About Me

If Carrie Bradshaw were a gay dude living in Napa Valley…with a little Ryan Reynolds & Martha Stewart.

I’m Dan. I’m a home cook, turned writer & sommelier.

I grew up in San Diego, and am the youngest of 4 siblings. As a kid, I spent my afternoons after school watching the Food Network, with the lifelong dream of teaching people how to cook. When I was 25 I started @cookingforone1, which (long story short) led me to #CookingForONEHOPE. I moved to Napa Valley in 2018, where I now manage operations & the test kitchen at ONEHOPE Winery.

Among the many things I’ve learned in the trials & tribulations of my 20’s (which I will share with you in great detail here), is that you can’t pour into someone else’s cup if yours isn’t full first. I love eating well and being active. When I’m not writing, cooking or drinking wine, you likely can find me doing yoga, swimming, running, paddle boarding and a variety of other physical activities in my lifelong pursuit to find my abs.

I’m approximately 70% introvert / 30% extrovert. While I can easily fill a “hospitality weekend” (Mondays + Tuesdays = #DayOffDan) with a list of things I enjoy doing by myself, I love spending time with my incredible family and friends. I’ve realized recently that its really not about the destination or the journey, but rather than the people by your side along the way. That being said, as I turn the corner around 30 (and after “a little time, tequila and therapy”, as Old Dominion says) I think the most important relationship you have is the one with yourself.