Meet the Chefs

Ashley found her deep connection and love for animals early on as she grew up in a house with every possible type of pet. She’s been in restaurants her whole life with her mom being a chef for 40 years. She graduated with a Hospitality Management degree from FIU and was General Manager of her family’s restaurant, Ortanique on the Mile, for six years before moving into the kitchen. Being a chef for humans gave her the knowledge of understanding recipes and which ingredients work when cooking for dogs. Additionally, Ashley’s mom is the Culinary Ambassador for the Miami Cancer Institute and was able to utilize a lot of their research because many of the ingredients that are great for cancer patients and people with immune deficiencies also applies to canine health. Ashley is a firm advocate for shelter adoption/working with rescue groups. She commends them for all the selfless hard work they put into saving animals while still having full time jobs. Dennis and Ashley have adopted from Paw Patrol Animal Rescue, as well as Bullies-N-Beyond Rescue, Inc. They attempted to foster their newest pup, Floki, but quickly became foster fails and are now happily overrun by three dogs and a cat.

Dennis grew up in Honduras with lots of family dogs around. He started his kitchen career as a junior baker at a Miami favorite, Vicky Bakery. He then went on to culinary school and as he was finishing his degree, September 11 happened. He decided to enlist in the Army to fight for the country he now calls home. Dennis completed two tours in the Army and is a decorated veteran, honorably discharged with a purple heart. After adjusting back to civilian life, he went right back to cooking and ran kitchens at several prominent restaurants in Miami like Threefold Café, Morton's The Steakhouse, Talavera Cocina and of course, Ortanique on the Mile where he met his love, Ashley. His experience in the Army makes him a strong leader in the kitchen. Dennis loves being a chef and creating new dishes, for both humans and pups alike.