Cathy Whims
Cathy, a six-time James Beard Award finalist, opened Nostrana with her partner David West in 2005. Prior to establishing Nostrana, she was co-owner of Portland’s pioneering Italian restaurant, Genoa. Since then, she has helped open Oven & Shaker, and Hamlet, Portland’s first bar to pay homage to ham and sherry. In the course of her professional career, Cathy has studied with Marcella and Victor Hazan at their home in Venice, and Madeleine Kamman at the School for American Chefs. She has cooked with Giancinto Albarello at Genoa and in his own kitchen at the Antica Torre Trattoria in Barbaresco, and with Marco Forneris at Osteria La Libera in Alba, both renowned restaurants of the Langhe. A never-ending curiosity takes Cathy to Italy often, where she continues to make new friendships and enjoy the complex flavors evoked by simple cooking.
