Bar and Grill.

I eventually took time off, to work on a farm, and learn more about where food came from. I landed here in the Catskills and I never left. Nothing makes me happier than picking herbs or vegetables from my little farm for clients. I also own and operate Phoenicia honey co, we make infused honey, and natural skin care products and grow flowers.