President and founder Sandra Forney has had
the food business in her blood since her childhood when she helped
her parent’s resort operation in the San Jacinto Mountains.While attending Cal State Fullerton she worked at the Gaslight Broiler in Newport Beach and rose from waitress to management positions. Following graduation she honed her management skills with various large food service corporations.
Ms. Forney recognized the importance of diversity and authenticity in food service and traveled throughout Europe, Asia and Africa to gather first hand the uniqueness of each cuisine.
In 1983 she capitalized on these skills and established Impressions Gourmet Catering.
Her dedication to community involvement includes serving on:
- The Chaffey College Foundation Board of Directors
- The Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
- The Council of Women Advisors to Congress
- The Board of Directors of the Ontario Visitors and Convention Bureau
- The Board of Directors for the Friends of the Ontario Airport
- The Advisory Panel of Guasti Community Schools
- The Inland Empire Employer Advisory Board
- The Ontario Rotary Club
In 1995 Sandra represented California's 43rd Congressional District at the Women Leaders Summit in Washington D.C. where she meet with key legislators and successfully lobbied for improvements in the District's business climate.
She was nominated as a Candidate for Recognition in the Inland Empire Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Award winning Chef Ricardo Santana has been
executive chef at Impressions since 1991.
Raised in Ontario, he began his culinary career at 17 cooking in small dinner houses, as his proficiency increased, so did his responsibilities.
Santana was a member of opening team at the Maruko Hotel and Convention Center in San Bernardino.
Later, as the sous chef at the Castaways in San Bernardino he worked with Master Chef Don Cadiente. When Cadiente moved to the L.A. County Fairgrounds as executive chef he recruited Santana as his executive sous chef.
In addition, Santana served as executive sous chef at La Cheminee in Ontario and opened the Sundance Inn in Glendora.
Throughout his career Chef Santana has exhibited his unique talents in a variety of food shows: Art a la Carte, Taste of the Inland Empire, Evening at the Plaza, and Taste of the Town.
He is a member of the Inland Empire Chefs and Cooks Association and recipient of the prestigious Chef of the Year Award from the American Culinary Federation.