Lessons from Local Leaders:

Feast Flavours by Cris

The journey from banking professional to private chef is not a common career path, but for Cristina, owner of Feast Flavours by Cris in Northern Virginia, it represents the culmination of a lifelong relationship with food and flavors. Her story begins in the Dominican Republic, where as a young girl she was first introduced to the fundamentals of cooking – peeling garlic, making seasonings, and learning the basics without modern kitchen gadgets. These early experiences laid the foundation for what would eventually become her passion and livelihood.

Cristina’s culinary awakening came at age 15 after moving to the United States. Finding herself hungry one day and unwilling to wait for her mother to return home, she decided to prepare a meal. Her mother’s delighted reaction to coming home to a prepared dinner sparked something in Cristina – the joy of providing nourishment and happiness through food. Though cooking became a constant in her life, preparing meals for family gatherings and even baking for weddings during her time in New York, she didn’t immediately pursue it professionally. The culinary school she dreamed of attending was prohibitively expensive, leading her instead to a 15-year career in banking.

The COVID-19 pandemic became the unexpected catalyst for Cristina’s career transformation. When she and many others lost their jobs during the economic upheaval, she found herself at a crossroads. An opportunity arose when she connected with a client seeking a personal chef to prepare meals in their home. This single connection launched what would become Fish Flavours by Cris, a service offering both private chef services during the week and event catering on weekends. Her business model focuses on highly personalized service – she prepares custom meals in clients’ homes Monday through Thursday, then creates beautiful grazing tables and catered experiences for events on weekends.

What makes Cristina’s approach special is her emphasis on cultural fusion and personalization. Drawing from her Dominican heritage and her husband’s Ecuadorian background, she creates what she describes as “abundant, joyful feasts with bold, unforgettable flavors.” She finds fascination in how different cultures often use the same ingredients but prepare them in vastly different ways, creating unique flavor profiles. This cultural appreciation informs her cooking philosophy, as she tailors each meal to her clients’ preferences while introducing them to new taste experiences. Her service goes beyond merely providing food – she delivers an experience that makes clients feel special, cared for, and connected to their meals in a more meaningful way than pre-packaged meal services can offer.

Cristina’s story is also one of personal resilience and transformation. As an immigrant who faced significant challenges – from cultural shock and language barriers to severe health issues that once left her with a three-month life expectancy – she has used these experiences to fuel her determination. Nearly 19 years after that health crisis, she reflects on how it changed her perspective and pushed her to pursue what truly brings her joy. Her business has become her way of communicating through food, bridging cultural divides and creating connections even when she and her clients don’t share the same language or background. The universal reaction to delicious food – that moment when someone takes their first bite and their face lights up with appreciation – is what Cristina considers her greatest reward and measure of success.

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