Born in Seattle as the oldest of six, Kaite’s passion for food began early, nurtured by her foodie parents. They tasked her with cooking dinner twice a week for their family of eight. This responsibility helped her develop a unique ability to visualize flavors before even creating a dish, laying the foundation for her culinary journey. Recognizing her passion, her father introduced her to a fine dining chef who mentored her every Saturday, eventually leading her to become a Sous Chef at a young age.  

Though she pursued a career in Naval Intelligence, Katie’s love for cooking never waned.  She cooked elaborate meals, like Prime Rib and Peppermint Chocolate Cake, in a barracks kitchen, winning over her future husband and friends.  After moving to Dubois County in 2020, Katie ran a baking business, Mama Bird Baking Co., but soon realized she wanted to expand her creative horizons.  Meeting Josh Emmons through a mutual friend reignited her passion, and she was thrilled to join Butcher & Barrel where she now crafts our exquisite desserts.