I was born and raised in Livingston, Montana by my mother and grandmother.  My grandma, Shirley Faye had me in the kitchen at an early age. She taught me everything from how to organize the pantry to identifying ingredients at the store and making a detailed list in order of the way we would walk through the same grocery store that I shop in today.  She is everywhere in the cafe with me everyday. I feel her love and hear her words... 'Two wrongs don't make a right.' She would say...that has been the cornerstone of my world always. 

The first Chef I worked for was David Reece. We worked together at The Yellowstone Valley Grill in Paradise Valley.  His love for Jimi Hendrix, passion for delicious food, and business advice was more influential to me than I realized at the time. He told me to go out and build my resume...to work in hotels, restaurants, catering, country clubs, even to waitress for 6 months at a chain restaurant. To always aim to make more and work less. He was working summers and spent his winters relaxing in Key West.  The first big vacation I took my kids on was to Key West.  I thought of him everyday while I was there and my heart was full gratitude for his unconditional love and kindness.