Tara-Peri Chicken™ delivers our family’s heritage specialties of the American Coastal South with the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean and coastal Africa—creating a rich tapestry of fresh, multiethnic cuisine that celebrates diverse cultural influences.
Experience
Chef & Culinary Expert at Williams-Sonoma
2019 – 2020 Pittsburgh, PA
Cooking class instruction and daily food preparation for store presentations
Senior Copywriter & Copyeditor at Nestlé USA Headquarters
2007 – 2008 Glendale, CA
Developed brand-focused consumer collateral, promotional materials and digital communications across the full portfolio of Nestlé products.
My role required strict editing for trademark compliance, including direct collaboration with the legal department to ensure regulatory accuracy.
Corporate and Event Caterer at La Prima Food Group
1996 – 1998 Washington, DC
La Prima Catering is rated “Best Green Caterer” as the leading corporate and social caterer on the east coast
Education
Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production Internal Auditor at International Register of Certificated Auditors
2013 – Present Los Angeles, CA
.
Harvard ManageMentor® certifications at Harvard Business School
2014 – Present
Presentation Skills • Feedback Essentials • Coaching • Time Management • Innovation & Creativity • Innovation Implementation • Team Leadership
ServSafe® Food Protection Manager certifications at National Restaurant Association
2022 – 2027
B.A., English, Communication & Humanities at University of Pittsburgh
2013 Pittsburgh, PA
Awards
Top 2.3% ‘Places to Eat Pittsburgh’ out of 6913 Eateries, Restaurant Guru
We appreciate your loyalty, zeal, enthusiasm and insistence on sharing what we do with so many!
‘Best Breakfast and Brunch in Pittsburgh’, Nextdoor
Thank you to the 326 neighborhoods in Pittsburgh that voted for us to be named “Best Breakfast and Brunch in Pittsburgh”!
‘Neighborhood Fave’, Nextdoor
Thank you again, Pittsburgh!
‘Recommended,’ Certificate of Excellence, Restaurant Guru
Original Winning Recipe, Maine Lobster Promotion Council (MLPC)
Herbed Bread Pudding with Maine Lobster & Cassava with a Tangerine Coulis
Exhibitions
UPMC Kamin Tower Residency Multilevel Residency
UPMC Kamin Tower Pittsburgh, PA
Launching January 24, 2027 on two levels—1st level, featuring Mom’s unique multiethnic cards and prints & 2nd for our sweet and savory grab-and-go specialties!
‘A Passion for Wine’ Featured Chef, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Black-Tie Fundraiser
Sheraton Station Square Downtown Pittsburgh
November 20, 2026 from 5:30-11:00pm
Chef Tara returns to present 600 bespoke hors d’oeuvres and desserts and will auction another Portuguese feast for 10
UPMC - The Diabetic Pastry Chef™ Pop-Ups
UPMC Presbyterian Hospital 11th Floor Cafeteria Foyer
Upcoming Appearances:
- May 18th
- July 13th
- August 12th
JUNETEENTH SOULebration 2026 Foundational Black American Heritage Celebration
Market Square Downtown Pittsburgh, PA
June 19-21, 2026
NFL Draft Sports
Allegheny Commons Park North Side, Pittsburgh
April 23-25, 2026
I Made It! Holiday Market
The Galleria Mt. Lebanon
November 22, 2025 from 10am-4pm
‘A Passion for Wine’ Featured Chef, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Black-Tie Fundraiser
Sheraton Station Square Downtown Pittsburgh
November 21, 2025 from 5:30-11:00pm
Chef Tara will be presenting 600 bespoke ‘Carolina Croustillants’ hors d’oeuvres and auctioning a Portuguese feast for 10
Harambee 57th Annual Black Arts and Culture Festival Cultural
Outdoors 708 Homewood Ave.
