Hi I’m Chef Candice Ray.  I am a Philadelphia native (Go Eagles), the start of my career as a chef derives from a lineage of self proclaimed chefs my grandmother and mother. In 2014 after completing culinary school I officially started as a line cook at an Italian American restaurant owned by Marcy Turney in Center City called Little Nonnas! I spent 3 years there and left as a sous chef Nonna’s played a big role in helping to perfect my techniques of making sauces and pasta from scratch daily. 

I went on to become the Executive Chef at El Poquito Cantina in Chestnut hill, PA where I spent 3 years honing in on Mexican American cuisine learning and creating fun and fresh menu items daily while leading and growing a team of line cooks, prep cooks and other staff to consistent kitchen excellence.

During the Covid Pandemic in 2020 I opened Chef Life Catering LLC providing great menus weekly, ranging from hand made pasta dishes, soul food, soups, & incredible desserts. I also provide meal preps, private events, and cooking lessons. I’m currently a sous chef at Huntington Valley country club, where I met and have been mentored by Chef Christine Hazel for 2 years. 

Cooking is truly my passion it’s something about layers of flavor and watching something as simple as a tomato become the base of an entire dish that really drives me to create.