Our Chefs
Over the last 7 years The Naked Bite has grown to include an amazingly talented group of people, we are so grateful! The core values of our company and our approach to vibrant and ethical cuisine is ever present no matter which of our chefs is lovingly crafting the food. Our team uses Naked Bite tried an true recipes to support and enhance their own creativity. We create our team based on a chef’s adept understanding of flavor and a commitment to increase the vibration of our clients, the ingredients and the world as a whole. We promise that whomever is cookin’ you will enjoy the most delicious vegetable-driven cuisine, one NAKED bite at a time!
Learn more About Us and founder Chef Amber Antonelli.
Chef Kelli Northington~ Manager of The Austin Market
Kelli’s passion for food and cooking is something that has always been a part of her life. Growing up in Houston, she loved cooking with her family and became interested in culinary arts and entertaining while attending The University of Texas at Austin. Over the last decade or so, she has shifted her focus to healthy, clean eating and learning new ways to incorporate nutritious ingredients while always keeping flavor at the forefront. One of her favorite challenges is to recreate healthier versions of dishes that she has had at restaurants.
Kelli is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where she furthered her knowledge of different diets, new ways of cooking and eating and an overall wholistic approach to wellness. Kelli is also a certified personal trainer and is passionate about teaching people that a healthy lifestyle is all encompassing with diet, physical activity and mental health. Kelli is inspired by providing clean, delicious food for her clients and helping them with any special dietary needs and introducing them to new and exciting ways of eating. She loves the personal connection she forms by working in clients’ homes and sharing her passion for cooking, wellness and nutritious food.
Chef Loren Pulitzer~ Manager of The Miami Market
Loren has worked in the food industry for most of her life, starting in a bakery when she was 13. She loved working with food and enjoyed the people—from those who baked the bread to those that ate it. After studying baking and years of working in the pastry industry in NYC and NJ, Loren completed her degree in Hotel Management at UMass Amherst.
In 2002 Loren realized that she wanted to work with organic and natural foods and left her management position to work for Whole Foods Market. It was there that Loren learned about food in an entirely new way, and discovered a number of her own food sensitivities. With this new knowledge she began to learn a new approach of cooking, baking, and enjoying food. The path that Loren has walked has led her to healing herself through food and has made great strides in healing others as well. Through her own business Meals That Heal and partnering with The Naked Bite, Loren is committed making healthy and delicious food accessible for all.
Chef Kristin Piegza~ Austin
Kristin’s formal culinary career began with an educational foundation at the Culinary Institute of America. Following her formal training, she brought her artistic eye and background in cultural studies to Saveur Magazine. Her time at the Saveur test kitchen was one of her most valuable experiences to grow as a chef. The magazine introduced her to recipe testing, food styling, photography and writing, along with the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with top name chefs.
Following her time in the editorial kitchen, she went on to explore other sectors of the food world such as catering and events, but soon found herself immersed in recipe testing and food styling for Blackbird Bakery’s cookbook “The everyday Art of Gluten Free.” After the success of the publication, she joined the Blackbird team as Head Baker and Bakery Director, managing all aspects of production for the wholesale and retail businesses. She has a diverse repertoire of cooking styles, easily accommodating dietary needs, restrictions or food allergies.
Kristin has always been drawn to food, herbs and wellness. She studied botany, and she is a Master Herbalist from the School of Natural Healing. In the spirit of ‘farm to table,” she loves to get her hands dirty harvesting local produce from Austin’s farms!
Chef Andrea Vargas~ Austin
Andrea grew up on a farm surrounded by fresh ingredients. At a very young age her grandmother taught her the importance of cooking from scratch, showing Andrea how to prepare dishes like fettuccine and bolognese sauce, she fell in love with food. Years later during her time in junior college Andrea was turned down to work in a kitchen of a local restaurant for being a female which greatly motivated her to attend the California Culinary Academy in San Fransisco.
After graduating Andrea worked in fine dining restaurants and catering companies before becoming a private chef In 2008, her father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, an illness inspired her to follow the clean-eating focused Gerson Therapy to help cure him. She learned to translate her French culinary background from butter and cheese to substitute plant-based ingredients that helped him heal and still enjoy eating. Her father is still alive and thriving in his therapy, proving that the quality of what you put in your body has a huge impact on life as a whole.
Chef Sarah Myers~ Miami
Sarah’s first culinary inspiration came from her father who shared stories of his travels and friends he made while cooking. Her professional training took place in Denver, Colorado where her exposure to global cuisine ignited a desire for culture and adventure. Since culinary school, she has studied in France, Italy, Thailand and India.
Sarah launched her career in small upscale restaurants, and then took the leap and became Owner/Executive Chef of “Deliciosa” personal chef services. In her tenure she has also she worked for professional athletes, celebrities and served on private and charter yachts all over the world. Partnering with each client we created menus that supported their refined palates and healthy lifestyles.
Sarah believes that it feels good to feel good, and how we eat is a direct correlation to how we feel. She takes a fresh approach to innovative cuisine for those seeking a tasty, sustainable culinary experience.
Wendy Gutierrez~ Miami
Wendy has had a passion for all things culinary for as long as she can remember; born to a traditional Puerto Rican family, she quickly found her place in the kitchen. As a graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts, Wendy has a well-rounded hospitality education. Her love of wine inspired her to study Wine Production and Pairing in Europe.
Wendy’s passion and professionalism have allowed her to work with some of the country’s top Chefs, Miami’s most acclaimed restaurants- and at the homes of several celebrities and top business executives as a Private Chef. Most recently, Wendy helped open Il Sole restaurant inside the famed Versace Mansion, where she ran the kitchen as Chef de Cuisine. Wendy is grateful to now be working one-on-one with clients and is inspired to bring 5-star conscious cuisine to the comfort of your home.
Chef Giulianna Figueroa~ Miami
Since a young age, Giulianna has been passionate about food. In middle school, her mother was diagnosed with Candida. This led her to explore different diets, and is what inspired her to challenge herself in the kitchen, as well as experiment with new styles, cooking techniques, and ingredient substitutions.She pursued an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts at Johnson and Wales University’s North Miami Campus and gained experience in the field working with chefs accredited by the James Beard Foundation, Michelin chefs, as well as Master chefs.
Throughout her training she has developed a love for nutrition. Driven by her love for food and it’s healing abilities she decided to continue her studies at Keiser University. Now, she is grateful to have the opportunity to work more closely with clients as their personal chef.
Rebecca Carter~
Rebecca Carter is a web and communications specialist. Her career has been an ongoing journey, starting with a stint in corporate America before she became a full-time blogger and eco-consultant. Rebecca now focuses her energy on web presence, communication, and special projects for small business owners. She has been a vegetarian since she was 18 years old, and more recently has adopted a gluten-free diet. She enjoys being a home cook and testing The Naked Bite recipes. Rebecca has lived in Miami for 10 years and is happy to call it home.
