… and lifelong learner who believes that travel and food are far more than sustenance—they’re powerful ways to connect, teach, and inspire change.

I grew up in Nashville and got my start in the food industry early—doing everything from flipping burgers to managing restaurants, and eventually working as a private chef and TV food stylist. After studying psychology and marketing, I moved to Los Angeles to work in entertainment before shifting gears to raise my four sons—now grown—who taught me the art of multitasking and the value of a good sense of humor.

At 45, I followed my passion back to the kitchen and enrolled in culinary school. Since then, I’ve continued my education in nutrition, Italian, photography, anthropology, and archaeology—because I believe staying curious is one of the best ways to nourish ourselves and those around us.

As the owner and chef of The Fraiche Kitchen in Valencia, CA, I focused on creating food experiences that were joyful, nourishing, and rooted in community. My approach to cooking is personal: a blend of creativity, quality, sustainability, and deep respect for individual dietary needs. My approach to travel is the same.

Travel has always been a source of inspiration for me—whether I’m exploring a local market or hiking 600 miles across Spain on the Camino de Santiago. Over the years, I’ve found so much joy in planning meaningful travel experiences for others. That’s what led me in 2019 to create Wander Retreats: a curated collection of group trips designed to spark adventure, connection, and rejuvenation. Each one is personally designed and led by me, combining my love of food, travel, and community into experiences people don’t forget.

Whether I’m cooking, teaching, hiking, or planning the next retreat, my mission is the same: to bring people together in ways that feel real, joyful, and nourishing—in every sense of the word.

Peace, C