Educated at the Cordon Bleu, my mom was my mentor she trained me all her life.

My passion for cooking is surpassed only by my love for fine art. The marriage of these two talents has only enhanced my skills in the conception and presentation of all my dishes.

A great meal is like a work of art. It should be pleasing to the eye, as well as the nose and palate.

I come from the Mediterranean world, where eating is the highlight of the day, to be looked forward to and enjoyed as in performing a sacred ritual.

• Admirable experience in dealing with organic ingredients
• Ability to quickly engage with others
• Making decision and solving problems
• Deep knowledge and understanding of dietary restrictions related to health and diet preferences (gluten free, vegetarian, etc.)
• Profound knowledge of plating simple food in interesting and attractive manner
• Keen experience in food preparation and presentation
• Fluent in nutritional content of food items
• Skilled at using homegrown fresh fruits, vegetable and high-quality food ingredients
• Highly experienced with food styling

• December 2021 became Ambassador of Gastronomy and Culture of Lazio
• December 2021 became Ambassador of True Italian Taste
• April 2021 Certificate of honor for my career as Italian Chef Associazione Cuochi Italiani
• Board Director of the Italy-America Chamber of commerce West
• April 2020 Honored as “Chef of the Month” by Florida-based Chef Uniforms.
• Best female Chef 2019 in USA Gayot guide
• Best new Restaurant in USA 2019 Gayot guide
• January 2019 became Ambassador del Gusto in USA the only Italian Ambassador in the USA.
• August 2019 Became brand Ambassador for Rustichella d’Abruzzo

• March 2020 to August 2021 Executive Chef of Domingo’s Italian Deli. Update all recipes and integrate knowledge and expectation of all celebrated Traditional Italian Recipes.  Proudly collaborated with all community our reach efforts to feed Healthcare Heroes and First Responders during Pandemic
• March 2018 to March 2020, Partner and Executive Chef of Heroic Deli and Heroic Wine bar in Santa Monica, CA.
• October 2014 to March 2018 Personal Chef and House Manager for the Crivelli family of Bel Air, CA.
• September 2013 to October 2014 Private Chef for Mitch Kupchak and family (General Manager Los Angeles Lakers)
• Sept 2013 – Sept 2014 Private Chef every Monday morning for Sharon Jackson
• September 2012 to Oct 2014, Collaboration with Well Done Catering as Head Chef of the company, cooking for the VIP room of American Idol, The Voice, and Dancing with the Stars, Hollywood Game Night, and Oprah Winfrey.
• August 2011- August 2012 Executive Chef for the Country Kitchen in TN,

-Constantly evaluating meals and food products to ensure that the highest quality standards are maintained.

-Cooking and serving attractive meals made to individual requirements.

-Demonstrating cooking techniques and the correct use of equipment to staff.

-Overseeing the work of the junior catering staff to ensure that all duties are carried out correctly.

-Involved in the recruiting and hiring of all kitchen staff.

-Carrying out regular temperature checks on fridges, freezers and food storage areas.

-Maintaining a safe kitchen area and hygienic working environment.

-Ensuring that the larder is well stocked and that adequate food supplies are always available.

-Create menu, management of kitchen staff; ordering and purchasing of inventory; and plating design.

• March 2008 – May 2010

Private Chef for Marta Kauffman, Television writer and Producer.

-Prepared healthy, fresh and seasonal organic food as per given schedule.

-Performed amicable with personal assistant of family to develop menus every week.

-Managed inventory, grocery purchase and placed wine orders.

-Prepared high-volume meals for social and professional gatherings held at private

residence.

• February 2007 to February 2008, Private Chef for the Marciano family, owner of GUESS brand. Made dinner daily, as well as ready-to-heat and serve meals weekends.  Did 90% of all shopping, maintained and stocked most food items for family and guest.  Set table and served all meals for family and guest.  Effectively responded to last minute changes to meal times and plans; changes could include additional guests, which location they would like to have lunch or dinner served in, option of packed up for delivery to office or as take out.  When guests where in residence I was the only one to provide any service on request.  This could be anything from snacks (freshly baked scones, brownies, cookies), coffee, to-go meals to specialty items required for diet and preferences.

