Quintessa is a passionate cook with dreams of opening her own restaurant one day. Her love for the culinary arts began in childhood, helping her family in the kitchen and attending summer culinary camps. In high school, she volunteered at Ceres Community Project, where she gained a deep appreciation for nutritious food and its benefits toward good health.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Quintessa seized the opportunity to advance her culinary career. At 17 years old, she worked as a personal chef for Cast Iron Kitchen in San Francisco, CA, where she curated menus and cooked for clients, further honing her professional skills. In college, she gained her first restaurant work experience at Chez Panisse as a part-time intern, helping with prep for the restaurant. During her final semester of college, she worked weekends at Hearth in the East Village of NYC as a line-cook during Brunch service. Now, she is working full-time as a line cook at Jargon in Asheville, NC, where she has contributed ideas and dishes to their menu.

Quintessa’s greatest joy comes from cooking for others and seeing their faces light up when they taste her food. Driven by her love for cooking and inspired by diverse flavors, Quintessa is now focused on promoting her work through this portfolio. It serves as a testament to her journey and a showcase of her creations, paving the way for her culinary future.