With focus on local and sustainable cuisine, Chef Helena-Gustavsson-Giesea brings her passion and culinary expertise to Sonoma wine country, being located in the Russian River Valley and on the Sonoma Coast. As a graduate of the San Francisco City College culinary school, Chef Helena interned in Garde Manger and pastry at SanFrancisco’s prestigious Fleur de Lys restaurant. Her Front of the House experience extends to the Cyrus Restaurant in Healdsburg and the Farmhouse Inn& Restaurant in Forestville, followed by being the proprietor of her own restaurant in Guerneville, the former Charizma Wine Lounge. Chef Helena's recent endeavors includes baking pastries at Della Fattoria in Petaluma and specializing in seafood and natural cuisine as chef and manager at the seasonal Jenner Bistro. The passion for culinary achievement spawned in Helena's childhood by the side of her mom in Sweden. Seasonal vegetables, fruits and berries were plucked from the family’s personal organic garden to become part of their daily cuisine. In the fall her father would bring home game to be butchered and cooked with wild mushrooms gathered by the family in nearby woods. Local farmers provided a variety of fresh produce like eggs, raw milk,and vegetables. Because the growing season was intense but short, the Gustavsson’s canned, froze and dehydrated the crop so they could enjoy it throughout the winter months. It was during this time that little Helena enjoyed learning her mother’s cooking techniques and culinary secrets. As a young adult Helena became an ardent competitor in Sweden’s Miss Fitness competition. Natural diet and nutrition became a concentrated focus during this time of her life. She knew it was eating healthy, natural foods that gave her the strength to compete effectively. Chef Helena today has the creative touch to combine a variety of textures, flavors and colors that blend together to complement each other. Her cuisine is not only healthy and pure, but is delicious in a way that even the most discriminating taste buds would enjoy. You can visit chef Helena at her web site http://www.helenaskitchen.com and at her blog http://www.chefhelena.blogspot.com or you may find her working as a private chef at local Sonoma County events. Either way, you'll have a delightful culinary experience! Written by Roberta Kling Giesea