What is one thing you miss about being a child?

How long the days seemed.

When you were a child, what did you want to do or be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a veterinarian. I grew up in Washington state and had lots of animals.

What was your first job?

Working with animals—I worked with a dog breeder where I exercised young dogs by taking them on walks, runs and groomed them.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I am an artist and do quite a bit of sculpture & painting. I planned on getting my MFA in San Francisco, but I got lured into the restaurant world instead.

What is the one thing you never travel without?

My iPod and my Kindle.

What is one piece of technology you can't live without?

My cell phone.

Where is your most favorite place on this earth? Why?

My own backyard! I travel so much that my backyard is my hideaway where I have my garden and I can unwind.

Do you have any phobias?

None that I am aware of.

If your house was on fire and you could grab only 3 things, what would they be?

Important pieces of my art collection, financial information and my pets...I have a dog and 2 cats.

What do you consider the most important event in your life so far?

Passing my Master Sommelier exam!

If you had to change your name, what would you change it to? Why?

Believe it or not, when I was young I didn't like my last name so I was going to drop my last name and go by Emily Camille (my middle name), but as it turns out I am happy with my name now.

What is important to you right now? Why?

My family, my home AND finding time to balance work and exercise given my busy travel schedule.

Any extra things that you'd like people to know about you?

When I travel I like to try esoteric things that the locals eat & drink that are not available in the States like some herb or fruit that they make a liqueur out of. I like to eat and drink my way through my travels.