Raised in the small town of Brookfield, CT, Chef Cara always had a knack for cooking, but it wasn’t until college that she realized she could turn that passion into a career.
After switching her major to Hospitality Business Management at the University of Delaware, Cara found herself working in the student-run fine dining restaurant, Vita Nova. One shift in the back of house and she was hooked. The line felt more like home than work—and she knew she’d found her calling.
Since then, Chef Cara has become a true kitchen chameleon. From fine dining to allergy-friendly restaurants (we’re talking gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and fat-free), she’s mastered the art of making clean, nourishing meals without compromising on flavor. She went from kitchen helper to Sous Chef in just three months at her first restaurant, and she hasn’t slowed down since.
What lights her up most? The joy of cooking for others. Whether she’s hand-folding dumplings or searing the perfect scallop, Chef Cara sees food as a way to bring people together. One of her favorite career moments? A woman once drove all the way from Massachusetts just to try her famous gnocchi—a humble but unforgettable reminder that her food makes people feel something.
Chef Cara is especially drawn to the balance and boldness of Asian cuisine, where flavors like sweet, sour, salty, and umami collide in creative harmony. And when she’s not in the kitchen? She’s painting, fishing, playing board games, or tossing a softball like a pro (because, fun fact: she once played professionally). She also shares her life with five cats—Josie, Billie, Chili, Willow, and Henry—who fully support her culinary endeavors, especially when there's fish involved.
She lives by the motto: “You crave it—I create it.” And if you’re lucky enough to sit at her table, you’ll taste that energy in every bite.
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