Kim Nauman

In 1990 Kim Nauman was introduced to the culinary world as Assistant to the director of Advertising for Shells Restaurants, where she gained the mechanics of the food industry.

2000 was the founding year for Divine Menus, a company designed to achieve excellence in Event venues, the home, and special occasion locations. Kim is founder and President of Divine Menus that boasts many accomplishments here in the greater Tampa Bay area and out on location. She has broadened the horizons of this company with her wide range of talents. Clients have included TV personalities, Senators, National Fundraising Campaigns, Renowned Conferences, a commercial on location for Kraft Services. She has teamed with some local Chefs to feed more than a 1,000 volunteers for a non-profit organization. Kim has managed a kitchen staff of 25. She has co-authored a cookbook and collaborated on a menu for a national food chain.

In 2008 Kim, along with her husband, Michael, bought The Empress Tea Room and Bistro, where her experience has won media notoriety and an award winning organization.

Chef Diane

Diane was raised in a Southern family steeped in the traditions of food and the Culinary Arts. Her mother was a studied culinarian and her father was an epicurean and an amateur sommelier.

She graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Orlando Culinary Academy. Having a propensity for meat fabrication, she, also, was mentored for a period of time by a master butcher.

Wine and food pairing is one of Diane’s specialties and she is working on becoming a Sommelier adding this to her resume of talents and experience. Her true passion, however, is in Garde Manger or the cold kitchen. Her expertise in this arena can be tasted in her dressings, soups, sauces and reductions. Diane is a Certified Chef and member of The American Culinary Federation. She is the Chef for Divine Menus Catering and one of a team of Chefs at The Empress Tearoom and Bistro.