Chef Amato graduated from Culinary Institute of America, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies, Culinary Arts Management in 2008. She earned a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism from Florida International University in May 2010. While working and completing her graduate degree, she was offered a position with Florida International University, where she was a visiting Professor at Tianjin University of Commerce/FIU in Tianjin, China. Since then, she moved back to the United States, working for Stratford University as the Hospitality Program Lead and subsequently for Virginia Beach City Public Schools with VBScratch. She is passionate about education and personal growth through professional development.