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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!

A team of culinary artists, wearing black shirts, standing together and holding hands for a group photo.
Photo of Vanessa Silva, FOUNDER, CEO & CHEF INSTRUCTOR.

Vanessa Silva (she/her)

CEO & FOunder, Lead Chef

teaching style:

inspiring, holistic, spirited, innovative, playful

Vanessa’s food journey began in her grandmother’s kitchen in Brazil, where she learned to make aioli and hand-roll gnocchi with love.

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Photo of Jessie Welsh, VP of Events and Operations

Jessie Welsh (she/her)

VP of Events and Operations

teaching style:

detailed, personable, sincere, supportive

Jessie’s guiding principle is simple: do impactful work with good people — and have a little fun along the way.

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Photo of Alicia Faris, Director of Education.

Alicia Faris (she/her)

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, Lead Chef

teaching style:

holistic, optimistic, lively, restaurant-style teaching methods

Alicia believes the best medicine is time spent cooking and sharing nourishing meals, a passion sparked by her grandmother’s humble southern biscuits.

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Photo of Rachel Gray, Events Manager and Chef Instructor.

Gina Bacigalupi (she/her)

Education Coordinator

teaching style:

thoughtful, down-to-earth, genuine, encouraging

Gina’s guiding principle is simple: find joy in every part of the food journey — from growing to cooking to sharing.

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Photo of Rachel Gray, Events Manager and Chef Instructor.

Angela Guidici (she/her)

Events Coordinator

teaching style:

laid-back, warm, encouraging, community-minded

Angela grew up baking alongside her mom and grandma, where she discovered the joy of creating in the kitchen and sharing it with others.

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Photo of Rachel Gray, Events Manager and Chef Instructor.

Radu Judele (he/him)

Fractional CMO

Radu brings a love of operations, strategy, and of course, coffee to everything he does at Culinary Artistas.

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Photo of Catherine Fallis, Master Sommelier.

Chef Ellen (they/them)

Lead Chef & Kitchen Ops Manager

teaching style:

lively, fun, inclusive, restaurant-style teaching

Ellen blends fine dining chops with a love for teaching kids, making every class full of energy, laughter, and discovery in the kitchen.

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Photo of Catherine Fallis, Master Sommelier.

Chef Lorraine (she/her)

Corporate Event Chef

teaching style:

detailed, personable, encouraging, thorough

Lorraine has loved cooking since childhood, when she read cookbooks like novels and signed up for every class she could find.

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Photo of Catherine Fallis, Master Sommelier.

Chef Ansarys (she/her)

Kids Party Chef

teaching style:

laid-back, adaptable, empowering, serene

Ansarys spent 15 years as a pastry chef before finding her sweet spot in teaching, especially with older kids who love to experiment.

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Photo of Catherine Fallis, Master Sommelier.

Chef Kayla (she/her)

Kids Party Chef

teaching style:

welcoming, positive, warm, engaging

Kayla has been passionate about food since her first restaurant job in high school, and she’s been cooking with heart ever since.

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