She’s not just any chef!

Sandra’s love of cooking was always a family affair. Her mother never liked cooking, so her father started cooking with Sandra when she was just 4 years old. When her grandmother came to live with them, Grandma taught everything she knew about cooking to Sandra, too. Even Aunty B joined in, as everything she touched in the kitchen turned to pure delicious gold.

Soon Sandra and her father were entering into competitions and challenges all over the region. Then, they started competing against each other with family, friends and neighbors determining the winner. Sandra eventually took over cooking for the family, much to everyone’s delight!

When Sandra was a single parent with 2 kids, she would always cook for them and others. She loved cooking for neighbors, the people she worked with, and even as trade when she needed things! Sandra’s coworkers at the office would often volunteer to work holidays with her because they knew Sandra would bring in delicious dishes to make the day brighter. It definitely helped her team to worked hard and gain lots of success!

Sandra moved up to the beautiful Pacific NW in 2011. Though she had a different career, she always said that she would “go in one day” the culinary institute whenever they drove by. One day her husband, Victor, stopped the car and made her walk in. They talked and soon Sandra was signed up. Her mentor at school was JD, who loved to challenge her. Sandra was the oldest one in her class and had many years of cooking experience. JD acknowledged she has skills but made her write down all of the recipes that she had kept in her head for years. Sandra started her beloved catering business soon after that.

Sandra loves cooking dishes from various countries, cultures, themes… almost anything. She gets so much joy from watching people brighten up once they taste her food. It’s important to her that her food makes people feel like they are the most important thing.

Sandra has cooked for many local nonprofits, businesses, events, and festivities throughout the metro Portland area. She loves creating menus and being challenged with new ideas.  You can also still see Sandra’s cooking TV spots on Afternoon Live on KATU. Anyone who tastes her cooking can feel the love.