Marisa Nivatvongs is originally from Minnesota. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from St. Olaf College. A month before graduating from St. Olaf, Marisa realized that her true calling was in the culinary field.

Marisa worked as a sushi chef for just over a year before heading off to The Culinary Institute of America.

Like Chef Philbrook, Marisa also earned two degrees from the CIA. She graduated with honors from the culinary program and also received the Wine Spectator Scholarship for being one of the top students. In the baking and pastry program Marisa received the most outstanding baker of 2000 award.

Upon graduating from the CIA, Marisa returned to Minneapolis and worked as a pastry chef in some of the top restaurants in the Twin Cities. She then moved to Las Vegas where she worked as the Assistant Pastry Chef at Neiman Marcus where she opened two restaurants.