Mrs. Patricia (Pat) Beckford - Betancourt was born in the United Kingdom, England to parents Mr. Rupert & Mrs. Aneita Beckford. Pat was the third child in the family of nine and twin to her brother Alan Beckford.

To be acquainted with her parents family in the Caribbean, the family migrated to Jamaica in 1964, and returned to the UK. In 1970.

On completing Secondary School 1975, Patricia attended the 'Huddersfield Technical College of Culinary Arts', where she pursued her studies in fine dining. It was her desire to study Fine Dining in France. With full passion, Pat entered several Culinary Competitions, where she was awarded several distinguished awards.

Pat first employment was as a Cook at ' The Welcome Break' Motorway Service Station. She gained employment as a Cook at the Storthes Hall Hospital, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England, UK. Pat worked in several Catering Establishments before leaving for the USA in 1985.

Shortly upon Patricia's' arrival in Detroit, Michigan 1985, she was quickly hired at one of Detroit's busiest venues 'Topinka's Restaurant', as a Chef. There she quickly made friends. while there Pat entered & won many Culinary Competitions. She was driven and excelled at perfecting her craft.

Through entering these competitions, Pat was sought after by the famous Renaissance Club - Restaurant in the heart of Detroit, where she accepted their offer in 1986.

Her current employers didn't seek to halt her potential, demonstrating this by giving her their blessings with a going away party.

In August 1995, her mothers health condition was affected by the cold weather in Michigan, although Pat's life was stable in Michigan; she took it upon herself as the eldest child in the USA to support her mother and made the sacrificial move to Florida. Within a month of moving to Florida, Pat gained employment at the Marriott Hotel.

Due to Pat being mentored by the best Chefs in Culinary Arts at the Renaissance Club, this secured her the position of Sous Chef at the Bocca Raton Country Club in Florida (1997).

Over the course of her distinguished career, Chef Patricia achieved extraordinary professional honors. She received awards for cooking for three U.S. Presidents, earned a Gold Medal Championship in Culinary Arts, and prepared meals for Presidents Donald Trump, George Bush, Bill Clinton, as well as Dick Chaney and many celebrities at the Boca Raton Resort, serving in a five-star, Michelin-level dining environment. Despite these accolades, Patricia remained humble, always more concerned with serving others than being recognized herself.

Patricia and Carlos’s love story began in the kitchen—fittingly so. Patricia served as a judge in a cooking competition where Carlos was a contestant. He cooked, she judged, and from that moment forward, their lives became beautifully intertwined. Shortly after they worked together at the Marriott Hotel, Sunrise, Ft Lauderdale, Florida, There Carlos & his friend would cook food for Pat to take home for her family. Carlos could see how much Pat loved her family.

Pat and Carlos were really good friends and work colleagues who had very similar desires and interests. Carlos and Pat got married as committed believers in Christ and later adopted the Messianic faith.

Pat and Carlos ventured into several Culinary Business. (The Chicken Shack), etc.. for the past 8 years, Chef Pat & Chef Carlos have been faithfully working & serving in 'Simchat Torah Beit Midrash' (STBM).

Chef Patricia Betancourt was a woman of deep faith, extraordinary warmth, and unwavering generosity, a true servant whose life was devoted to giving to others.Patricia lived with joy, excellence, and purpose. She poured her heart into the kitchen, not only through her remarkable culinary gifts, but through teaching, mentoring, and uplifting those around her. She trained and invested in countless young people, patiently showing them how to cook, how to serve, how to work as a team, and how to take pride in their work. Long before many knew her as “Chef Pat,” Patricia was already living a life of service. She was deeply involved in ministry, serving faithfully as a youth leader and mentor. Pats' heart for children, families, and community was evident in everything she did, i.e. volunteering to host two children who met upon hard times and loving them like they were their own.For many, Chef Patricia was their very first teacher in the kitchen—someone who believed in them before they believed in themselves. Her legacy lives on in every life she touched, every skill she passed on, and every heart she encouraged.

Chef Patricia Betancourt’s life was a reflection of love in action—through faith, service, excellence, and compassion. She will be remembered not only for the meals she prepared but for the lives she shaped, the faith she lived, and the light she brought into every room she entered.

Patricia Beckford - Betancourt leaves behind Carlos (Husband), her Mother, Sisters, Brother, Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces and Nephews, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, extended family and close friends.

  A Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 1pm at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Leesburg.