Isa Bourbon:

Isa is one of the most enthusiastic and passionate cooks you will ever meet. The first thing she says when anyone walks into her kitchen is; “Taste this, isn’t it amazing?” Many people say they get hungry being around Isa since she is often describing the vegetables she has picked from her garden or some new sauce she just created. She is equally passionate about theater and working with kids. She has been an assistant director for the Santa Barbara Middle School theater company for the last year and she can’t wait to bring all these interests together this summer with Operation C.H.E.F.

Camilla Bourbon:

Camilla has been cooking her whole life; her early experiments were dishes like scrambled eggs with honey, which she made for her sisters. Although theses dishes where not always well received they helped her to develop her wide-ranging and fearless palate. She is a Rhode Island School of Design graduate and a working artist. For her, food is art and she can’t wait to bring her love of balance, texture, color and plating design to the Operation C.H.E.F. kitchen. She has spent the last 2 years doing costume design for a youth theater company and is inspired by this age group’s talent, energy and abilities. Being around the Bourbons means getting in the kitchen, laughing, dancing and definitely eating well.


Ray Plosscowe:

Ray was a latch-key kid who learned to cook out of necessity and discovery. Making the connection between well being and a healthy diet began his journey through macrobiotics, veganism, raw foods, ayurveda and s.l.o.w. foods. He became a certified chef and instructor through Living Light Culinary Arts Institute in 2003 and later became the founding chef at Cafe Gratitude in San Francisco -- one of the many places he has taught classes. Among his favorite experiences was teaching a mother and her 4-year old daughter how to make a delicious healthy meal together.

Ben Bogin:

This is my second year at Operation C.H.E.F. and I'm very excited to be back. I love this camp because I get to help prepare food in a beautiful location with friends who are as passionate about good food as I am. There's nothing better than cooking a delicious and healthy meal and then enjoying it with friends, and that's exactly what every day at Op C.H.E.F. is about. After graduating Marin Academy (my high school), I'm coming to camp straight from a family trip to Italy where I found myself newly inspired by the wonderful food we ate there. Besides cooking, I also enjoy an active lifestyle, and I'm getting back into running, biking, and doing core, after taking a break to give my body a rest.


Mitch Thompson:

I'm a 16 year old going to be a Junior at Redwood High School. I play baseball and basketball. I am currently practicing to play basketball in Israel for a National team. I just recently got my license. I love to cook, which is large in part the reason why I was so interested in working at Operation C.H.E.F. Not only do I cook and bake a lot but, since I'm an athlete, I cook mainly healthy foods so I can maintain my endurance and strength when playing my sports. I can't wait for Operation C.H.E.F!!!

Sophia Dauria:

I recently graduated from Marin Academy in June of 2011 and am attending Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia in the fall. I began working with the Operation C.H.E.F. team three years ago because I wanted to share my passion for cooking whole and healthy foods. As a student athlete, I have learned how important a well-balanced and unprocessed diet is and OpCHEF has given me the opportunity to teach others a few years younger than me the same mentality.




Margaret Easter:

Hey my name is Margaret and I’m now a senior at Santa Barbara High. One of my absolute favorite things to do is cook. I love creating something out of nothing and if I’m ever feeling sad cooking is my perfect fix. I recently discovered that I have a sensitivity to gluten and dairy which has forced me to become super aware of all the ingredients in food. It has really opened my eyes to the ways in which foods effect our bodies and this is one of the reasons I’m so excited to work with operation CHEF this summer. I can’t wait to see what we create and I know its going to be amazing!

Co-Founder:  David Beitchman:

David incorporated healthy eating practices into his own life after he was diagnosed with diabetes in 2001. He holds a B.A. from Harvard and an M.A. in Education from UCSB, where he first developed an interest in the connection between nutrition and academic performance. David has worked as a middle school Nutrition and P.E. teacher in Mill Valley, and is a certified Nutrition Educator. He loves planning out meals and has a weird obsession with grocery shopping!

Co-Founder:  Shannon Beitchman:


Shannon brings extensive experience to Operation C.H.E.F., having worked with youth as a teacher, after-school program director, and youth center coordinator. A certified Nutrition Educator, graduate of Georgetown University, and San Rafael native, Shannon is excited to be empowering the youth in her community to make healthful choices. When Shannon is not in the kitchen, she loves swimming, dancing, playing board games and sports, and being silly. She definitely has a competitive streak, so be warned before engaging in any games with her!