Samantha was born and raised in beautiful Sonoma County, CA. After completing a Psychology degree at Sonoma State University, Sam traded in the redwoods for the palm trees of sunny San Diego where she began in earnest her journey towards a plant-based, animal free diet. Sam returned to the foggy banks of San Francisco for a short while before moving to Austin Texas to attend the Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts.

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After successful completion of her culinary degree, it was back to San Francisco where Sam quickly found work at the prestigious Millennium Restaurant in Nob Hill, moving up the ranks to Head Pastry Chef before the restaurant relocated to Oakland. 

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After her Millennium Adventures, it was high time for Sam to realize her ultimate dream of opening up her own vegan pastry business. Not too long into 2016, Biota Vegan was born.