Over the years, I turned that love into a lifelong pursuit. I’ve worked in a handful of bustling LA restaurants, each one teaching me something new. I learned speed on the line, precision with a knife, and patience with dough. But I’ve always felt most at home when I’m cooking for everyday folks. Friends, neighbors, or someone just discovering the joy of making their first homemade soup. That’s why I share my story and recipes with home cooks like you. I believe great food doesn’t need to be complicated or intimidating. It just needs to be made with intention and a little curiosity.

I’ve had my fair share of flops. Burned sauces, collapsed cakes, dishes that never quite came together. But those failures always ended up teaching me something valuable. I like to think the kitchen is one of the few places where messing up is part of the fun. You laugh, you adjust, and you try again, maybe with a pinch more salt or a little less heat. That willingness to play and learn is what keeps me passionate after all these years.

These days, my kitchen philosophy is simple. Cook with what you have, make it colorful, and never be afraid to improvise. I love exploring LA’s farmers’ markets, where I find everything from perfect avocados to spices I’ve never heard of. I bring those discoveries home, tinker with them, and figure out ways to make them approachable for the home kitchen. To me, there’s nothing better than helping someone realize they can make a dish they once thought was out of their league.

So here I am, sharing my journey with you. Not as a chef locked away in a professional kitchen, but as someone who believes food belongs in the hands of everyone who loves it. If you ever doubt yourself in the kitchen, remember that every great cook started with burnt toast and broken eggs. What matters is that you keep cooking, keep tasting, and keep sharing. That’s the spirit I live by, and I hope you’ll join me in it.