Exploring our relationship with food

How cooking became my passion

I am not a cook with fancy credentials or diplomas. I was inspired to learn to cook from passionate people around me who shared with me their love of food and cooking. Now it is my joy to pay that forward by inspiring you and your loved ones to learn to enjoy cooking and eating together.

Learning to cook and nourish ourselves and our households can feel overwhelming, especially if you did not grow up in the kitchen. Part of alleviating that burden is learning to share the kitchen with those you love most and to create a space where the whole family can participate. Through kitchen tricks, tips, and strategies, I promise that you will discover the pleasure and the joy in cooking - and especially in eating!

I grew up with a single mom working full-time, and we ate quick and simple meals during our busy weeks. On the weekends, we would spend leisurely time together in the kitchen where we connected and chatted and laughed and ate together. The kitchen was a joyful place. In those early days, when counters were tall and I was short, I would kneel on an orange kitchen stool to help my mom. That stool has been in every adult kitchen I’ve ever had, and I cherish its presence because it is a reminder of the joy I felt being with my mom in the kitchen.

Cooking taught me how to be present

When I was in my 20’s I lived, worked, and studied in Spain, France, and Italy. During those years abroad I learned to deeply appreciate good food and classic cooking, but what I most cherished was the ease and comfort of sharing time with friends, not rushing, listening, and being present in the moment. I savored long meals around the table with multiple courses and learned so much from exploring the beautiful markets with the freshest and most gorgeous fruits and vegetables, meats, seafood, and artisan delicacies. 

In my 30s I moved to a rural home, where the nearest small towns didn’t have the breadth and variety of products that I had become accustomed to enjoying in larger metropolitan areas. That’s when I decided in earnest to apply myself to learning how to make those things myself. Living in a rural area, where the grocery store was an hour away, compelled me to learn about how to maximize my freezer and pantry, and how to create a cache of food that would sustain us between grocery store runs. The freezer took on a whole new meaning when I could make a huge pot of soup and then freeze it. Or when I could buy chicken in bulk on sale and then freeze it in smaller packages for a later date.

I subscribed to every cooking magazine on the market at the time. When they would arrive, I poured over them and made a list of the recipes I wanted to cook that month and would force myself to choose ones that stretched my capabilities. Also, each season, I would decide on a technique or dish that I wanted to master. If I chose soup, I would learn all I could about soups through hands-on practice, checking out cookbooks from the library, and talking to people, and friends and family who joyfully agreed to be taste testers.  

Opening a restaurant: The next step on my journey

In 2011, I put a massive dream into action and I opened Red Reina Cuisine and Delicatessen, in Walla Walla, WA. From my little storefront on Main St., I began sharing my love of food and community with a broader audience. From our kitchen, the formidable Red Reina team created delicious sandwiches, salads, and soups six days a week and catered unforgettable feasts for our customers.

When I closed the restaurant, I decided to pour my energy into the catering side of Red Reina and shared my passion for creating unforgettable meals for brides, graduates, new moms, and retirees, among many others. Through my catering, I became increasingly aware of the power of food to build and sustain community. I wasn’t just making a meal, I was creating an experience, a feeling, a memory. I told my clients that I wanted the food I made for them to be as unforgettable as the event itself. I never had prefab menus and cookie-cutter options because each event was as unique as the moment itself. I still deeply believe in the unique and singular quality of each event - from a family meal to a birthday party, to food at a memorial service, food is a uniting factor that creates an indelible connection. 

Working with young people

In 2018, I took my passion for food in a completely new direction, when I became the Food Program Director at a charter school for 6-8 graders. Years earlier, I had been invited to participate as a guest chef in the schools’ program through Walla Walla Valley Farm to School. After that experience, I became a passionate advocate for school lunch reform. At the charter school, we sourced ingredients from local producers and had a mostly zero-waste kitchen. The students helped in the kitchen and took cooking classes. Mostly they looked forward to our flavorful, seasonal, and delicious meals. And the staff did too!  

Even though the school has now closed, my passion for inspiring young people to learn to enjoy fresh, healthy, and natural foods is more prominent than ever. My highest goal is to inspire young people to understand the impact these foods have on their overall health and happiness and to inspire them to embrace these foods in their youth and throughout their lives.

Forming connections with food

I absolutely adore sharing my love of healthy food with eager cooks of all ages. I love surprising people, and I love seeing their a-ha moments as they learn new skills and realize their own capabilities.

Whether as a restauranteur, through my catering, or in the school cafeteria, I love the easy conversation and the connections that happen around a table. How many times has a meal been the context for falling in love, celebrating life’s significant moments, and sharing laughter with those we love most? These most precious moments in our lives are mostly always accompanied by food. Food is at the heart of our lives. It is literally essential for our survival. Let’s make some memories and have some fun! I look forward to having you join me in the kitchen!