About Me!

I founded Kate Uncorked in 2014 after graduating from Ballymaloe Cookery School’s farm to fork food program in Co. Cork, Ireland. Just weeks before arriving in Ireland, I had been living in New York City, working a steady job, scouring the city’s food scene and generally living what looked like the perfect life. But I was still going to bed every night unfulfilled. When it came time to commit to a 6th year in New York, I realized that something was not only missing, but was calling me.

Food has always been a big part of my life and I credit my Grandmother with sparking my passion for cooking and baking at an early age. Visits with her consisted of picking blackberries from her backyard garden and baking a pie from scratch. Twenty years later, this is still my idea of a perfect Saturday (alongside a glass of rosé, please!). In fact, most of my fondest memories involve food - exploring farmers markets, trying new restaurants, or just cooking a simple dinner for friends.

The calling to return to food led me to follow greener pastures, literally. I quit my job, moved out of New York and enrolled in the 12 week intensive program at Ballymaloe, a world renowned farm-to-table focused cooking school located on an organic farm in Cork, Ireland. This turned out to be the best decision of my life to date.

As I understand it, there are very few times in life when you are given an opportunity to pursue a true passion, explore a new culture and move in with a group of 60 strangers who know nothing about you. I had the opportunity to do all three at once and am forever grateful. Ballymaloe changed my approach to food, helped me to develop a true respect for ingredients and molded me into the chef that I am today.

The passion, inspiration, creativity and food values I acquired in Ireland followed me back to my hometown of Richmond, VA. After returning to The States, I began to receive requests to cook for friends and mothers with newborn babies, which parlayed into the personal chef services I have provided families and individuals across the city for the past four years. During that time I have immersed myself in the local food industry and gained experience in catering, events, cooking classes, in-home personal chef services, recipe development, and cooking for dietary specific needs.  Additionally, I spent two years working for a New York based wine retailer and have earned two levels of certification from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) along with a wine certification from Ballymaloe Cookery School.

Kate Uncorked is my latest chapter; one that allows me to share my vision and food philosophy with more people in a more approachable way. I'm excited to help individuals, families and new parents discover the benefits of a plant heavy, gut healthy lifestyle through meals that feed the mind, body and soul.

Thank you for stopping by. If you have any questions about my services, food values or even what wine I’m currently loving, please don’t hesitate to send me a note - I’d love to hear from you!