Vanessa Silva

Vanessa Silva is the Founder and CEO of Culinary Artistas, a culinary school and event space located in the historic Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco.1 She established the company in 2016, driven by her passion for food and a desire to share it with her community.2

Background and Career

Vanessa's journey in the culinary world began in her childhood in Brazil, where she developed a love for cooking as a means of communication.5 Before founding Culinary Artistas, she worked in various roles:

• Digital Communications Consultant (2009-2016)
• Sr. Account Supervisor at Compass Healthcare Marketers (2013-2014)
• Founder of La Happy Belly (2012-2018)1

Culinary Artistas

Under Vanessa's leadership, Culinary Artistas has evolved into a multifaceted business offering:

• Children's cooking classes and camps
• Birthday parties and celebrations
• Corporate team-building experiences
• Family cooking events
• Monthly subscription boxes for at-home cooking2

The company aims to create a positive relationship between children and real food while teaching important concepts like mathematics, science, and teamwork.3

Entrepreneurial Journey

Vanessa's path as an entrepreneur has been marked by both challenges and successes:

• She initially partnered with another businesswoman to launch Culinary Artistas but had to take sole ownership after six months.5
• Faced with financial difficulties, she restructured the business with help from mentors and expanded services to include adult classes and corporate events.4
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vanessa pivoted the business to offer online cooking classes and cooking kits, resulting in a 25% revenue increase compared to 2019.4

Personal Philosophy

Vanessa is committed to creating a positive impact through food education and empowerment. She believes in:

• Strengthening connections through food-centered events
• Promoting health and sustainability through cooking
• Empowering both children and adults to develop a positive relationship with food12

Vanessa continues to grow Culinary Artistas, drawing inspiration from culinary icons like Alice Waters and focusing on creating a supportive environment for her employees and the community.4