Catherine was raised within walking distance of the Panama Canal in the small rainforest town of Gamboa. She grew up enjoying the abundance of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables grown in the rain forest, and seafood from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as freshwater fish from the lakes of Panama. The cuisines found in Panama represent many cultures: Caribbean, Asian, Latin, European and Panamanian. Living in Latin America gave Catherine the opportunity to travel throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean, experiencing each country's culinary delights and returning home to recreate them.
Catherine graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in Elementary Education in 1995. After graduating, she returned to Panama and married her husband, a Chilean descendant also from the Canal Zone. Catherine taught first grade for the Department of Defense for four years in Panama and for five years in Puerto Rico. Because cooking was always on her mind, her students were often mixing up ingredients and “cooking” in the classroom as lesson extensions.
In 2004, Catherine and her family relocated to San Antonio, Texas, where she has been enjoying the Mexican culinary influence and Texan barbecue. Regardless of where Catherine has lived, her kitchen has always been a gathering place for friends eager to sample her food creations.
With the last of Catherine's three children entering school full-time in 2012, Catherine focused on launching her life-long dream of owning a culinary business.
Catherine graduated from the Culinary Business Academy and obtained her Texas Food Safety Manager Certification in February, 2012.Catherine is a member of the United States Personal Chef Association (USPCA) and serves at the President of the San Antonio Chapter of the USPCA. Chef Catherine's Personal Chef Services is fully insured.
Being a Personal Chef is a perfect fit for Catherine's personality. She enjoys meeting new people, sharing recipes and helping busy families take eating from a “need” to an enjoyable activity.