Elaine Rivera
Chef— Ondie

Elaine began her cooking career under the guiding influence of her parents, Cesar & Bruni, both from Puerto Rico. Her parents were very serious about feeding their family of eight people. They were also serious about tennis. According to plan, Elaine attended University on a tennis scholarship and graduated with a degree in psychology. For the next dozen years she worked as a tennis instructor, personal trainer, and she waited tables in various restaurants. Towards the end of this period, Elaine began to notice in herself a real interest in food. Only as an adult did she realize that food really was more than just sustenence. Just as her father, Cesar, had shown her, food was a labor that began with a bottle of wine, carefully picked ingredients, and good company. The end results of these endeavors was a beautiful meal bringing family and friend together for conversation.

Now becoming more serious about cooking, Elaine moved to San Francisco. She trained in an "Italian" kitchen, under the direction of then Executive Chef Paul Bertolli. Sven years later she left, with a newly comprehensive understanding of kitchen techniques and applications. Elaine then took positions as Chef in two different restaurants in the east bay. Since July of 2009 she's been Event Chef at Ondine.