Catherine currently leads product research and development at Zack’s Mighty Tortilla Chips overseeing product development, farm relations, commercialization, quality, and food safety. A leader in innovation strategy and operational execution, she previously lead R&D at Sir Kensington’s.

Before Sir Kensington’s, she worked as a chef’s assistant at Alouette Cheese and as an R&D intern at Advanced Food Products. Her claim to fame was winning the Infatuation Bake Sale (presented by Whole Foods), where her original baked good, The Adzuki Zen Cupcake, was chosen from over 1500 submissions. She was also invited to participate as one of “15 of the country’s top pastry chefs and award-winning bakers” at a Cookies for Kids’ cancer charity event sponsoring pediatric cancer research.

Catherine grew up in small-town Pennsylvania.  When she was younger, she had to beg her mom to let her help in the kitchen.  Once Catherine proved her skills, she was promoted to sous chef of the house, and occasionally, head chef!  She watched her grandma bake Vietnamese and French-influenced cakes and pastries.  These recipes remain some of her favorites.