Born and raised in Cali, Colombia, Claudia’s love for food was first sparked around the family table and nurtured through her travels across her home country and the world. Her connection to the American South began in 2007 during a year-long exchange program in Greenwood, South Carolina—a place that left a lasting impression and quietly paved the way for her return years later.
After earning a degree in psychology and working in the field for several years, Claudia made the leap to pursue her culinary passion, enrolling at the Escuela Gastronómica de Occidente in Cali. Her kitchen career took root in Colombia before she relocated to Greenville, SC in early 2021. Since then, she has collaborated with local chefs and played a key role in launching restaurants and bakeries across the Upstate.
Deeply rooted in her Colombian heritage and driven by a respect for tradition, Claudia is the founder of Modelo Private Dining, an intimate culinary experience where storytelling meets bold, soulful flavors. Her latest venture, Luna Café – Bakehouse & Coffee Shop, is set to open in Simpsonville in the summer of 2025.
