We are chefs from NYC who took our first trip to Bend 10 years ago to visit friends. We found ourselves visiting year after year falling in love with Bend, Central Oregon and the people we met and imagining a life here. We finally took the leap and moved to Bend to start Ingredient Studio and share our passion for food through hands-on recreational cooking classes, private lessons and unique and intimate food events. At the Ingredient Studio our mission is to provide a community of home cooks and food enthusiasts with a fun and friendly learning experience that will build culinary confidence. Together we'll explore the bounty that Central Oregon has to offer.
About Candy Argondizza
Candy grew up in a close-knit Italian family where food was the center of every gathering. This led to her love of food and sharing of ideas. She began her career with a degree from the Culinary Institute of America and worked her way through many of New York City’s finer restaurants. She has spent the last 17 years teaching and guiding future chefs at the helm of the International Culinary Center in NYC. There she worked alongside and collaborated with many of the culinary worlds best known chefs.
Candy has contributed to various cookbooks and is often sought for her advice and tips for food magazines and has been featured at the James Beard House. She was also honored with Culinary Teacher of the Year by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. She continues to serve on the advisory board of NYC’s only culinary high school.
She is excited to continue sharing her culinary knowledge and talents with all food lovers in Bend and Central Oregon. As an avid triathlete and accomplished runner, Candy feels right at home in the Bend active community.
About Marité Acosta
The daughter of Cuban immigrants, Marité’s love of food was founded in her mother’s cooking. Many years in the fashion and textile industry took her around the world where she always made time to experience each country's cuisine, further adding to her love of food. Marité earned her culinary degree at the International Culinary Center then put her skills to work at The Food Network. There, she hustled in the test kitchens developing recipes and working on special projects, as a culinary expert on Iron Chef America and being in charge of special ingredients for Chopped. She went on to pursue food styling and recipe developing on her own as well as working as a personal chef for NYC clients.
Marité is also an accomplished potter who’s work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, and other international magazines. You can see more of here work here.
Together, we will guide the enthusiastic home cook or curious foodie through custom designed cooking lessons. We offer private, in-home classes where you can learn to make anything from delicious hand-made pastas to learning what to do with your favorite cut of meat or fish. Host an intimate dinner party in your home and leave the cooking to us! Emphasis is on healthy and whole foods that you can prepare with confidence and of course, always delicious!