August 2-3, 2025
JUNETEENTH SOULebration 2025 Foundational Black American Heritage Celebration
Mellon Spray Park Shadyside
June 19-22, 2025
BAKE IT! Food Expo
GoodTaste! Pittsburgh Monroeville Convention Center
GoodTaste! Pittsburgh is excited to bring another amazing baking expo to W. Pennsylvania!
Saturday, March 16, 2025
1-6pm
Savoring the Freshness of the South Cooking Class
Third Space Bakery Pittsburgh, PA
Join us on August 14th, from 6-8pm at Third Space Bakery, as we make Southern Tomato Pie, Collards Chiffonade, Lemon-Mint Sparklers and Southern Lace Cookies.
Dessert Tables Farmers’ Market
Market Square Farmers’ Market Downtown Pittsburgh
In collaboration with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, we're here on Thursdays throughout the summer. Taste how sweet the sugar-free life can be!
Dessert Tables Outdoor Market
Trader Jack's Bridgeville, PA
Our most popular cookies and pastries are available at Trader Jack's every weekend—yes, including our Pineapple Desires!
BAKE IT! Food Festival with Baking Demos
GoodTaste! Pittsburgh Food Festival Pittsburgh, PA
GoodTaste! Pittsburgh is excited to bring a new and unique show to W. Pennsylvania - BAKE IT!
Sunday, March 12, 2023
Sheraton Station Square
1:00pm – 6:00pm
I Made It! Farmer's Market
The Block Northway Ross Township, PA
We're located in The Block Northway Farmer's Market every Friday this summer. Visit us to get your traditional and sugar-free items and chat with us!
Last-Minute Market Outdoor Holiday Market
I Made It! Strip District, PA
Visit us in the Strip District on Dec. 17th to get your last-minute holiday gifts—food, gift baskets, Mom's cookbooks and more!
I Made It! store Retail
The Mall at Robinson Robinson, PA
Our retail products (cookies, salsas, gift baskets and more) are available in this store, located on the ground floor.
South Park Community Day Town Fair
South Park Fairgrounds South Park, PA
Join us at this annual outdoor event; our most popular handmade sauces, jams, seasonings and pastries will be there!
Date & Time: Sat., Sept. 15, 2018 12pm-dusk
Williams-Sonoma® Local Artisans Market Market
The Galleria Mt. Lebanon, PA
Join us on the 1st Sat. of each month for sampling and sale of our sweet and savory goodies!
Next Date & Time: Sat., Oct. 6, 2018 from 12-4pm
Williams-Sonoma® Cooking Class Series Discovering Roots: Portuguese Cooking
The Galleria Mt. Lebanon, PA
CLASS MENU: Peri-Peri Chicken, Roasted Oregano Potatoes, Salada Algarvia, Sangria & Olive Oil Cake
Date & Time: Fri., August 24, 2018 at 6:30pm
Williams-Sonoma® Cooking Demo Philips® Air-Fryer Demo
The Galleria Mt. Lebanon, PA
Learn Tara’s healthy crispy air-fried chicken techniques!
You won’t want to miss her kitchen magic.
Date & Time: Sat., April 7, 2018 at 12:00pm
Williams-Sonoma® Cooking Class Series Lenten Meal Ideas
The Galleria Mt. Lebanon, PA
CLASS MENU: Vinho Verde-Poached Citrus Salmon, Layered Salad, Toasted Almond Rice Pilaf & Sweet Potato Frittata
Date & Time: Fri., March 2, 2018 at 6:30pm
Williams-Sonoma® Cooking Class Series Jambalaya!
The Galleria Mt. Lebanon, PA
Tara will be showing you how to make authentic Creole Jambalaya, featuring her famous Jambalaya Seasoning!
Date & Time: Sun., October 15, 2017 at 12:00pm
The Lynne Hayes-Freeland Show Television
CBS affiliates WPCW & KDKA Pittsburgh, PA
Catch us on The Lynne Hayes-Freeland Show on Sat. & Sun., Dec. 23rd and Christmas Eve, at 7:30am & 6:00am respectively!