As the chef/owner of A NEW DAWN personal chef service since 2006, Dawn has provided catering, personal chef services, and cooking instruction to many clients in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs to rave reviews. Formerly a research scientist with a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Molecular Genetics, Dawn’s passion for cooking and entertaining led her away from the lab and into the kitchen. She developed her culinary style with stints at Bin 36, Cafe Las Bellas Artes, several catering companies throughout Chicagoland, as the Culinary Director for Whole Foods Market-Northbrook teaching cooking classes and running the private event program, and as the fresh pasta-maker at Balena. In 2011, Dawn moved to the small Tuscan town of Colle Val d'Elsa where she worked at the rustic Slowfood restaurant, Officina della Cucina Popolare, learning the secrets of handmade pasta and Tuscan cuisine. Following her stage at Officina, she traveled and tasted her way around Italy. Earlier this year, her love of all things Italian drove her to launch Vicini Pastaria, a line of artisanal handmade pasta, sauces, and other Italian specialties. Dawn is excited about her newest adventure as a Chef Instructor for The Chopping Block. In addition to Italian cuisine, her broad expertise includes Mediterranean, Latin American, and Asian cuisine, and gluten-free, heart healthy, and vegetarian lifestyles.