Get to Know LivegreensPDX & Meet the Chefs
LiveGreensPDX
LiveGreensPDX started as a one-chef kitchen for the people who love delicious but healthy and gluten-free food. Chef Ryan launched it with a clear mission: to serve fresh, thoughtful, gluten-free meals that make people feel good.
The name came naturally. LiveGreens is more than just serving you some meals…it’s about eating healthy and living happily. It’s a name that reflects what we cook, how we cook, and why it matters.
We offer in-home dining experiences, weekly meal prep, event catering, and Texas-style BBQ catering …all made from scratch and customized to your needs. You’ll find us serving homes and events across Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, WA.
Chef Ryan (Founder & Head Chef)
Meet our founder, Chef Ryan. A passionate culinary artist with more than 25 years in kitchens across the country. A proud Wisconsin native and loyal Green Bay Packers fan, he’s also lived in Texas, Maine, New Jersey, and Oregon before settling in Vancouver, Washington…where he plans to stay. Partly because his wife insists, and partly because he’s found his perfect culinary community in the Pacific Northwest.
Ryan’s passion for cooking goes hand in hand with his love for people.
He says, “There are so many cool, unique, fun people in the world, and cooking gives me the chance to meet them.”
This philosophy drives every aspect of his work, from intimate family dinners to large-scale events.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him playing guitar (a passion since age 12), attending live music shows featuring metal, 80s hair bands, and hard rock.
When he’s home, he’s with his wife, their three beloved cats, and their newest addition…his baby daughter, who has made him a proud girl dad.
Culinary Education & Expertise
Ryan earned his Culinary Arts Certification in 2006 from Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wisconsin, training under the mentorship of Chef Jeffrey Lorenz.
His culinary education encompasses diverse global cuisines, including Italian, Asian, Mexican, and Indian preparations, along with specialized techniques in braised meats and smoked BBQ. Over his career, he has created thousands of original recipes.
After discovering his own gluten sensitivity, Ryan immersed himself in gluten-free cuisine, mastering specialized dietary approaches including Whole30, SIBO, Paleo, vegan, and kosher preparations.
His philosophy that “health begins with what we eat” ensures that every dish he creates is not only delicious but thoughtfully crafted to nourish both body and soul.
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Career Highlights & Notable Achievements
Ryan’s impressive career began with participating in the creation and grand opening of two Italian restaurants in Wisconsin in 2006 and 2007.
His entrepreneurial spirit led him to Austin, Texas, in 2009, where he launched his first personal chef business and later opened a food truck in 2011, where he had the honor of serving his original bratwurst recipe to actress Zooey Deschanel.
His culinary talents have graced some remarkable tables:
- In 2012, he cooked for the Dutch Ambassador and their family at their Maine residence.
- Back in Austin in 2013, he catered a 300-person vegan BBQ for Russell Simmons of Def Jam Records and executed an elegant 75-person plated dining experience for Simmons and other record executives and hip hop moguls.
- That same year, he catered the opening celebration for the movie “Chef” for director Jon Favreau and the cast.
Ryan’s innovative approach to healthy eating led him to launch a meal delivery service in Austin in 2013, followed by a gluten-free paleo meal delivery business in Portland in 2015.
After returning to personal chef and catering work in 2020, he rediscovered his deep love for the craft.
He also co-authored a book that year, sharing his culinary knowledge and philosophy with a broader audience.
Community service remains close to Ryan’s heart…on Thanksgiving in both 2021 and 2023, he volunteered at Po’Shines, helping serve approximately 1,000 members of Portland’s houseless community.
Throughout his career, Ryan has had the joy of being part of countless celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings, including his own), always hungry to see more of the world while creating unforgettable culinary experiences right at home.
Sarah Darby – Catering Lead
Sarah brings a rare mix of culinary expertise and sharp organizational skills to our catering team. She also has a heart for service that shines through in every event.
She brings more than 8 years of professional kitchen experience, including her role as Sous Chef at Royal Oaks Country Club in Vancouver, Washington. There, she mastered the art of large-scale food preparation while keeping the personal touch that makes each event feel special.
Sarah was first drawn to cooking by her love of creating memorable experiences for others. Her journey led her through high-volume kitchens where she built her skills in menu planning, cost management, and food safety.
She also gained deep experience leading teams of twelve kitchen staff. That role prepared her to handle complex catering events with ease…keeping every detail to our high standards while fostering a positive, collaborative kitchen.
