A loan helped .


Tina's story

My passion is cooking tasty regional cuisines featuring fresh, local, organic and natural meats, vegetables and fruits. Before I graduated from the California Culinary Academy and attended the Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School in Paris, I was taught to bake pies by my Aunt Audye. Her teaching led me to create an apple pie that won Blue Ribbon for the Best Apple Pie at the State Fair of Texas, a Blue Ribbon for the Best Chocolate Pecan Pie at the Blanco County Fair and other awards.

I was raised on Texas BarBQ and studied the technique of the famous smokehouse chef Sonny Bryan in Dallas. At the California Culinary Academy I developed the recipe for my signature dish Tea-Smoked Salmon. I am bringing all the cooking skills I learned in Texas, California and France together at Smoke Berkeley.

Prior to my attending the California Culinary Academy I supervised a kitchen to train the homeless how to cook and serve patrons for Rubicon Programs. Next I oversaw five live kitchens in the San Francisco Design Center.

With Smoke Berkeley I have committed to hiring and training the formerly incarcerated. I am proud that my former employees have been able to improve their skills and become more hire able at Smoke Berkeley. Several have gone on to become professional cooks, Muni Bus drivers and even long haul truckers.


This loan is special because:

It helps a female entrepreneur expand her business and bring Texas BBQ to the Bay Area.



Loan details


About Smoke Berkeley LLC

Industry: Food
Years in operation: New Business
Website: smokeberkeley.com

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Loan details