About Me

My Story

My love of cooking has always been tied to tradition, family, and gathering around good food. Growing up in Michigan, I learned early on how simple ingredients can transform when you treat them with care. That foundation stayed with me as my cooking evolved.

I began my professional food career in 2009 when I joined Dove Chocolate Discoveries, a division of Dove Chocolate. Over nearly a decade in the chocolate industry, I became one of the top performers nationwide and a nationally recognized speaker. I spent years teaching people how to taste chocolate, recognize quality, and understand flavor balance. That experience sharpened my palate and shaped how I approach recipe development today.

Alongside that career, I cooked constantly at home, drawing from Jewish food traditions, Mediterranean flavors, and a growing interest in gluten-free foods that never feels like a compromise. Eventually, A Sweet Thyme became the place where all of those influences came together.

Today, from my kitchen in Northbrook, Illinois, I create recipes that are vibrant, practical, and deeply satisfying. Whether it's a comforting Jewish holiday dish or a bright, herb-forward Mediterranean dinner, I believe food should feel approachable, beautiful, and worth slowing down for.

My Areas Of Expertise

• Mediterranean Cooking - Fresh herbs, citrus, olive oil, and seasonal produce are the backbone of my kitchen.
• Gluten-Free Recipe Development - Many recipes are naturally gluten-free or easily adapted, without sacrificing flavor or texture.
• Chocolate & Dessert Development - Ten years in the chocolate industry gave me a deep understanding of flavor pairing, tasting, and dessert creation. Yes, I am a lifelong chocoholic.
• Recipe Testing & Technique - My background in accounting brings structure, precision, and consistency to how I test and write recipes.
• Food Photography - I photograph every dish on A Sweet Thyme so you can see exactly what you are making, not a stock image or a studio version.