Born and raised in Malaysia, Li moved to the United States with her family when she was just 15 years old. Landing in Boston, Li continued her education at Quincy High School. Graduating in 2000, she then moved on to the University of Massachusetts Amherst and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management. During her junior year at UMASS Amherst, Li was given the incredible opportunity to study abroad at the DCT School of Culinary and Hospitality Management in Switzerland.  After graduation, she accepted her first job as a front desk agent at Colonnade Hotel in Boston. While also working as a part time server at a French bistro, Li realized that working at the hotel was not as enjoyable as working in restaurants, so she left her hotel position to work full time at the bistro. Li worked her way up within the company, and eventually became the general manager.  When her second daughter arrived, she took a break to focus on her family but after 6 years at home with her daughters, Li missed the restaurant industry and took a position at an Italian restaurant in California. After gaining experience at multiple high-end restaurants in Sacramento, Li accepted a position at Allora where she was given the opportunity to grow.  Li is currently studying to become an Italian Wine Scholar through the Wine Scholar Guild, and is a very valuable part of Allora’s all female sommelier team.

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