Chef Marissa

I’m Chef Marissa, and my cooking is rooted in the meals I grew up with food that brings people together and makes them feel cared for. My Michigan upbringing and my Oma’s cooking shaped that foundation, while living and working in Miami expanded my palate and brought fresh influences to my kitchen. The result is food with warmth, personality, and thoughtful attention to flavor. With more than 12 years of culinary experience, I bring a background in luxury hospitality, plant-based cooking, private household dining, and restaurant ownership. A Johnson & Wales University graduate, I helped open 1 Hotel South Beach and worked across its dining outlets. My experience there also included preparing raw and plant-based cuisine under Chef Matthew Kenney. I later founded Hungry Eyes Kitchen, a chef-driven concept inside Bob’s Your Uncle in Miami Beach. The experience I value most is the trust I’ve built with long-term private clients. Cooking for someone regularly means learning more than their favorite dishes, it means understanding their routines, preferences, appetite, and what makes a meal enjoyable for them. I’m comfortable moving between an elegant multi-course dinner and a familiar comfort-food favorite, giving both the same care. I create menus around the people at the table. Whether you enjoy bold flavors, prefer simple preparations, or need vegan, gluten-free, or other dietary accommodations, I want your meals to feel personal and satisfying. I work with clients in South Florida and Asheville, North Carolina, and travel with households seasonally. From sourcing ingredients to leaving your kitchen spotless, I take care of the entire experience. My goal is for you to feel understood, well fed, and completely at ease with food you look forward to eating.