My love for food has deep roots. I grew up outside of Philadelphia in a multicultural town. My mom was single, raising my two brothers and me on her own, and as they say, it takes a village. Many of our meals came from the beautiful people and cultures who lived around us. Homemade Korean kimchi from our neighbors next door, smoked salmon from my Pop Pop Sonny’s deli and Sunday afternoon Indian while my mom chanted Hare Krishna. To be honest, I think Sundays were really just for the free meal.

My mom was constantly covered in flour, hovering over her stove, making meals right back for all. That’s what everybody did. We made meals for each other.

I became a Holistic Chef because it married my two passions: cooking and living a healthy lifestyle. I think it’s important to be aware of what you’re putting in your body. It needs to be healthy and delicious.

When I was pregnant with our first daughter, I was on bedrest for two months and not able to cook. We didn’t live near family so we relied on take-out. The occasional home-cooked meal that a friend brought over meant the world to me. I literally cried every single time. I didn’t care how good it was, you could just taste the love.

And that’s why, when I was invited to be a part of the Caring Committee to cook for Gan Elohim families, I was all in. I’m honored to provide that experience to celebrate a new baby, mourn the passing of a loved one, or deliver extra TLC from the community. It’s been four years now, but each time it still warms my heart just as much knowing Gan Elohim families are receiving love and comfort through my food.