About Me

Hey there, I'm Keri Stenberg. I'm a 41-year-old transgender woman and I hail from The Columbia Gorge, Pacific Northwest. I've been married to my partner for 12 years and we have two amazing kids, Oliver and Noa. We also share our home with two lovely tortie cats named Rosie and Lunala.

My true passion lies in nourishing myself and the people around me through food relationships. It's not just about eating, it's about creating meaningful connections through shared meals and experiences. Whether it's cooking for my family, exploring new restaurants, or hosting dinner parties with friends, food is at the heart of everything I do.

All of my hobbies, work, and pleasures are intertwined with these relationships. As the saying goes, "there are times when I am eating, and then there are the times I am being eaten." I believe that food is a powerful way to bring people together and create lasting memories.

Growing up, I came from a big family and we didn't have a lot of money, so I started working at a young age. By the time I hit 15, I was already working almost full-time between two part-time jobs and always on the hunt for more opportunities. One thing that always stuck with me was my love for working in restaurants. It just felt natural and brought me a lot of joy, especially when working with food.

After graduating high school in 2000, I decided to pursue my passion for food and attended Johnson & Wales University. My goal was to become a chef and work in the restaurant industry. During my time at J&W, I received my Associates of Science in Culinary Arts and was part of the Nutrition Society. I graduated with honors, Cum Laude.

What I truly appreciated about my education was the chance to travel and work in different places with new people. Food has always been a journey of shared experiences for me, nourishing not only my body, but my mind and soul as well.

My journey with food continues to this day and it's something that I love sharing with everyone and everything around me. Right now, I'm working as the Chef d' Cuisine at Henni's Restaurant and Bar. My main passion is in menu and food systems management, where I get to create amazing new dishes while also eliminating inefficiencies and food waste.

I've worked in pretty much every cook position you can think of, and I've done it all over the world. For me, professional success comes from improving value by reducing waste and maximizing efficiencies which result in creating incredible culinary experiences that are not only delicious but sustainable too.

I am beyond thrilled to share some of my favorite career and life moments that involve my greatest passion: food! These moments have allowed me to engage with some truly amazing people and have left an indelible mark on me. Here are a few highlights:

• Serving the legendary Julia Child her meal at a Johnson and Wales food convention. It was such an honor to cook for someone who has had such a profound impact on the culinary world.

• Engaging in some small talk with Julia Louis-Dreyfus at her house before a party. She was so gracious and charming, and it was such a memorable experience for me.

• Watching Sting - yes, that Sting! - eat celery root remoulade with his fingers. It was a simple pleasure, but one that I'll never forget.

• Meeting Robert Plant in the UK and having him sign my ZOSA album after a delicious dinner. I mean, come on - does it get any cooler than that?

• Feeding Robert Hillary King, a former member of the Angola 3 who spent decades in solitary confinement. It was humbling to be able to provide nourishment for someone who had been deprived of so much for so long.

• And finally, feeding my family every single day that I can. This may seem like a small thing, but it's actually one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Being able to nourish the people I love and share my passion for food with them is truly priceless.

Thank you all for taking the time to check out my content. I can't wait to share more with you in the future!