• March 2005 to January 2007, Private Chef for the Chouchan family owner of Roche Boboise.

-My daily duties included breakfast, lunch and all snack foods.

-I was also responsible for maintaining all food stocks in the house.

• 2000 to 2005, established Catering and a school of Italian cuisine” in Casalpalocco, Rome.

• 1999 to 2005 held weekly courses of Italian Cuisine for foreign students at Villa Kiara’ in Campagnano, Rome.

2021 Winner of Chopped Season 51 episode 1 on food Network

2018 won a photo contest as food stylist for the company https://www.oneida.com

2018 won a food photo contest 9^th edition of The Taste of Award Food Photo Awards www.thetasteawards.com

2018 Won a cooking contest in San Diego Culinary Fight Club, in San Diego.

2017 Won food photo contest foodelia.us

2017 won a food photo contest 8^th edition of The Taste of Award Food Photo Awards www.thetasteawards.com

2017 won a cooking competition for Barilla pasta Represent your Region

2016 start a Youtube channel: Kitchen 90210 by Barbara Pollastrini

2015 Contestant on Tv Show Cutthroat Kitchen (Food Network)

Owner of Barbyla’s Secret Dinner pop up restaurant www.kitchen90210.com

2011 Food stylist for the movie “The Hunger Game”

2011 Food stylist for the Tv series LUCK for HBO starring Dustin Hoffman

2011 Food stylist for the movie The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo starring Daniel Craig

2010 November, Food stylist assistant for the movie The Muppets starring Amy Adams.

2010 March Food stylist for commercial Wudy Aia in Italy for KOOK Agency

2007, food stylist assistant for Star Trek 2008 movie.

2007, food stylist assistant for “He’s Just Not That Into You” movie, with, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Afflek, Drew Barrymore.

2007, Food Stylist assistant for Food Network television – Chef for TV Show “Ultimate Recipe Showdown”

2004, wrote her own column: “In cucina da noi” (tr: In our kitchen) for the monthly magazine “La Cucina Italiana”.

2004 to 2006 wrote two cooking course books, one basic cooking course, and one pastry course.

2003 to 2005, consultant for the restaurant “Beef” in Rome, creating and enhancing the menu.

2002, she appeared on “Etruschi No Okurimono”: a television show about reproducing an Etruscan meal, for the Japanese TV network ‘T.B.S.’ (Tokyo Broadcasting System).

2002 to 2005, periodically appeared on the TV show “Questo l’ho Fatto Io”, on the ‘Gambero Rosso Channel’ network.

Professional training:

• Courses and Diplomas, ‘Cordon Bleu’  (Rome, Italy)

Basic general Cuisine, High Cuisine: Advanced International cooking, Pastry chef

Monographic Courses, ‘Cordon Bleu School’ in Rome:

Italian Christmas Dinner, Chocolate, Italian bread, focaccia and pizza, Handmade  pasta, cakes, Fried cakes, Mediterranean Cuisine, Brioches & croissant, Easter meal, Seafood, Spoon Cakes, Casserole & pâtés, Artichokes, Cold Dinner

• Educations:

Diploma of “Cuisine Teacher”, ‘A.I.C.I.’ (Associazione Insegnanti Cucina Italiana) (tr: Italian Association of Cuisine Teachers)

• Diploma of “First Level Sommelier”, ‘Enoteca Trimani’
• Professional Qualification of “Expert in Catering Services organization and management”, ‘I.F.C.’ (Istituto di Formazione Cooperativo della Regione Lazio). (tr: Institute for the Cooperative Formation of Regione Lazio)
• Member of the ‘Professional Association of Italian Chefs in Italy
• Scholar of the history of cooking arts, from the Etruscans to present

Certification:
ServSafe certified

Languages:
Italian
English

References available upon request