About the Author

I was born and raised in beautiful Sonoma County. My mother was a local pastry chef and farmer. I grew up on the farm in Bodega and went with her on cake deliveries all over the county. My first job was milking goats for Bodega Goat Cheese, where I learned about the production of one of the best Goat Cheeses on the planet. Eventually, I started working for her friends who were well known Sonoma County caterers. I worked along side great chefs such as Michelle Ann Jordan and Barbara Hom. Michelle Ann Jordan is now a food writer for The Press Democrat and Barbara Hom is a restaurant consultant. Working with them I was taught the art of great food and excellent service.
By the early age of 12 I was the weekend breakfast cook for the School House Inn in Bodega. As I grew and got my drivers license I was off to working at restaurants all over the county. At 17, I was hired at John Ash & Company to work as an assistant pastry chef. I ended up going back to John Ash almost a decade and a half later at a server. I had the amazing opportunity to work as a prep cook, server and bartender at so many great restaurants; often being employed by many at the same time.
By far my favorite restaurant I have worked at is Underwood Bar and Bistro in Graton. I worked there as a server for over five years. Second up would be Willow Wood Cafe; Underwoods sister restaurant across the street. I also really enjoyed working at many other notable restaurants and bars such as, The Power House, Sebastopol Brewing Company, Keith's Sebastopol Grill, The Boat House, Jasper's, The Hide Away and more....
I have also run multiple small businesses here in this amazing county. I was the sole proprietor of a small wedding floral business called La Flora V and a children's store on Main Street in Sebastopol called The Children's Boutique. Eventually, I won the Bohemian readers poll and received the award for the best children's store in Sonoma County.
Once I became a single mother of two children I went back to school and gave up my career in restaurants. I now work as a fifth grade teacher for low socio-economic English language learners and am experiencing a whole new meaning to words "service job".
Now, I spend my time raising my two amazing children and living on a single mother and new teacher budget. I have created my blog Frugal Eats in order to help others on a low income budget enjoy the best that Sonoma County has to offer without breaking the bank.