About Us
About Debbie
I’m Debbie Epstein, and I founded Debbie Does Dinner
in 1999. I’ve loved to bake practically since birth.
My mother said that my first word was “cookie,” which
remains my favorite food group to this day. I grew up
cooking homestyle cuisine inspired, perhaps, by my grandmother’s
sister, one of the three original Betty Crockers (although
I’d never, ever use a packaged mix today!).
My culinary career began when I was an economics student
at the University of California, San Diego. Dissatisfied
with the on campus cafeterias, my apartment mates and
I cooked dinner for 10 of our neighbors every night.
I then moved on to graduate school at Cornell University’s
School of Hotel Administration. After receiving my master’s
degree, I ate my way through many interesting restaurants
in Europe before settling down in San Francisco.
After cooking locally for various cafés, hotels, restaurants,
caterers and an Elderhostel program, I ran away to Fiji,
where I was the executive chef at a secluded, exclusive
resort. Upon my return to San Francisco, I became the
Queen of ice cream at a renowned, award-winning gelato
maker. After creating over 100 flavors and making over
100 gallons of gelato a day, I started delivering dinner
to friends with kids, friends recovering from surgery,
friends who didn’t have the time or energy to eat a
healthy meal… Within a short time I expanded the business
to include catered events. My dedicated staff and I
have catered events for five to 500 people from Napa
to the Santa Cruz mountains.
In 2007, my husband and I adopted a beautiful little
boy and I gave myself an abbreviated maternity leave.
A few months later, a woman in my mother’s group sent
out an email saying she had to go back to work and did
anyone know anyone that delivered dinners. Hmmm…. After
more than 10 years, my business has come full circle.
About Debbie Does Dinner
Whether it's our weekly delivered dinners or a fully
catered event, Debbie Does Dinner delivers delectable
cuisine and presents it with style.
Our seasonal dishes provide a wide variety of ingredients,
flavors, colors, and textures. We make our own stocks,
sauces, salad dressings, desserts and everything in
between.
We are strong advocates of organic and sustainable agricultural
practices and guarantee that only the highest quality
and freshest ingredients are used at Debbie Does Dinner.
We pride ourselves on supporting local farmers and businesses.
Our diverse menus are inspired by cuisines from around
the world. My talented and creative staff have worked
and traveled all over the globe.
