Chef Christina Pancheri believes in fate. She didn’t always know she wanted to be a chef, but believes that her life and certain events pushed her in the right direction as she realized her destiny. The youngest of three children, Christina grew up in Poway, California with a tight-knit family. Her family spent quality time together and often cooking was the impetus. In fact, they still congregate in the kitchen every Wednesday evening. Both her parents and grandmother were talented in the kitchen, and Christina says, “We shared a passion for cooking, which was instilled in me at a young age.” Christina first attended college at California State University San Marcos where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2009. Soon after graduation, she realized that psychology was not the career path for her and moved to South Dakota to live near her brother. It was there that she uncovered her passion for cooking and thought to develop her talent by pursuing a degree in the culinary arts. She decided to look into the Art Institute in San Diego to be closer to the rest of her family again.

Upon moving back to San Diego in 2011, she wasn’t sure that she would be able to afford the costly tuition and fees required to attend classes at the Art Institute. When she was awarded a $10,000 scholarship, she felt it must be fate. She began classes in October of 2011 and received her Culinary Arts degree in March of 2013.

Christina’s first job in a kitchen was while she was still a student. She was hired as a line cook at LaVilla in the Little Italy neighborhood of San Diego. One month prior to her graduation in February of 2013, she was hired at Kitchen 4140 in Clairemont where she would work under the guidance of her greatest mentor, Chef Tony Ventura. Kitchen 4140 is where Christina believes she was truly transformed into a chef, and ultimately, she became the restaurant’s chef de cuisine. In February of 2014, a colleague connected Christina with The Verant Group. She was brought in to do a tasting for the Tavern team, and was offered the position of executive chef at Tavern that same day. In early 2016, Christina jumped on board the Caribbean express to become the executive chef at Miss B’s Coconut Club, where she cooked up the ultimate tiki-inspired dishes. Chef Christina is now the Executive Chef for Grind and Prosper Hospitality.

When Christina is not working, she enjoys reading, painting, attending rock concerts and working on her herb garden. She also enjoys being active by outdoor hiking, doing yoga, going to the beach or mountains, riding dirt bikes and spending time with her two boxer dogs.