WHO WE ARE
RENANA SHVIL
Renana has been a cooking instructor for the past 14 years. She has also been a preschool teacher in a Montessori school in Brooklyn and in a preschool in Westchester. She brings with her the understanding of child development and the creative methods of educating young children.
Food education has become a passion and mission for Renana. Talking with children about making healthier choices for meals and snacks, as they become older and more independent, should be a constant process. Children should be engaged in food preparation from start to finish; from bare ingredients to a finished product.
In her lessons, Renana focuses on healthy and delicious ingredients, and familiarizes students with simple and natural ways of satisfying their appetite. Renana offers private or group lessons at home, after school programs, workshops for parents and teachers as well as birthday parties to children of all ages. In addition, she develops cooking curricula for schools and camps.
In Spring of 2016 Renana opened the gates to her own kitchen at Fiddleheads Cooking Studio in Westchester, NY. Presently, Renana and the other instructors teach at Crawford Mansion, Chappaqua Community Center and a select schools in Westchetser and Fairfield Counties.
NANCY SILVER
Nancy is a Chappaqua resident with her husband, Barrett, for over 29 years. She raised two children, Casey and Jake, here, who are fantastic and passionate cooks and bakers and most of their conversations and communication revolve around their favorite recipes and their love of good food.
Nancy is currently a personal chef and long time caterer, and has worked in the school district teaching kids in the after school enrichment program and at Chappaqua Children’s Workshop. She also taught cooking for a few summers at Wagon Road Camp, which is a wonderful community locale, where she still works in their team building program.
Nancy also is on the board of the Chappaqua Farmers Market, as well as on the Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program, two organizations which have changed lives and made a huge impact on so many residents in town. Nancy Is happy to be a part of the Fiddleheads team and continue to share her knowledge and love for good food with kids and their families.
STEPHANIE WRIGHT
Stephanie is an Ayurvedic chef, Ayurvedic Health Counselor and former Chef de Cuisine of the Assemblage who develops and curates culinary programming that emphasizes the importance of local, seasonal and sustainable cooking practices.
Her in-depth knowledge of Ayurveda, including a certification in Ayurvedic Nutrition and Culinary studies from Bhagavat Life and 600 hour Ayurvedic Health Counselor training, inform her work as a culinary educator, event producer and consultant for clients such as Google, FamilyCook Productions, Illuminate Foods and Burlap and Barrel.
By approaching cuisine through the perspective of digestion, Stephanie develops customized recipes for individuals as well as organizations that serve populations with specific dietary guidelines such as the NFL-sponsored Fuel Up to Play 60 program, the New York City Department of Education, the American Kidney Fund and the American Dairy Council.
Stephanie is honored to be teaching at Fiddleheads Cooking Studio and is so excited to help people deepen their relationship to food and to themselves.
MICHELLE SCORRANO
Michelle Scorrano, a former elementary school teacher, received her culinary of arts certificate at the Natural Gourmet Institute in 2019. She has worked at Skinny Buddha and Bobo's Cafe as a chef, and currently owns and operates Shelli’s Bellies, a personal chef business creating meals for athletes and families.
Michelle is excited to teach at Fiddleheads Cooking Studio, combining her two passions, education and food. She loves spending time in the kitchen developing menus, testing recipes and sharing her love for food with her family, friends and clients.
JULIA JOHNSON
Julia is a graduate of Hamilton College and of the professional culinary program at the International Culinary Center. She started her career teaching elementary school at Greenwich Country Day School before pursuing her love of food professionally. Since then, she has worked at Martha Stewart Living as Chef Emeril Lagasse’s Brand Manager, in the test kitchen of Saveur Magazine as a recipe tester, in the kitchen of Sunday Suppers as the Head of Culinary Development, and has consulted for professional chefs and television hosts on Food Network and the Cooking Channel.
She now does ongoing photography and recipe development projects for various food brands, works as a private chef, and teaches cooking classes. She is thrilled to be a part of the team at Fiddleheads Cooking Studio, where she combines her experiences in both elementary education and professional cooking.
TESTIMONIALS
"Renana Shvil-Tobi has presented programs at the Warner Library since the spring of 2015. She approached me as a volunteer and generously offered to plan and conduct cooking programs for young children and their caregivers. These programs took off with the public almost immediately, and her current session is "sold-out" with repeat and new participants alike. Renana is a pleasure to work with, and the little ones and adults alike love her enthusiasm, knowledge, and delicious creations! She ties each program in with a book, making for a perfect library event. Renana's generosity of time and talent is much appreciated at the library."
Patricia Cohn, Children's Librarian, Warner Library Tarrytown, NY
"My 2.5 year old daughter LOVES Cooking with Renana! Since we started the class, my daughter has taken a much bigger interest in helping me cook at home, due in no small part to Renana's upbeat, hands on approach. She has been more willing to taste different flavors (even raw green veggies!) and has gained an understanding of how food makes its way to her plate, as well as a sense of pride in eating something delicious that she has helped prepare. I am grateful to Renana for helping my daughter and I have a bonding experience in the kitchen."
Elly Kelly, Tarrytown Mom