A native of New Orleans, Chef Brenda Buenviaje was born into a creative Filipino-Creole household that nurtured her love of food and the arts. Upon graduation from Louisiana State University with a BFA in Painting and Drawing, she remained in New Orleans to follow her first love, cooking. Buenviaje began her career by cooking at many notable restaurants in the Crescent City including the highly acclaimed Mike’s on the Avenue where she was hired as a pantry cook and quickly promoted to Chef de Cuisine. Upon arrival to the Bay Area, she was hired as the Executive Chef of Fusion pioneer restaurant Oritalia where, after its move to Union Square, she garnered much positive attention.