Melbourne-based private chef
Food has had a hold on me for as long as I can remember. Growing up in an Italian-American family, I was lucky enough to have parents who were both amazing home cooks, not to mention my aunts, uncles, and grandparents. My childhood was full of food experiences and they clearly made an impression: my mom loves to tell the story of when I confidently toddled up to a restaurant counter at the age of 2 and ordered a cappuccino and a lobster roll. Interesting combination but the girl knew how to eat!
My food obsession continued into university, where I took internships and jobs in the food space; from an artisanal gelato company in Boston to a non-profit educating kids about healthy eating in Chicago Public Schools to the National Food Association in New York City. I majored in Anthropology and wrote an ethnography on dairy and cheese farming in Connecticut (if you think life is hard, try being a dairy farmer). Naturally, I thought I would graduate and start a career in food. As things happen, a marketing job fell into my lap and with the onsetting panic of a new college graduate, I accepted. My food dream moved to the back burner for the next 5 years and remained firmly in the hobby category: experimenting with a myriad of cooking projects, throwing elaborate dinner parties, hosting holidays so I could secretly control the menu, etc. The unhappier I became in my job, the more I cooked, until finally, I left my job and enrolled in culinary school to pursue my love of food & cooking professionally.
After earning my diploma at the industry-leading Leiths School of Food & Wine in London, I began work as a private chef with clients throughout the UK, Europe and the US. My style of cooking is fresh and seasonal - I cook with global influences, high-quality ingredients and big, bold flavours.
In addition to my work as a private chef, I have recently become a Certified Nutrition Consultant with Oh Baby School of Holistic Nutrition. My certification specialises in holistically nourishing pregnant and postpartum clients through food and is an additional service I offer.
Now living in Melbourne, I am available on a freelance basis for weekly meal cooking, pregnancy & postpartum support, business & retreat catering, as well as parties & events.
Please send me a message to get in touch!
Gabriella x
Other qualifications include:
Certified Nutrition Consultant with Oh Baby School of Holistic Nutrition
CTH Level 4 Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts
Level 2 Wine and Spirit Education Trust Certificate in Wine
Level 2 Food Hygiene in Catering
Level 2 Health & Safety
Food Allergen Awareness Training
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
First Aid Training