Meet Our Chefs!

Chef Cindy

Hello! I’m Cindy, but everyone calls me Chef C. I own a catering company that’s been serving the Bay Area since 2018. I received Commendation as in part of San Mateo County’s Great Plates Delivered Program, in which I delivered 18 nutritious meals per week to older adults who would have otherwise been unable to safely access the food they needed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby protecting the health, safety, and welfare of our most vulnerable San Mateo County residents.

I take pride in making nutritious meals for anyone that loves food! I believe that Vietnamese food is a lot like wine – it's inherently democratic. Although Vietnamese food culture is somewhat influenced by differences in regional topography, you’ll notice that everyone essentially eats the same dishes. For that reason, I’ve created a Vietnamese-Fusion menu that keeps all of us excited and curious.

I source local fresh produce and ingredients to mix with the Vietnamese flavors that are healthy, yummy-tummy and unforgettable! Allow me to nourish you and your family’s body & soul and showcase my interpretation of what I think Vietnamese food is today.

Chef Shelby

From Chef to Culinary Artist, an Oakland native and mother of 2, I'm an advocate for food justice, a culinary strategist, and I make a mean brown butter cornbread!

Grown in a tradition of good eating, my culinary journey has seen me wear many hats. Commanding kitchens around the Bay Area for over a decade as executive chef, program manager, and business owner of A Mothers Touch Catering.  My love of Afro Latin, and American Regional cuisine honor both tradition, and America's diverse food culture. Each dish is meant to create a memorable family feast with elegance and comfort. I take a seasonal approach to all meals and most of my menus are sourced from my family farm, located in the Sacramento Delta. 

Chef Leonardo

I grew up in Tarapoto, San Martin Region, in a small town in the Jungle of Peru. Back home, all our meals were home-cooked, nutritious, and packed with flavors. It is made with our own harvests and ingredients from the nearby farms. The meal is shared with our big group of friends and family over joy, laughter, and the creole warmth . This is the spirit that I grew up with, which inspires me to share our ancestor's tradition with other parts of the world. 

I am the owner of Charapa Aji, my own line of Peruvian Aji sauce. I have also been sharing my passion for cooking in the Bay Area since 2016 through private events and festivals.

Chef Julie

Hi, I'm Julie, a Bay Area native who grew up appreciating the flavors of my family's Italian cooking, and spoiled by the availability of fresh food in California. I have always loved food (eating, really ;) and cooking for friends and family.

When I became obsessed with making the perfect focaccia bread, I drew on my Italian Genovese heritage to develop a high-quality, flavorful, artisanal focaccia bread that rivals the best the Bay Area has to offer. With a discriminating palate and keen attention to quality and detail, the Italian Mama in me is excited to share this delicious, naturally vegan focaccia with you and your family!

I call my bakery La Coccinella, which means Ladybug in Italian, inspired by the round, dimpled bread!

Chef Tali

Hi, I'm Tali, a chef, farmer, and prenatal yoga teacher, who loves to provide nourishment to people in those tender moments of life. Now with my own 6-month-old baby, I know firsthand the importance of wholesome, homemade food as a part of the process of healing and thriving through the ups and downs! 

I built Kitchen Doula to lovingly prepare wholesome, nourishing food using simple recipes and the highest quality ingredients. Although our food is particularly well suited for postpartum and healing, anyone can enjoy our delicious soups, stews, and breakfast items. We cook everything and freeze it immediately so that, when you thaw something, it's like it was just made. Because of this, our food is perfect for stocking your freezer in preparation for a new baby, if you're sick or injured, or just when you have a busy week coming up!

Chef Andrea

Hi, I’m Andrea and I am native of the SF Bay Area! Serving clean, seasonal and tasty food to help nourish you and your family is my passion. I love to cook savory, home style dishes to satisfy your palate. I buy my food from local farmers and markets. All of my dishes are made from scratch with vibrant ingredients for your family to enjoy.  For the last 5 years, I have been a private chef for families on the Peninsula and I'm so excited to be part of the GatherMade community!

