Risa Magid Boyer is a New Jersey native and Culinary Institute of America graduate who owned Vanillamore in Montclair, NJ, from September 2017 through November 2020. 

 

Her restaurant was a place where foodies, families, friends, and the local community could experience exceptional service, an open kitchen, and a virtual art gallery, all in an immersive, approachable way. Chef Risa is now proud to bring Vanillamore’s philosophy into her clients’ home kitchen.

 

Chef Risa graduated from the Culinary Institute of America with a bachelor’s degree in restaurant management and an associate’s degree in baking and pastry arts. She interned at Park Avenue in NYC and Pink Cake Box in Denville, NJ, and has worked in NYC restaurants Sweet Revenge and Armani Ristorante, as well as De Novo in Montclair, NJ. Chef Risa was also a pastry instructor and resident chef at Sur La Table. Prior to opening her restaurant, she was the owner of Pastries by Risa, a small specialty cake business.

 

Vanillamore’s years of operation were marked by many successful milestones. Chef Risa earned a nomination as Rising Star Chef from the Garden State Culinary Arts Awards, and NJBiz Magazine named her a “40 Under 40” mover and shaker. Vanillamore has been acclaimed in NJ Monthly, Vue Magazine NJ, WABC 7 NY’s Neighborhood Eats, Jersey Bites, Montclair Magazine, and multiple features in The Record and on NorthJersey.com. The restaurant also won first place in the Sweets category at the Best of Essex Reader’s Choice Awards and was named by Yelp as a “Top Brunch Spot” in Montclair.

 

Chef Risa seeks to create an experience that is at the intersection of elevated but casual –exploring desserts that evoke memories from childhood (SWEET), sharing dishes with a range of flavors, textures, colors (SAVORY), and engaging in conversation that leads to storytelling and connection (SOCIAL).

 

Follow her on Instagram @RisaMagidBoyer.