Ashley Torrijos

About Ashley Torrijos

As VP of Culinary & Marketplace, innovation and storytelling are at the heart of my work. Honored as a James Beard National Scholar, I lead a team committed to designing menus that are not only craveable and operationally sound, but also deeply authentic to the voices of our chef collaborators. At Neighborly, we have the unique privilege of telling stories through food—developing dishes that reflect heritage, creativity, and community. It’s a space where culinary ideation and restaurant operations intersect to create meaningful, elevated dining experiences.I hold a Master of Science in Food Industry Leadership from the Marshall School of Business at USC, where I was honored with the Prestigious Leader Award by the faculty—an acknowledgment that continues to inspire my commitment to leading with both creativity and purpose.My foundation was shaped in the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants Providence and Melisse, where I developed a deep respect for precision, seasonality, and technique. I later brought that ethos into my own series of intimate, narrative-driven pop-ups, which allowed me to explore cultural identity, flavor, and hospitality in new and dynamic ways.Previously, I contributed to national-scale culinary innovation at The Cheesecake Factory, where I played a key role in research and development, helping to evolve the brand’s menu while maintaining operational excellence. Today, I bring those experiences into my work previously at Local Kitchens and now Neighborly, where we bridge fine-dining sensibilities with everyday accessibility—crafting dishes that not only taste incredible, but connect people to culture, craft, and community.

Experience

1. Vice President, Culinary & Marketplace

   Neighborly

   Sep 2025 — Present · El Segundo, CA, US

Education

• UC Santa Barbara

  Religious and Cultural Studies, Humanities

  2011 — 2016

• Mayfield Senior School

  High School Diploma

  2007 — 2011

• Chef Apprenticeship School of the Arts

  Culinary Arts/Chef Training

  2016 — 2017

• UC Santa Barbara

  Bachelor of Arts - BA

• USC Marshall School of Business

  Master of Science - MS, Food Industry Leadership

  2021

Skills

• Leadership
• Facebook
• Events Coordination
• Fundraising
• Public Speaking
• Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Event Planning
• Management
• Social Networking
• Culinary Management
• Restaurants
• Customer Service
• Social Media Blogging
• Interpersonal Communication
• Teamwork
• Microsoft Word
• Culinary Skills
• Social Media
• Restaurant Marketing