Our Team
Owner: Travis Chrisman
Chef Travis Chrisman’s cooking career began at Culinary School in San Francisco, CA. He has previously worked at high end hotels, restaurants and as a Private Chef in San Diego and Nashville. He and his wife launched their high end private chef business The Twisted Tines Golden State, in San Diego CA.
Chef Travis has experience traveling to other cities around the country for those truly seeking the fine dining experience in the comfort of their own homes. Specializing in five course plated dinners, his West Coast style of contemporary cuisine has spawned a unique variety of tasting menus that emphasizes a balance of indulgent ingredients with bright, fresh flavors.
Their menus provide many options including charcuterie boards, handmade pasta, sushi, and Wagyu Beef sourced from their favorite local butcher. His team of elite servers provide an elegant experience to ensure the relaxation of their clients and guests. His favorite cuisines to prepare include Italian and Fusion for their compound and exciting ingredient profiles. He is the first of his family to work in the kitchen and looks forward to passing down his love and knowledge for cooking to his boys.
Owner: Katie Chrisman
Katie Chrisman is the co-owner of The Twisted Tines Golden State, a private chef company she runs alongside her husband, Travis. Their story began years ago at the Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad, where Travis's unforgettable pickup line came in the form of a bowl of fresh pasta—a moment that sparked both a partnership and a shared passion for creating memorable culinary experiences.
A proud graduate of UC San Diego with a degree in Sociology, Katie went on to earn her teaching credential and spent a decade inspiring students as a Physical Education and Dance teacher. After stepping back from teaching to focus on raising their two boys, she found new energy and purpose in growing The Twisted Tines Golden State.
Today, Katie wears many hats within the company—handling hiring, payroll, event organization, and collaborating with the client outreach manager to ensure the business continues to thrive. But her favorite role is being with guests. For her, this business has always been about people—the joy, connection, and shared experience that comes from great food and genuine hospitality. It's not uncommon for her and Travis to leave events with full hearts and plenty of hugs, a true testament to the warmth and community The Twisted Tines Golden State creates.
Client Outreach Manager: Alexandria Yelton
Alexandria graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communication and has always been passionate about connecting people through creativity. With a background in marketing, advertising, and design, she brings both strategy and heart to every project she touches.
At The Twisted Tines Golden State, Alexandria plays a key role in scaling and growing the business—building meaningful client relationships, expanding brand visibility, and finding new ways to share the company’s story with fresh audiences. She was drawn to The Twisted Tines Golden State for its passion for creating unforgettable dining experiences and loves being part of a team that blends creativity, connection, and craftsmanship in everything they do.
Lead Server: Kelsi Flood
Kelsi is the lead server for The Twisted Tines Golden State. With more than six years of experience in luxury hospitality and private home service, she brings a calm, intuitive presence to every event she leads.
Her foundation in service began in an allergy-friendly restaurant in Mesa back in 2016, where she gained extensive knowledge in ingredient awareness and safe food handling for guests with dietary needs. She has continued to refine her craft across high-end dining environments, currently serving and hosting private events throughout Paradise Valley while also working as a high-end server in Old Town Scottsdale for the past 4 years.
Kelsi is known for her ability to guide the flow of an evening: the pacing of courses, the mood of the room, the consistency of service, and the small details that make a dinner feel effortless. She is often recognized for her thoughtful communication, warm presence, and the seamless way she ensures guests feel cared for and welcomed.
Currently studying Business Management at Arizona State University, Kelsi is passionate about the art of hospitality and the subtle choreography that elevates a meal into a memorable, shared experience.
