Michelle was born and raised in Queens and draws culinary inspiration from her Dominican and Salvadoran heritage. After more than a decade working in kitchens across New York, she recently transitioned into teaching–and discovered how powerful it is to help children fall in love with food. Michelle especially loves showing students how to prepare fresh, seasonal recipes using ingredients they’ve grown or recognize from home. Whether it’s a vibrant garden salad or a culturally meaningful dish, she sees each class as a chance to spark curiosity, joy, and confidence in the kitchen. She’s passionate about helping young people connect to food, flavor, and the wider world around them.