About

Victoria Cortes is the personal chef of choice for green-minded foodies throughout Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. She specializes in the preparation of REAL food. She understands the importance of sustainable agriculture and advocates sourcing local ingredients and planning seasonal menus. Whether you’re planning an open house for 100, a bridal shower for 30, or an intimate dinner with just a few friends, Victoria will make the event a complete success.

In addition to catering amazing parties, Victoria provides a bi-weekly meal service that turns her clients’ freezers into a treasure trove of gourmet cuisine. She customizes each client’s menu based on his or her personal preferences and accommodates many special diets like the gluten-free diet, Paleo diet, dairy-free diet, Specific Carbohydrate diet, and Nourishing Traditions.

Victoria is convinced of the healing power of food and her delicious and nutritious preparations have proved helpful in fighting many ailments, like cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and Lyme disease. When it comes to healthy food, Victoria does not believe in shortcuts- she prepares homemade stocks, soaks and simmers dried beans, and adjusts standard recipes in order to incorporate more wholesome ingredients.

After graduating from Allegheny College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and French, Victoria worked for several years in documentary film at the National Geographic Channel in Washington, D.C. Inspired by the year she spent in gourmet France, Victoria decided to pursue a degree in the culinary arts. Since graduating with honors from the Professional Culinary Arts Program at L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Victoria has honed her skills in all kinds of kitchen operations- from fine dining, catering, and prepared foods, to the set of the television cooking show, Emeril Green (featuring Chef Emeril Lagasse).

Victoria teaches gourmet cooking classes at The Butterfly Gourmet in Purcellville, VA and has taught whole foods cooking classes at the Integrative Family Medicine Center in Leesburg, Virginia and kids’ cooking classes at Brainzoom learning center in Gainesville, VA. Victoria is a founding member of the Personal Chefs Cooperative and a Certified Food Safety Manager with the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals. Victoria Cortes Personal Chef Service is licensed, bonded, and insured.