Growing up in a traveling family, I had always been exposed to bizarre foods. I was never the picky eater that most kids were (I remember trying alligator when I was 6 years old). Never knowing how to interpret my food interest, it wasn't until after shadowing a sports dietitian in high school that I realized my love for nutrition. This realization became stronger after I saw how diets positively and negatively influenced the health of several family members. I then became fascinated with the alternative effects of food and made my decision to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition while minoring in exercise science. While nutrition facts are important, I have learned to look past these components and recognize the alternative benefits presented in foods. I am a believer that food has more to offer than calories, and accept that health is a total body concept, taking on a "food is medicine" philosophy, integrating holistic approaches into my personal beliefs.

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This "food is medicine" philosophy then led to me becoming interested in the culinary world. I mean, what better way to implement this idea than to actually cook beneficial meals? After a while of practicing in the kitchen on my own, I decided I wanted to experience a "real" kitchen. I researched facilities that I could see myself one day working at and spontaneously emailed the executive chef, asking if he would be interested in having an unpaid intern. Not expecting to hear anything back, I surprisingly got a quick response! We set up a meeting, and before I knew it, I was working in this elaborate, upscale, professional kitchen! The experience has had more impact on my career goals than any other experience I have had.


I hope to one day be able to fuse my two passions of nutrition and culinary arts into my career. For fun, I started this food blog in which I post about restaurants I have eaten at as well as my personal recipes, whether they be healthy or indulgent.

Indulgeinrelish.blogspot.com