Mary Karlin, a longtime resident of Sonoma, is a staff instructor and the Hospitality Manager at Ramekins Culinary School in Sonoma, awarded the 2005 Award of Excellence, ‘Best Cooking School of the Year’ from the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP).

Inspired by these experiences and combined with a passion for gardening, cooking ‘with the seasons’, and creating flavorful, nutritious food, Mary shares that love in her seasonally-inspired cooking classes and with those who experience her presentations. HealthFULL living is an important element of her work as a nutritionist and ongoing student of current nutrition issues. Her investigative nature and passion for discovery and sharing are generously woven into her work.

In the early 90’s as Sonoma became noticed for it’s artisan foods, wine and creative chefs, then-gourmet -kitchen- shop owner Mary recognized the interests of both customers and local chefs to share their love for cooking so she created private cooking classes in her home, instructed by soon-to-become culinary stars of Sonoma County.

Mary then served for three years as the Retail-Restaurant Liaison and Event Coordinator for Select Sonoma County, a nonprofit agricultural marketing organization that developed promotions, educational programs and marketing opportunities for Sonoma County’s agricultural producers.

Over the last ten years, Mary has coordinated numerous culinary tours,winemaker dinner classes and food & wine events showcasing the artisan producers and growers of Sonoma, Marin and Napa.

Mary is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP ) and the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF), Northern California Chapter. She is also a former member Board of Directors and Marketing Chair of Sonoma County Farm Trails.

Mary’s creative entrepreneurial spirit as business owner, marketing agent and passionate cook has contributed to her involvement in a variety of culinary projects:

As a valuable "link" to the growers and producers of the Wine Country’s culinary bounty, Mary's passion for the local food and wine producers and their products is fed by her flavorful nutrition-focused work as instructor, consultant and guide in her culinary endeavor, Elements of Taste.