Meet Mayumi

My love for teaching began with over 17 years of experience working in various restaurants across Oregon and San Francisco, followed by 7 years as the director of a Bay Area cooking school. After my second son was born, I branched out on my own to enjoy a flexible schedule and spend more individual, meaningful time with my students. This is why I created Fork&Knife Creations.

As a Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist, my passion for healthy cooking is deeply personal. After having my second child, I struggled with gradual weight gain and fatigue until I saw a photo of myself and decided to make a change. I paired regular exercise with extensive nutritional research, completely clearing out processed foods from my pantry and replacing them with nutritious, home-cooked alternatives. This shift not only broke my health plateaus but substantially lowered my long-term health risks—a mission close to my heart after losing my own mother to cancer at age 56. I truly believe that learning to cook is essential to lifelong health.

Driven by this love for education and nutrition, I began teaching adaptive culinary skills right in my hometown of Sacramento, starting with just three incredible SDP clients. Watching those first students build true confidence, gain independence, and proudly master their kitchens completely captured my heart. That profound impact fueled my passion to expand our mission. Today, we have grown into a dedicated team of professional chef instructors providing life-changing, adaptive culinary lessons to families all over California.

I am honored to guide your family on this journey. If you are ready to start, please reach out today!

Sincerely,

Mayumi Tavalero

Owner Fork&Knife Creations

916-505-4422

ForkandKnifeCreations@gmail.com