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 planted their roots and launched their high end private chef business The Twisted Tines, in Gilbert Az.

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, 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.

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 creates.

Executive Chef: Nico Cornelius

Chef Nico’s culinary journey began not in a kitchen, but under a chandelier—literally. While working construction at a luxury golf course, he stepped in to help during a banquet crisis. One night on the line, and he was hooked.

Twelve years later, he’s an Executive Chef specializing in French and Italian cuisine, with experience alongside Celebrity Chef Scott Conant, James Beard Award-winner Chef Travis, and at top-tier venues like the W Hotel Scottsdale and Desert Mountain Golf Club.

A proud graduate of The Ohio State University, orignially taking the path of electrical engineering—with zero formal culinary training—Nico’s success is fueled by pure passion, fearless creativity, and a belief that food is about love, family, and connection.

"Always cook with your heart," he says. And that’s exactly what he does.

Event Chef: Rob Eller

Born and raised in San Diego, Robert Eller has always had a burning passion for food. His passion drove him to earning his bachelors degree from the Worlds Premiere Culinary School, The Culinary Instute of America in 2017.

Since then, Chef Rob has worked across the country. Private hunting and golf clubs in Westchester, New York, even as a sushi chef in his hometown at the prestigious Santaluz Club. Rob has recently returned from his job as Executive Chef at the complete Fly Fishing Lodge in Wise River Montana where he spent the summer cooking for some of the country's best fly fishermen. 

Chef Rob is also very passionate about the world of wine. He earned his Level One Sommelier Certification in the spring of 2020. With both his love for fine food and wine, Rob is a great addition to our staff. 

Client Outreach Manager: Alex Yelton

Alex 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, Alex 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 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.