Clinical Director
My name is Jerry Santos. I was born and raised in Santa Barbara, and food has been a part of my
life for as long as I can remember. I basically grew up in restaurants—starting around age five,
tagging along with my mom while she worked at a local seafood spot. Back then, I didn’t realize I
was learning the ropes; I just knew I loved everything about the kitchen.
That early spark led to a 20-year career. I started at the bottom as an 18-year-old dishwasher, worked my way through culinary school, and spent years in fine dining. But the real shift in my life happened at home, cooking balanced meals to help my stepdad manage his diabetes. Seeing him regain his health showed me that food is so much more than just technique on a plate—it’s medicine and care.
That experience completely changed my focus. Over the last decade, I’ve used cooking to help people heal, from supporting clients with eating disorders to spending the last three years working in mental health facilities. My favorite part of this work is helping people build a healthy relationship with food and create positive memories around meals that stay with them long after they leave.
“What I didn’t expect was how much it would heal me in return. Watching the people I work with face their challenges gives me the strength and motivation to keep growing on my own journey.”
Today, at 39, I bring two decades of kitchen experience to work that truly matters to me. When I’m off the clock, you’ll usually find me out back by the smoker cooking up barbecue, spending time with family, or trying to catch a round of golf.
