I started at age 12 at The Silo, assisting in classes with Martha Stewart, Guiliano Bugiali, Bert Greene and Sheila Lukins.  For 5 years I learned so much from them. Then I was asked to come work for a Catering company.  Starting at the bottom and quickly moving up into management and eventually being in charge of weddings and large parties. 

Off to a University in Newport, RI coming home to work important parties on weekends and vacations.  While I was earning my B.A. in Mathematics I started working in restaurants fulltime.  I worked my way up and finally was given my first Chef position at an Italian Restaurant named “Pronto” that is still on Thames Street to this day.  What a wonderful way to learn! Five days a week I had to come up with my own creations for the specials menu for 2 years.  My heart does truly lie with Italian Cuisine.  When I graduated in 1991 from University, I followed my future husband Scott while he became an officer in the Coast Guard.

For 10 years I enjoyed being and military wife and mother to my four children.  Hunter is my oldest and my only son at 12 years old.  He has been sous chefing for me at my kids classes.  Three daughters came after Hunter, Sierra age 10, Halifax age 8 and Acadia age 6.  During my time traveling the world with the military I continued to work on parties for friends and throw official functions for whatever in or outgoing Generals/Admirals was coming or going.  I truly am a social butterfly and really enjoy entertaining. 

Since my husband got out of the military in 2000,he has been joining corporate flying for Xerox and I have continued to work on Parties, Cooking Classes and other events.  I have had such clients as GE, Cadbury-Schwepps, Schick-Wilkinson, Opera Providence and Pratt & Whitney.  Every year I donate my time and expertise’s to Silent Auctions and Charities to help raise money.  In 2002, I started Cooking classes at The Silo where my love of cooking and entertaining began.  I also have been teaching private classes at people’s homes and doing small personal chef parties in homes.

In 2006, I started Cuisine with Jill Nicolson, which is a Cooking School, Catering, Event Planning and Private Party place. Located at 184 South Main Street, Torrington, CT, we are available for catering parties and sit down dinners up to 36 guests or 75 guests for cocktail parties.  I am also in the process of writing an entertaining cook book.