Francesca was raised in northern Utah, and has cooked all of her adult life.  Her first restaurant experience was at the beloved Dia-Enko-Tei, Utah's first truly authentic Japanese restaurant.  From there Frances took her trade to the best restaurants in the Salt Lake valley; as well as Park City.  She was privileged to work with Michael Henson at The Barking Frog, and subsequntly at the 350 Main Seafood Co. She owned and cheffed at her own award winning Pocatello, Idaho restaurant the Golden Wheel Grill. Back to Northern Utah Frances operated the prestigious Wildflour Catering service for several years. 

Her love of food and family took her next to Louisiana, where she worked with her mentor and teacher Kim Kringlie at The Dakota restaurant.  While Frances was at The Dakota as Chef de Cuisine; the restaurant won the prestigious Zagat rating of 28 for food, “excellence to perfection.”  Her beloved father, Frank was retired in St George, so Frances returned to the west to be near him. After an 18 month stint at the prestigious Green Valley Spa; Frances has come on board at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort, and looks forward to the relaxed atmosphere and the beauty of Zion; her favorite place on Earth.