Now a resident of Whidbey Island, Washington, Amanda specializes in savory dishes and enjoys the Northwest’s natural beauty and fabulous seafood. She is a Line Cook at Prima Bistro in Langley, Washington where she expresses her culinary passion. Prima Bistro was named "Where to Eat in Washington State" by the Food Network in 2017.  

A midwestern native, born in Aurora, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Amanda attended Aurora Central High School where she was the Home Economics Outstanding Student in her graduating class of 2006. She attended the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale, Arizona and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Culinary Management.

In Arizona, Amanda worked as a lead cook at a busy organic pizza restaurant in downtown Phoenix and as cafe supervisor at the Vanguard Financial Campus in North Scottsdale. After graduating, she relocated to the Northwest to work as a manager for the University of Washington's Housing and Food Services.

As an islander, Amanda gets to witness mussels being harvested first hand at nearby Penn Cove as well as catch whales as they pass by in the Saratoga Passage. It's a tradition (and expected) in Langley to run and ring the iron Whale Bell at the shore when you spot a gray whale. Geoduck and Cassoulet are Prima favorites that Amanda loves to prepare. Prima Bistro a French inspired Northwest Bistro located in Langley on Whidbey Island. The magical ferries will take you there!

“Non cooks think it’s silly to invest two hours’ work in two minutes’ enjoyment; but if cooking is evanescent, so is the ballet.”
– Julia Child