Liney Gonzalez's passion for cooking began early, inspired by her grandmother and mother. Liney would spend time in the kitchen with her grandmother, preparing meals like sopa de fideo and her favorite dish, pasta verde. Without electronics to 

distract her, cooking became not just a hobby but a way to connect with her family and express herself creatively. She has been able to get a taste of the restaurant life where she occasionally helped in the kitchen. The respectful and supportive environment sparked her interest in pursuing a career as a private chef.  Eager to learn more about fine tuning the skills she learned with her family along with how a restaurant works she found Sprouts. She was placed with Chef Eric Tucker at Millennium. It was here that she was able to really understand what it takes to become a chef. 

She has enjoyed working with her mentor chefs, particularly Ronnie and Josh, who have guided her through different aspects of kitchen life. Whether prepping ingredients, dicing vegetables, or plating desserts, Liney has embraced every opportunity to learn. She even discovered a newfound love for pastry work after assisting Chef Josh, especially when she mastered spreading sauces with the back of a spoon and drizzling chocolate. Her favorite dessert? The chocolate torte, a dish she now dreams of recreating. Through this internship, Liney has developed confidence in her knife skills, improved her organization, and learned to handle the high-pressure environment of a professional kitchen. She is especially proud of how far she’s come in cutting onions and tomatoes evenly—skills she once found challenging.

Outside of cooking, Liney enjoys studying human anatomy and psychology and is currently teaching herself how to crochet flowers. This experience has not only expanded Liney’s culinary repertoire but also boosted her confidence, helping her step out of her comfort zone and network within the industry. With dreams of becoming a private chef and creating unique dishes that reflect her journey, Liney is excited to see where her culinary skills take her next. For Liney, food is not just sustenance but an art form and a tool for connection. She hopes to someday create meals that bring people together, much like her grandmother's cooking did for her family.