Chef Vera Hansen has been a part of Cyprus Café for 15 years, taking over the chef position four years ago. Vera’s strong commitment for sourcing local and sustainable products and Cyprus Café’s history of using locally raised vegetables and natural meats makes it a perfect match. The result is clean, fresh, healthy and delicious Mediterranean cuisine without additives, bases and as gluten free as possible.

Born and raised in Durango, CO, Vera went to Durango High School and studied at Fort Lewis College. Her culinary education and inspiration for local sourcing and sustainability has evolved organically during her time at Cyprus Café and through her relationship with owner Alison Dance who claims, “If she [Hansen] quits, I quit.” A dynamic duo, Vera and Alison have created a national name for Cyprus Café, garnering impressive accolades from national culinary, travel and national publications including Bon Appetit, Sunset Magazine and The New York Times.

Over the past several years, Vera has established a name for herself as one of the top chef’s in the region and in 2010 was honored as the Durango Iron Horse Chef Competition champion. She is living proof that hard work, commitment and passion are a recipe for success.

“My relationship with Delphine at Seattle Fish Company has helped me immensely! Delphine is very committed and excited about her job and she continues to educate herself and me about seafood sustainability and the harvesting practices within the industry. Knowing about new products, seasonality, government policies as well as the sustainable fishing techniques and practices have guided me in my choices of seafood for service at Cyprus Café. —Vera Hansen, Chef at Cyprus Café