Having descended from a long line of southern female cooks and learning their craft and mysteries while growing up in Alexandria, Va; I never imagined the career I would enjoy in the simple act of feeding, development of others and entertaining people. Arriving in New York to originally model, I was quickly swept into its legendary dining scene. My early training and work ethic moved me quickly up the ladder at some of the city’s most celebrated establishments: Windows on the World, La Colombe D’Or, and Aquavit are among the places where I have occupied management positions while creating dining magic for patrons on a nightly basis. As director of special events for B. Smith’s, I cultivated and executed large-budget events for many celebrity clients including Harpo Communications. The realities of life led me into positions which offered more family friendly schedules. As director of training for Hale and Hearty Soups, I set new standards for the expeditious and enjoyable delivery of a high-quality product by designing talent development paradigms that are in use to this day. As the district manager for Timothy’s World Coffees, I assisted with the re- launching of their brand in New York and shepherded the organization through the aftermath of 9/11. I followed in the footsteps of my Grandmother Martha by opening my own catering firm, The Gourmet Angel. Becoming one of Brooklyn’s best-known catering brands, TGA has created dining experiences for such notable clients as fine artist, Leroy Campbell, The Brooklyn Nets, and West Gate Resorts. I also explored my Grandma Phoebe’s path as a restaurateur by opening Solomon’s Porch in the burgeoning community of Bedford-Stuyvesant.Later experiences include directly supervising the relaunch and re-brand of the iconic Tasti d’Lite frozen dessert line on behalf of a private-equity firm. The Gourmet Angel brand was also expanded into consulting, guiding several NYC restaurant properties to successful launch.