About

Hi, I’m Suzie

I'm the cook, gardener, flavor and texture-obsessed mind behind The Virtual Caterer.

If you crave restaurant-style meals with bold flavor, beautiful presentation, and just enough creativity to make it fun (without spending all day in the kitchen), you’re going to feel right at home here.

I created The Virtual Caterer to help you cook like a pro, effortlessly. My recipes are built on solid technique (the kind I picked up in restaurants and catering kitchens), but they’re designed for real life: weekday dinners (and soon meal plans), date nights, weekend picnics or brunches, and those casual-but-wow-worthy gatherings.

What You’ll Find on This Website

• Seasonal recipes that make the most of what’s fresh like this asparagus with pistachio crumble or this peach and burrata salad.
  
• Incredible homemade dressings like this ranch dressing and this blue cheese dressing.  Showstopping salads that turn simple ingredients into the star of the table like this steak salad or this harvest smoked chicken salad.
  
• Simple tips to help you prep smarter, waste less, and finish a simple dish with added flavor and texture to make it extra special. Sometimes, it's just those finishing touches that make this dish
  

A Little About My Background

My background is a bit of a flavorful mix. I spent over 7 years in the wine industry, working countless food and wine pairing dinners where I learned to match the flavor of wine with the flavors and textures of food. I owned and operated a gourmet pizza shop for 10 years, where I developed recipes and systems to keep the kitchen running smoothly. I also studied horticulture and landscape design, worked in nurseries for 5 years, and ran a garden design business for 3. These days, my biggest joy is growing what I cook: vegetables, herbs by the handful, and enough edible flowers to for garnishing my favorite dishes..because who doesn’t love a little flair?

My Kitchen Philosophy

I believe everything we eat, whether it takes five minutes or fifty, should taste delicious.
You don’t need a culinary degree or hours of prep to make food feel special. Sometimes, it’s the tiniest touches that make the biggest difference.

Things like a quick gremolata: just chopped garlic, lemon zest, and parsley, can completely transform a simple pasta dish into something that tastes restaurant-worthy. Or adding a crunchy topping of toasted breadcrumbs, chopped nuts, and dried herbs to bring life and texture to a creamy dish. These little tricks go a long way, and they’re way easier than people think.

When friends taste my food, they often think I’ve done something complicated. But really, I’m just layering flavor and texture in simple ways that anyone can do at home. And I love sharing those tips so you can do the same.

Another big part of my cooking style? Fresh herbs. I grow them, dry them, and use them year-round. If you have a little space, or even just a couple of pots, you can too. There’s nothing quite like the flavor of homegrown dried oregano in a pizza sauce, or the first hit of fresh basil each spring. (And yes, basil flowers taste just like basil, so be sure to use those in salads!)

These kinds of subtle upgrades can make any meal feel like a five-star experience. If you’d like to learn more of these simple flavor tricks, I’d love to know! Leave a comment or send me an email at [email protected].

So whether you’re feeding two or hosting a few, I’ll help you make food that tastes as good as it looks, and feels just a little bit fancy…

I would love to cook with you!

I’d Love to Get to Know You!

This blog isn’t just about what I love to cook. It’s about helping you feel more confident and inspired in the kitchen.

Whether you're here to level up your weeknight dinners, find make-ahead meals for entertaining, or just want a killer salad dressing that makes you look forward to eating greens, I want to know how I can help.

If you have a minute, would you mind sharing a bit about yourself? I put together a short questionnaire to learn more about what you’re looking for, what you struggle with, and how I can create content that fits your needs.

👉 Click here to take the reader survey

Your feedback helps shape this space, and I truly appreciate you being part of it.

Let’s Stay Connected!

The Virtual Caterer is a part-time project right now, but it’s something I’m pouring my heart into with the dream of turning it into a full-time space for food lovers like you.

If you're enjoying the recipes or finding inspiration here, I’d be so grateful if you'd sign up for the email list. It’s the best way to support what I’m building, and you’ll get fresh recipes, seasonal ideas, and exclusive extras straight to your inbox.

Your feedback matters too. Trying a recipe? Leave a comment and a rating to let me know how it went! Every bit of support helps me keep this space growing.

Thank you for being here; it means the world that you’ve taken the time to learn about me!