Education & Professional Growth
Sarah is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Portland State University. She brings the same dedication to her studies that she shows in the kitchen.
In 2020, she earned her Associate in Arts degree from Clark College in Vancouver, Washington. It reflects her commitment to continuous learning and personal growth.
Her professional experience also reaches beyond the kitchen. She works at the Clark County Juvenile Justice Center and has previous experience at Evergreen Recovery Center.
This work with diverse populations sharpened her interpersonal skills and her natural gift for creating welcoming environments. These qualities carry into her catering work, where she reads client needs easily and adapts to any situation with professionalism and grace.
Catering Philosophy & Approach
Sarah’s approach to catering blends technical precision with genuine care for creating memorable experiences. She’s skilled in inventory management, food costing, and health department compliance. These strengths ensure every event runs smoothly from planning to final execution.
She handles everything from intimate dinner parties to large corporate events with the same focus. Her attention to detail and commitment to quality make her a trusted leader in our catering operations.
Her experience working with people from all walks of life gives her a unique perspective on hospitality. She knows great catering isn’t only about excellent food. It’s about creating an atmosphere where guests feel welcomed, cared for, and celebrated.
Sarah’s compassionate nature, strong work ethic, and problem-solving skills make every event she leads a seamless, joyful experience for clients and guests alike.
Travis Wasson – Personal & Private Chef
Meet Chef Travis Wasson, a culinary artist with nearly two decades of professional cooking experience. His career reads like a love letter to the craft.
Based in Ridgefield, Washington, Travis brings a New American style with California-Hawaiian fusion influences. He serves as our weekly personal and private chef, sharing his infectious passion for cooking…one of his greatest joys in life.
Travis’s philosophy is simple and powerful: “I love cooking…not only do I love it, but I’m good at it as well.”
This mix of passion and skill, along with his adaptability and problem-solving, has made him a sought-after chef across the Pacific region.
His approach is both artistic and practical. He can master a technique after seeing it once, and he pushes himself to perfect every dish he creates.
Prestigious Culinary Journey
Travis’s culinary journey began in the luxury resort kitchens of Maui, Hawaii. He spent four years there learning to love and understand food at its most fundamental level.
A career highlight was his time at the Four Seasons Maui. He advanced from Cook 4 to Cook 1 and worked alongside executive chefs in DUO Steak House. At the time, it was one of only 35 five-star, five-diamond resorts in the world.
There, he mastered high-end sauté techniques and handled everything from room service to poolside dining and special events. He even worked graveyard shifts preparing the daily breakfast buffet.
His versatility stood out again at The Lodge at Malibu Lake. After stepping in to cover for a missing cook, he was promoted from server to Sous Chef—a true reflection of his skills and team-first mindset.
At The New Phoenix Casino, he showcased his broad culinary knowledge by helping build the restaurant from the ground up. He designed the kitchen layout, developed menus and recipes, calculated food costs, and trained staff.
Entrepreneurial Excellence & Adaptability
Since 2016, Travis has worked as a self-contracted chef for more than 1,000 companies. His clients range from luxury event venues like Drago’s at the LA Car Museum to entertainment giants such as Disney, DreamWorks, Pixar Studios, and Google.
He’s even executed prestigious events like the Oscars through Contemporary Catering, proving his ability to perform under pressure while keeping exceptional standards.
His career spans a wide range of culinary landscapes—from Hawaii’s tropical flavors to California’s innovative cuisine, and now the Pacific Northwest’s farm-to-table movement. This breadth gives him a unique ability to customize menus and cooking styles for each family’s preferences and dietary needs.
Travis is fluent in multiple international cuisines, but his signature style is New American with California-Hawaiian fusion influences.
Personal Chef Philosophy
When you choose Travis as your personal chef, you get more than someone to cook meals. You gain a culinary partner dedicated to elevating your family’s dining with fresh, creative, and expertly prepared cuisine.
His time management and problem-solving skills come from years in high-pressure kitchens. These strengths allow him to fit seamlessly into your home routine while serving restaurant-quality meals tailored to your family’s tastes.
Travis’s commitment to excellence goes beyond technique. It comes from genuine care for the people he serves. His belief—“you show me how to do something, you only have to show me once”—speaks to both his quick learning and his respect for client preferences.
