Cooking Has Always Been Part of Her Life

For Alisha, cooking did not begin in culinary school or in a restaurant kitchen. It began at home.

As the oldest of four siblings with a single working mom, she was in the kitchen often, making breakfast and dinner and packing lunches before the day started. Over time, those everyday meals became more than just part of the routine. They became the place where her passion for food really took root.

That passion followed her into adulthood and eventually into leadership. In 2017, she became a kitchen manager and chef working in the National Parks. Her work took her across the country to places like Death Valley National Park, Olympic National Park, Zion National Park, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Yellowstone National Park, along with a private park in West Virginia.

Each stop strengthened her skills and deepened her experience, but the heart of her cooking stayed the same. Feed people well and make food that people genuinely enjoy.

Bringing That Passion to the Co-op

Alisha joined the Bozeman Co-op Downtown team in November 2025 as Kitchen Manager. What she loves most about her role is the Co-op's mission.

"I love what the Co-op stands for. Being able to provide local, organic, fresh food to the people of Bozeman means a lot to me. Food is my passion, and providing a great source of it for our community is a huge part of why I love working here."

One thing she wishes more shoppers knew is just how much the Downtown kitchen does from scratch. Behind the hot bar and salad bar is a small, talented team that makes much of the food from scratch each day. A lot of care and hands on work goes into what ends up on the line each day.

Creativity in the Kitchen

Alisha especially enjoys the seasonal events the Co op hosts throughout the year. Citrus Fest was a standout for her. For the event, she prepared an upscale homestyle Osso Bucco alongside a toasted coconut and key lime pudding.

Since then, she has been offering a different pudding flavor each week. So far, mocha, a blend of coffee and chocolate, has been a clear crowd favorite.

Her all time favorite dish to make is always changing because she loves to experiment. Right now she is focused on homemade flavored caramels and playing with different flavored caviar pearls at home.

When it comes to her favorite ingredients, she keeps it simple. Garlic, thyme, and wine. Together, she says, they create some of the most heavenly savory dishes.

She is known for cooking eggs perfectly to order. When she hosts, everyone puts in what they want and she makes each breakfast individually. For her sister’s wedding, she made her famous biscuits and gravy with buttermilk biscuits from scratch and cooked eggs to order for everyone. It was a huge hit.

A Moment That Stood Out

When asked about a favorite memory at the Co-op so far, she does not hesitate.

“My favorite Co-op memory thus far was the Christmas Stroll,” she says. “I’ve never seen so many people out and about and the line was out of the Co-op door. Every person had a smile on their face and it was momentous.”

Moments like that remind her why she does what she does. Food has a way of bringing people together.

Life Outside the Kitchen

At home, she has a dog, a cat, and some fish, and she loves spending time outdoors when she is not working. Camping with her dog, hiking, paddle boarding, and photography fill much of her free time.

Her photography has sold more than a dozen times, from astrophotography of the Milky Way to close up images of plants and wildlife. She has an entire collection of honeybees dusted in pollen and striking close ups of wild animals’ eyes, along with landscape shots that feel almost magical.

Whether she is experimenting at home, taking photos outdoors, or cooking in the Downtown kitchen, Alisha brings the same level of care and creativity to everything she does.