Meet Patsy Bentivegna of Chef Patsyb in Chula Vista

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patsy Bentivegna.

Patsy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It all started in the burbs of the San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles) in the 1950’s in a kitchen with one cookbook and a 7-year-old girl who wanted something more interesting to eat than a piece of fruit for her after school snack. I am the oldest girl of 6 kids who were encouraged by a very busy Mother to read her one cookbook and explore their kitchen cabinets for ingredients to prepare food and baked goods for their family. This activity not only established a lifelong interest in food, but gave me the opportunity to discover a talent and develop the confidence to pursue a career in the culinary arts.

I am a self-taught home cook turn professional chef at age 28. I had the rare opportunity to start my culinary career as an apprentice with what is now one of LA’s most successful catering companies, “ Someone’s in the Kitchen” SITK. I focused on desserts and honed my baking skills to pursue a successful career as a Pastry Chef.

I have held position at several prominent restaurants, hotels, caterers and cooking schools in San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Chicago and Florida as an Executive Chef, Pastry Chef, Cooking Instructor, Caterer and Chef Talent for TV, special events and cruise ships such as; Sur La Table, Top of the Market/Fish Market, Ranch Valencia Resort, Pamplemousse Grill, Pacifica Del Mar, The Santa Barbara Biltmore, SITK -Someone’s in the Kitchen, PGA TOUR, Parties That Cook, Holland America Cruise Line, Del Mar Fair and her own San Diego businesses; Girlfriends Baking Company and Morning Glory Café & Bakery.

My latest San Diego venture provides private catering events and hands-on cooking classes at local venues, such as; Freshly Prepped in Bonita in the South Bay Area of San Diego. I also offer private classes in client’s home and Corporate Team Building Events.

As of June 2014, I joined the teaching staff at Sur La Table in La Jolla, CA where I taught a variety of sweet and savory hands-on classes such as; Flavors of Italy Date Night to French Macarons. Teaching cooking classes and sharing my toolbox of cooking techniques is my way of “giving back! “! My mission is to inspire people to cook and/or enhance their skill level for career advancement or in the home! Nothing gives me more joy than to boost my student’s confidence in their cooking skills and instill a newfound passion for food.

The highlight and most rewarding experience of my career were my 18 months as the Executive Chef of the Greatest Generation Naval Museum, Veterans Outreach Program in San Diego. This was a non-profit event company who provided weekly dinner events for rehabilitating active duty veterans at the Wounded Warrior – West facilities located at Camp Pendleton and the Balboa Naval Medical Center. I provided leadership and training of the 150 volunteers, including the execution of all food events and the development and launch of the program, kitchen commissary, and the 46 ft. mobile food truck.

My career took a full circle experience during a 9-month return to “Someone’s in the Kitchen” SITK as Consulting Pastry Chef to revamp their pastry department. It was a “going home moment” and an opportunity to work once again with her mentor, SITK’s owner, Joanne Roth-Oseary. SITK is now a legendary caterer who’s events have been attended by such celebrities as; Oprah, Madonna, Howie Mandel and President Obama.

My “Pie Bar” created for Wayne Gretzky and his guests was a memorable experience they won’t forget!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The culinary industry is very volatile and challenging. I started my career at a time when there were very few women chefs, some of the kitchens that I worked in I was the only women, so I really had to prove myself and gain the respect of my superiors and fellow chef colleges.

I have a long career, so there were many challenges in opening restaurants, a wholesale bakery, catering firms and a cooking class business… Long hours that demanded commitment and dedication with the opportunity to be creative and make people happy!

I am a very determined person and I absolutely love my profession! I don’t think of it as work, just pure joy!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Chef Patsyb story. Tell us more about the business.
I am the Executive Chef and Owner of a cooking class/private chef business that offers cooking classes for adults and children. I bring 30 years of culinary experience to my services and classes. I offer a variety of American and ethnic cuisines with a specialty in pastry. My classes are hands-on with an emphasis on technique and fun! My style is all about the ingredients and making food from scratch. I bring my tricks of the trade to my classes in a relaxed style of teaching to help my students gain confidence and skills to use in their home kitchens.

I recently competed on the Food Network and won on the show, Bakers vs. Fakers. It was a real career highlight and an amazing experience! This summer I will be teaching Kids Cooking Camps and Adult Cooking Boot Camps at Mira Costa College, Francis Parker School and at my cooking class location at Freshly Prepped.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I was lucky to work with some very talented and generous chefs who shared their knowledge with me and gave me the opportunity to learn my craft and shine!

I’m a very positive, so I don’t dwell on the negative. I was determined to have a career as a Chef despite having major back surgery and raising my son as a single mom. My son is my greatest joy and a priority in my life. He is now 30 and has a successful career in advertising and is very proud of his Momma!

Contact Info:

• Address: 4070 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902
• Website: chefpatsyb.com
• Phone: 6197287920
• Email: chefpatsyb@gmail.com
• Instagram: @chefpatsyb
• Facebook: @chefpatsybentivegna
• Twitter: @chefpatsyb

Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.