Private Chef
TV Personality
Instructor
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Chef. Mom. Kitchen Hack Queen.
I'm the chef behind Red Wagon Meals and @chef.life.hacks, known for turning everyday ingredients into meals that actually work for busy people.
After 25 years in the food industry, my journey is a testament to how passion can reshape your path. My goal is simple:
help you cook smarter, eat well and giggle at the mishaps.
Get in Touch
Party People!
hey
Let's get into some of the services I offer...​
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Private Chef & Catering
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Intimate dinners, family gatherings, events and pop ups​
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Cooking Lessons
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In-person or virtual for up to 16 guests​
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Live Demos
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Engaging, high energy demonstrations for apartment complex tenants, corporate sponsors, and brand activations​
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Social Media Collaborations
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Reels, sponsored content, brand partnerships and recipe development​
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Kind Words
Customer's
I just have to tell you how grateful I am to have found your account! I've tried a few of your recipes and they're all so tasty! Thank you for sharing your wisdom with your party people!
Cecelia M.
I learned SO much from your cooking class last week! You made it so easy to follow and we all had a blast! The Mongolian Beef was out of this world! When's the next one?
Holly L.
My son gobbled down your meals this week... brussel sprouts, carrots, sweet potatoes, he LOVED it all! Thank you for opening him up to new foods!
We appreciate it more than you know!
Anna A.
Chef Janet
Get to Know
You may know me from:
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Monthly spotlights on CBS Talk Pittsburgh
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Podcast episodes of The Pittsburgh Dish and I'll Call You Right Back
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Sharing my tips and tricks on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and TikTok @chef.life.hacks
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My path to becoming a chef didn’t start in a kitchen. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in marketing, I found myself unsure of what came next. I took a clerical job at a startup, just trying to figure things out.
Then one weekend, I volunteered to help my boss cater a party. That following Monday, he said something I’ll never forget: “I see you in front of the computer, and I saw you in the kitchen. What the hell are you doing? This is your passion and you’re really good at it.” He was right.
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Within a few months, I enrolled in culinary school and quickly realized I had found what I was meant to do. I spent years working in restaurants, managing food and beverage operations at a golf course, and cooking as a personal chef for families. Each step helped shape my style and approach to food.
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In 2020, I started delivering home-cooked meals, driven by a simple idea: take the stress out of answering “what’s for dinner?” for busy families. There’s nothing better than knowing I can make someone’s day a little easier and a lot more delicious.
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In 2023, I launched @chef.life.hacks and built a community around practical kitchen tips and approachable recipes. My goal is simple. I want you to feel confident in the kitchen. Mistakes happen, and that’s part of the process. That’s how we learn, improve, and ultimately enjoy cooking more!
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