Chef Mark Buckley is the inspiration for and creative genius and cook for “Tarts from the Heart” & “Celestial

Feasts”

“Chef Mark” is a native of Maysville, Kentucky,

a small town on the banks of the Ohio River.

He developed his enthusiasm for cooking

from his Father, who has a love of

“everything food” to connect with others.

Italian by heritage, Mark’s Father would use food as an adventure by creating Swiss fondue one evening and Asian banquets the

next…He and his wife taught

their Kentucky born children “food games,” one of which showed them how

to use chopsticks with candied ginger and

peanuts.

This ability to create joy and laughter through

food was further nourished when Mark

would assist his Father to cater for local

community groups, like The Kiwanis and the

Rotary Club.

“Chef Mark” has built upon his colorful, but grounded

Kentucky roots to create cozy meals for 2 or feasts for 12,000 people.

“Chef Mark” spent 30 years in Washington, DC, where he divided his time first as a graduate student at Catholic University, as an academic scholar and

then as a manager of non-profit organizations, including ones that worked with

NYC Mayor Bill de Blazio.

He then formally trained as a chef under Dr. Joan Shih and began catering part-time in 2002 before deciding to fully devote himself to his catering

business, where he cooked with Vice

President Joe Biden and was the “Master Chef” in

an award winning film food documentary.

Chef Mark has cooked for celebrations of

every “taste” and has shared a variety of

these fun flavors in a way in which

everyone may enjoy.

These “little bites of heaven” are pay homage to his Father who believed that food was a

nourishing way to create a bridge of laughter, joy and gratitude amongst us all.

“Chef Mark”, when not cooking here in La Jolla, California, can be found hiking at Torrey Pines, thinking up new

recipes and lovingly “catering” to the demands of his very grateful extended family.