Contributors
Cheree Boteler | Debra Salas | Estela Torres | Kelly Valentine
CHEREE BOTELER
Cheree is the founder of Hungry in Reno, a brand created to support local food and drink establishments by sharing reputable, interesting, innovative, and exciting food and drink experiences with locals and visitors. She is also the organizer of Reno Food & Drink Week, which takes place the first week of June each year. In 2022, Cheree was a judge in the national James Beard Foundation Awards, the Oscars of the food world. Cheree is a native Nevadan and a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno. She currently works as the chief marketing officer for STEP2, a local non-profit with a mission to break the cycle of addiction and violence in families.
DEBRA SALAS
Debra is a dedicated Reno resident, originally from San Jose, California, with previous roots in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. After a fulfilling career as an early childhood educator spanning over two decades, she made a transformative decision in 2020 to pursue her lifelong passion for writing, marking a return to her childhood dream. Debra’s commitment extends beyond writing, as she actively supports the local music scene. Additionally, as a respected member of the Yelp Elite Squad for five years, she passionately promotes small businesses and the arts in the Reno community through her self-taught promotional efforts, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those she engages with.
ESTELA TORRES
Estela is a homemaker & homeschooler in the Reno area. When her husband comes home from work he takes on bedtime routines as she heads to her desk where her fingertips and pink laptop will display her heart on her sleeve. With the sound of the beautiful chaos next door that’s no longer in her hands, she types with a full heart thanking God everyday for the gift of writing and simultaneously being available with just one knock at her door.
KELLY VALENTINE
Kelly is originally from Southeastern Ohio and has been in Reno since 2004. She studied Communications and English in college, graduating in 2001 with honors and as the PR Chair of the Student Senate.
Kelly has always had a passion for food. She has been cooking since she could hold a spoon and her friends refer to her as the “salad queen”! After losing her taste for over two years from COVID, she is back with a vengeance with some over-eager taste buds, so she wants to share every experience with you that she can.