Chef Andrew

Hi, Chef Andrew here. I was raised in Austin and moved to SF in 1998. I immersed myself in every farmer's market, pop up and all things foodie which has brought us to my small batch BBQ company, Slow Burn Eats. 

Flavor wise, I take my flavor influences from Central Texas BBQ and Louisiana for main courses. I worked at Pappadeaux in college and learned 'how' to eat. The rich cajun spices and sauces, fresh seafood, and layering of components are in play with my cooks.

I also consider healthiness -  you may see beets, keto friendly candied pecans, and cauliflower incorporated, but, being from Texas, a fried specialty may slip!

Chef Caterina

Hello! I'm Caterina and I have a huge passion for authentic and traditional Italian food. I moved from Italy 6 years ago and in 2018 I decided to open up a service, Sugo, to sell our tasty lasagna, pasta, meatballs and much more to all the pasta lovers in the Bay Area. Sugo means “sauce” and we prepare our sauces with care, using only the best ingredients. The dough of our lasagna is rolled out exactly how my mom and grandmas taught us, respecting the tradition of lasagna served at every family reunion.

All my dishes are made from scratch with fresh and natural ingredients for your family!

Chef Mikki

"We become what we eat.” After many years in the restaurant industry, I began really focusing on cooking clean, delicious, natural, organic, food during the pandemic. I switched from using processed products to natural ones from oils, sugars, vinegars and many other sources. I began to read more about nutrition and talk to experts about its value. After several weeks of cooking and eating more nutritionally focused food - I felt amazing! I told myself that I should share this gift of change in me to other people through my craft: FOOD!

I can't wait to cook for you and your families!

Chefs GeorgeAnn & Steven

We are a "Dream Team" mom & pop couple with over 30 years of experience working in and running 3-4 star restaurants in NYC and The Bay Area. Since 2017 we have combined our passion for cooking and hospitality and been catering personalized events for 10-250 people all over The Bay Area. We named our service Family Meal Catering because of our love of breaking bread with family. We love the meal delivery format that enables everybody to access the highest restaurant-quality meals in their own home every day of the week. We know that you will feel proud serving our meals to your family.

Chef Lindsey

I'm a former NCAA softball player and certified Nutrition Coach, born and raised in the Bay Area. My passion for health and nutrition began when I became a collegiate athlete - I was a starting pitcher on the women’s softball team at the University of Redlands for all four years.

I personally experienced the negative and positive effects of nutrition on performance.  When I took the time to care about what I put into my body, I felt the difference in my level of play. When launching LL’s Kitchen, I set out with the goal to change the way we as a society think about food.  It is undeniable that different foods affect the way we feel.  With granola from LL’s Kitchen, you can feel good about what you’re putting in your body, while simultaneously enjoying delicious food. 

Chef Sheela

Hi, I'm Sheela, owner of Sweet Carotene! I make desserts and sweet treats with nourishing and organic ingredients. You can enjoy desserts and not feel guilty after having them. After exhaustive research, and realizing there are all kinds of additives, flavor enhancers, and unhealthy ingredients even in the so called "best" items on the market, I started baking for my family and friends with the sole purpose of providing clean and healthy treats for my family.

As a certified nutrition coach, I understand the importance of quality ingredients. We are what we eat so shouldn't we eat good quality food including desserts? I wouldn't serve anything we ourselves won't eat. I don't use any refined oils, flavor enhancers, food colors or any artificial ingredients. Over the years, I have perfected my recipes and want you to enjoy these desserts. After trying to balance corporate work and family, I finally quit the tech industry to pursue my passion for baking and making high quality desserts. All my recipes have been taste‑tested and they are guaranteed to satisfy the pickiest eater!

