Born and raised in Colorado, I grew up passionate about many things. However, the one constant from a very young age is my love for amazing food. As a small child, my parents would have to protect their plates from my tiny hands, around unexpected foods a toddler will not typically eat – sushi, soft-shelled crab, even fried alligator.

My love for unique and delicious eats only grew as I got older. By the time I was 8 years old, I was creating and cooking my own recipes. Nothing extraordinary (yet!), but still unique and delicious (my family still asks me to make my “ravioli lasagna”).

After high school, I spent some time in San Francisco.  As any foodie would, I ate my way through the city and was exposed to many new types of cuisine - Latin American, Korean, Coastal Mexican – and my imagination around the possible began to expand.

When the opportunity arose to join the kitchen team at Footers Catering, a local and well-renowned catering company, I jumped at the chance. I soaked up everything I could from all the amazing chefs I worked under. Soon I realized I needed to get restaurant experience, so I picked up a second job at Ace Eat Serve - a modern Asian-fusion spot with a casual dining setting but exquisite eats. Ace was a great place for me to quickly explore new flavors, cooking techniques, and gain general industry knowledge.

Following my time at Ace, I had the amazing opportunity of assisting in the opening of a brand new Mexican restaurant, Perdida Wash Park, as the Lead Prep Chef. Once again, I was able to expand upon my knowledge and techniques. From there, I went to Local Jones, a French-American restaurant at the Halcyon Hotel in Cherry Creek. Here I added techniques and skills tied to French cuisine.  This is also when I realized that while I still loved being a Chef, I was missing one key aspect- the ability to create.

In my search for the chance to create, I returned to Footers as a Tasting Chef. Here I’ve had more variety in what I can create, and an ability to have a direct connection to the people who are tasting my creations.

This is when knew I had found my calling- creating a special, memorable experience, and watching the happiness my creations bring to those who try them.  Thus, the launch of Salt & Burrow!