Summer fell stomach-over-head in love with the culinary arts when she studied abroad in Rome during the Spring of 2007. After months of gorging on pastas, pizzas and desserts, she returned home 10 pounds heavier and delightfully inspired. She tries to coordinate her love of comforting Italian food with fresh, local ingredients and strong flavors. Pasta and pizza dishes are her speciality, although she also is beginning to delve into more rustic dishes, inspired by the Swamp Yankee side of her family. She is frequently inspired by the creative food around her in Brooklyn. Most of her dishes would pair well with a fine red wine.

Her other hobbies include exploring New York City, reading about organized crime, the great outdoors, and eating at nice restaurants.

Summer is 26 years old. She teaches seventh grade Humanities in Manhattan. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband Dan. She has a B.A. in English Literature and an M.Ed. in English Education.