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Meet the Team

We are chefs, educators, event designers, and project managers that work together to plan and deliver exceptional culinary experiences for children, families, and corporate teams. Our classes are built upon our love of food, passion for cooking, and our desire to make every event or learning experience a celebration. More than anything, we’re a community of people who love working together. 


Join us in the kitchen!

Vanessa Silva

FOUNDER, CEO & CHEF INSTRUCTOR

teaching style:

passionate, spirited, innovative, entertaining, playful

Vanessa’s involvement with food started in her grandmother’s kitchen in Brazil, making aioli and shaping gnocchi by hand. From this early inspiration, she began a journey of food education and travel.

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Jessie Welsh

VP of Events and Operations

teaching style:

detailed, personable, sincere, supportive

Jessie’s guiding principle is doing impactful work with good people. She blends creativity, critical thinking, and process to design unique and memorable client experiences. 

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Alicia Faris

HEAD CHEF & DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

teaching style:

holistic, optimistic, lively, restaurant-style teaching methods

Alicia is a holistic nutritionist and culinary educator who finds time spent cooking and sharing nourishing meals the best kind of medicine. 

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Renee Frojo

Director of Marketing

Renee loves hearing people’s stories — and kitchen stories are her favorite. While she has Southern roots, Renee spent her first formative years in Mexico. As a result, her first word was “mas” and she’d  take a bowl of beans & rice over grits any day.

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Darren Footé

BizOps MANAGER & CULINARY DEVELOPER

teaching style:

competent, detailed, humorous, restaurant-style teaching

Darren is a passionate person inside and outside of the kitchen. His love and respect of food began in his childhood growing up on a farm in north Idaho.

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Rachel Gray

EVENTS MANAGER & CHEF INSTRUCTOR

teaching style:

fun, upbeat, encouraging

Did you grow up dreaming of being a chef? Well, so did Rachel! Her collegiate path led her to food and catering communities in San Francisco.

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Eliza Martin

CHEF INSTRUCTOR for SPECIALTY COMPETITIONS

teaching style:

dedicated, resourceful, enthusiastic, patient, intuitive, constructive, caring

Have you seen the Food Network’s Chopped? Well, Chef Eliza is a Chopped Champion! Eliza has over 10 years of experience working in restaurants all over the country.

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Jonah

EVENTS INTERN & CHEF INSTRUCTOR

teaching style:

patient, calm, supportive, relaxed

Jonah is a high school student who has a deep interest in food, nutrition, wellness, and overall health.

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Catherine Fallis

MASTER SOMMELIER

Master Sommelier, Catherine Fallis, is the founder of Planet Grape® LLC, a wine consulting firm providing content, reviews, corporate & private tastings, restaurant wine program development, and speaking services.

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