About

Hi, I'm Suzie

Hi! Nice to meet you! I'm a former professional cook turned laid-back home cook and avid gardener living in beautiful Sonoma County.

When I'm not working, cooking in my kitchen, or hanging in my garden, you can find me out on hiking trails or the golf course, soaking up the fresh air. I love spending quality time with friends and family....and, of course, I'm always on the hunt for new local foods and flavors to spark my next recipe idea.

My kitchen philosophy

I believe that gourmet can be simple and delicious, and it's always a little better when it includes something fresh. I can find a way to use a gremolata or chimichurri in just about anything.

Fresh herbs are a huge part of my cooking style. 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 roasted tomato pizza sauce, or the first taste of fresh basil each spring. (And yes, basil flowers taste just like basil, so be sure to use those in salads!)

The other night I was making a simple pizza-and-salad dinner for my family, and as I sprinkled fresh parsley and a pinch of Italian seasoning over the salad, my sister laughed and said, 'You're so extra.' She wasn't wrong. But then everyone took a bite and couldn't stop talking about how good that 'simple' salad was.

That's really my cooking philosophy: take the extra minute, add the extra sprinkle of herbs or crunch, make it taste amazing. Life's too short not to make your food a little extra, and a lot more delicious.

What got me into gourmet cooking?

As a kid, I was as picky as they come. It was almost impossible for my parents to get me to eat anything. My poor parents. Right after high school, I dove into culinary classes and soon realized that simple techniques, flavorful sauces, and the freshest ingredients can truly transform a dish. This revelation is what opened my palate and sparked my love for exploring every flavor....and my love of gardening.

What You'll Find on This Website

In addition to simple gourmet recipes with a good mix of healthy and comfort foods, you'll find:

• Seasonal recipes that make the most of what's fresh, like this Reuben-inspired green bean recipe, asparagus with pistachio crumble, or this peach and burrata salad.
• Incredible homemade dressings like ranch dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, and blue cheese dressing.  Showstopping salads that turn simple ingredients into the star of the table, like this steak salad, luau salad, or this harvest smoked chicken salad.
• Easy weeknight main dishes like everything bagel pork tenderloin, pistachio crusted salmon, air fryer blackened chicken, sheet pan pizza, and chimichurri chicken meatballs.
• How-to recipes like how to cook a flat iron steak, fall-off-the-bone chicken wings, and how to pan-sear shrimp. With so many more in the works!
• Simple tips to help you prep ahead, 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 the 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 catered, developed recipes, and systems to keep the kitchen and business 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 garnish my favorite dishes, because sometimes it's the little extras you add that really make a dish taste delicious.

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, meal plans, 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!