bay area chefs
Erika is co-owner and Head Chef at The Heirloom Chef. She is passionate about women’s health, social and earth justice, and prayer. She spent over 12 years championing worker’s rights across the county as a labor union organizer early in her career. Erika spent years studying and building community traveling around the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East, which has fueled her love of food and teaching her daughter about different cultures and traditions. Over the past ten years, she has worked as a chef and a doula and studied with fellow artists, herbalists, and healers to understand the importance of food as medicine and the best foods to help women throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
Chef Anna is a personal chef and professional dancer, passionate about creating food that brings people together. Every menu she makes tells a story and transports her clients on an experiential journey that highlights the joy of eating. She brings her love of local organic seasonal produce, compassionately raised sustainable meats, and wild seafood to every service.
Chef Dannon is committed to helping clients heal through food. Inspired by her mother’s culinary talent, she embarked on a journey that led her to discover the transformative power of nutrition. She has a background in culinary arts and holistic nutrition which is why she caters to clients with dietary needs, including allergy-friendly diets and postpartum clients. Her approach to the kitchen is infused with creativity and a desire to enjoy life, inspired by her two young daughters.
Originally from Brazil, Chef Jacquelyne has called the Bay Area home for the last 5 years. She loves living here for its diverse food, culture, and locations. Chef Jackie has been a personal chef for the past 8 years and is passionate about the message that food brings, creating memories, connecting people, histories and different generations through recipes, ingredients and traditions. In her spare time she enjoys travelling so that she can discover new places, flavors and smells.
Chef Jeanelle has been in the culinary world since early childhood coming from a background of Culinarians and spending summers in Argentina learning as much as she could from her Grandparents. After completing school, she has made her passion for food into a career and has worked in various settings, from a personal chef to a corporate sous chef. She is detail-oriented and strives to give her clients an enjoyable experience.
Chef Miriam graduated valedictorian of her class from the Natural Chef Training Program at Bauman College, where she learned to cook for special diets including gluten-free, dairy-free, AIP, and paleo. Nutritionally focused food work has been her passion for over ten years. Miriam loves staying connected to farms, providing food for her neighbors, and supporting the local food supply chain.
Chef Natalie has over ten years of culinary experience and top honors from the Cordon Bleu in LA. While she can tout high-profile clients in Bel Air, CA, and the official brownie chef of the Bliss Spa in Hollywood on her resume, she credits her role as a mom of three as the most rigorous training for her current position. Natalie is famous for her family’s food mantra “…please all of our palates, be nutritionally dense, and be aesthetically pleasing…”
Chef Paula’s culinary journey began long before her professional debut in 2007, rooted in memories of assisting her father in the kitchen as a child. With experience spanning hotels, restaurants, and catering companies, she now curates her own pop-up, Paeng, celebrating her heritage through innovative dishes. Based in the Bay Area, she draws inspiration from its diverse cultures and bountiful produce. Paula is deeply influenced by WOC chefs revolutionizing the industry, promoting inclusivity, and fostering a healthy work-life balance.
Chef Sofiya’s Ukrainian and California roots helped shape her specialty in Ukrainian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Italian-inspired cuisine. Her passion for food began at a young age spending time in the kitchen with her grand- and great-grandmother. Working with food is her love language, and believes it is a beautiful way to bring people closer together. When she’s not in the kitchen, you can find Sofiya hiking, traveling, and spending quality time with her son and partner.
Chef Toni has been a professional chef passionate about her art for over 10 years. She received her culinary degree from the Art Institute of California and landed her first cooking job at Levi Stadium. Her attention to detail and kind nature makes her a perfect fit for families with special dietary needs. Chef Toni loves using fresh seasonal ingredients to create bold and delicious comfort foods.
Chef Victor Aguilera is an award-winning chef and passionate about fine dining, traditional Venezuelan cuisine, and cannabis infusions. The renowned Latin chef brings a decade of experience and creates elevated cuisine through private and hosted events. He has made appearances in Chopped 420, GMA, Telemundo, and ABC News, and his work has been recognized by EATER and INFATUATION.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Diane has worked in administration in the arts and culinary fields for her entire career. As a vegetarian, she appreciates being a part of a team that focuses on health-conscious eating and sustainable living. She is a level one Sommelier and enjoys discovering new wines at local wine tastings and visiting wineries during her travels. In her free time, she loves to spend her time outdoors, hiking local trails and kayaking.
River was born and raised on Maui but now calls Las Vegas home. She will often be the very first person you may talk to at The Heirloom Chef. She enjoys reading, watching Spanish TV, fishing and surfing. Her favorite holiday to host is Thanksgiving because she can have her guests bring the desserts.