Chef Jonathan

I'm a self-trained chef born and raised in San Mateo, with a huge desire to share my love for food with as many people as possible! I've been in the food industry for 10+ years and used to own a traditional deli, followed by an Asian fusion restaurant in downtown San Mateo. From cooking for my wife and two young children to feeding the neighbors and hosting friends, I enjoy feeding the masses and sharing my passion for food!

I like to create unique spins on recognizable staples by putting my own Asian twist on them, but also enjoy making traditional crowd favorites. I'm excited to join this wonderful community and share my food with you and your families!

Chef Hayden

My love of food had humble beginnings - cooking for my friends and family. What started as weekly Sunday dinners quickly evolved into a professional career. While studying for my masters in music, I found myself more and more consumed by my love of food. From there I started a company focused on the pairing of food and classical music, started working full time in the restaurant industry as a cook, and now spend my time organizing food events, catering parties, and cooking for all of you!

As an SF native, I care deeply about our community and environment. I shop as local and sustainably  as possible, so I can bring the best seasonal ingredients to your table. I am passionate about the craft of cooking so everything on my menus is always homemade (from stocks to hummus to tortillas and more). My food is inspired by California cuisine and global flavors. If you see me at the Clement Street farmers market please say hi! 

Roast Master Arnold

My journey in coffee began more than 35 years ago. A chance meeting with Alfred Peet, the godfather of the specialty coffee industry, led to countless cuppings and roasting sessions under his mentorship, a chain of Spinelli Coffee stores in San Francisco and Singapore and a life-long love affair with coffee. I still take great pleasure in sourcing and blending fine quality coffees and sharing the fruits of my passion with coffee lovers of every  generation. All of LaCoppa coffees are sustainably farmed and ethically cultivated. I am very happy to be a part of theGatherMade family and excited to share my passion for coffee with new friends.

Chef Ben

I have been a caterer for nearly a decade and am excited to share my craft as a home chef, especially for all the busy families who are working from home. I grew up in Virginia eating and cooking wholesome, Southern cuisine, so these influences will be reflected in my menus. I am also a proud dad and know the importance of feeding my family delicious and nutritious meals. Excited to bring my food to your home!

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Chef Ginny

Greetings Peninsula people!  I've lived here for over 30 years, and I love cooking, creating, and putting on parties & celebrations. I have two daughters; one is a middle school teacher in Daly City, and the second just started high school at Summit Prep. Both were born "natural" vegetarians, so I learned to make a lot less meat and a lot more vegetables. 

I care deeply about our community, and the earth, so I work hard to source the BEST and healthiest ingredients I can. Let me help take care of you and your family and I will share some of my best creations with you!

Chef Mary

I love to cook and create! Growing up on the Monterey Peninsula with parents who both loved to cook and entertain, cooking has become a part of who I am. Having spent many years living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I love to put Southwestern flavors into many of my dishes. I love to create recipes of my own by incorporating a variety of global cuisines into a singular dish. I am self-taught cook but am very passionate about my craft; it's what I love to do! I hope you enjoy :)

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Chef Jill

After a career in tech, my post corporate life has been devoted to cooking! I have been a Chef/Instructor/ Caterer for Private Events at Sur La Table, Sunset Magazine, Boys & Girls Club, Eastside Academy and Common Threads. The last 10 years I have been a Private Chef for families on the Peninsula. I was born and raised in Palo Alto but have been fortunate to study, work and travel the globe. I enjoy cooking fresh, seasonal, tasty meals for busy families!

Chef Andrea

I started baking and making in my young adolescent years. While my family sat down for movie nights I would watch from the kitchen while I learned how to turn a simple box brownie mix into something lovely and delicious. My young love for baking evolved into designing and making grazing platters and bites for events and testing flavor profiles on my friends any chance I get. 

I like to describe myself as an Elementary Teacher by day and a cook by night. I have a passion for academia and a love for making :)

I believe that the food we eat should taste and look vibrant and I’m elated I get the chance to create that experience for you!