Ellie Basch comes from a long line of cooks. Her grandmother owned a restaurant, and her mother is a caterer in Java, Indonesia, where Ellie grew up.

Ellie learned to cook and appreciate good food from her mother. Since early age, she helped in her mother's catering business: from peeling potatoes and stuffing homemade sausages, to baking cakes and grilling satay.

Ellie came to the US in 1994 to attend college. After graduation, the allure of food drew her back in the business. She waited tables, managed a bakery and café, and finally found her calling in cooking.

Ellie learned to cook "the Western way" at the Southern Inn in Lexington, Virginia while her husband, Tony, attended Washington and Lee Law School.

Ellie's knowledge of Asian spices and flavors and French cooking techniques have allowed her to combine the finest points of various cuisines into Everyday Gourmet.

Prior to starting Everyday Gourmet, Ellie also worked at the Frog and the Redneck, The Jefferson Hotel, and the Bull and Bear Club.