Culinary Expert | Sustainable Food Advocate | Savannah Native

My kitchen is my refuge. From the echo of knives on a wooden board to the scent of freshly squeezed oranges, these are the sounds and smells that shaped my life. I’m Sofia, and I’ve spent the last 25 years turning a childhood passion for “stealing” hot fritters from my father’s kitchen into a career dedicated to honest, soulful food.

My Professional Journey

I believe that to break the rules of cooking, you must first master them. My path took me from the classroom to high-pressure professional lines:

• Savannah Culinary School: I traded my curiosity for professional techniques, studying everything from Mediterranean theory to the delicate chemistry of pastry.
• The Carmen District (5 Years): Working in a family-owned restaurant taught me my most valuable skill: zero-waste cooking. I learned to turn “scraps” into gold—stale bread became chilled soups, and overripe fruit became award-winning jams.
• Madrid’s Contemporary Scene: I spent years in a trendy Madrid gastropub, diving into modern textures and bold, surprising flavor combinations.
• Sustainable Roots: Today, I lead a sustainable food project in a rural cooperative back home in Savannah, focusing on fermentation and farm-to-table cooking.

My Philosophy: “Put Your Soul Into Every Dish”

Cooking isn’t about perfect plating; it’s about connection. My grandmother used to whisper those words to me, and they guide every recipe I share here.

What you’ll find on Recetas de Sofia:

• Seasonal Ingredients: I let the local market guide my menu.
• Honest Mistakes: I’m not afraid to tell you about the peach tart that collapsed or the soup I almost burned. In my kitchen, mistakes are just doors to new ideas.
• Home-Friendly Techniques: I translate professional restaurant “secrets” into simple steps anyone can do in their own cozy kitchen.

“To me, cooking is still the warmest way to say ‘I love you,’ and the best way to always find my way back home.”