One of our favorite quotes on the PLANTSTRONG team is, “It’s the Food, It’s the Food. It’s the Food!”  Well, today, it really is all about the food with guest, Chef Stephanie Michalak White - Lead Chef Instructor of Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Plant-Based Degree Program.  From an early age, Stephanie was inspired and motivated to make a difference in the food industry. She's worked in a variety of establishments, including small businesses, pop-ups, catering, and farm-to-table restaurants. Not only is she passionate about cooking plantstrong food, but she’s also equally passionate about sustainability, ending food insecurities, and optimizing self-care - which are things we at PLANTSTRONG care deeply about. Today, she shares with us some of her favorite grains, green leafies, veggies, must-have tools, and appliances for any kitchen, and she even shares a special recipe for her sweet potato brownies! It’s a fun foodie chat with one of the most sought-after chefs and culinary instructors in the plant-based space. Episode Timestamps 04:15 Welcome to Stephanie and the origins of her unique maiden name 06:05 How her love of plants started with her grandparents 09:45 When and why Stephanie was motivated to become vegan 19:08 Chef Stephanie’s area of focus on food insecurities in higher education 24:50 How she landed at Escoffier and the genesis of their plant-based culinary program? 26:55 How are the online courses being received and the many benefits of online education 29:08 Diversity of demographics at Escoffier and the plant-based program 30:11 Who was Auguste Escoffier? Father of Modern Cooking - History of the School of Culinary Arts 32:22 Why do people become chefs? 36:20 Chef Stephanie’s recommendations on basic cooking utensils for every kitchen 39:40 Stephanie gives Rip eggplant-inspired ideas (his least-favorite veg!) 42:41 Favorite squashes, rice, grains, and leafy greens 51:50 How would Chef Stephanie cook for firefighters? 54:00 Stephanie’s Sweet-Potato brownie recipe 56:10 Mango love and how best to cut and peel those tough fruits 59:45 Making Stephanie choose between chicken, cheese, or eggs! 1:01:57 How to keep plant-based food economical 1:05:00 Reducing excessive amounts of sodium in cooking 1:10:10 Favorite sweeteners and sugars for baking and cooking   Episode Resources Watch the Episode on YouTube PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Email for Chef Stephanie: smichalak@staff.escoffier.edu Chef Stephanie's Sweet Potato Brownie Recipe PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - A lifetime and transformative vacation awaits PLANTSTRONG Coaching - Our PLANTSTRONG Coaching Program is designed to help you to apply the principles of whole food, plant-based nutrition: removing all animal products, oil, refined sugar, and excess sodium from your eating plan. In addition, we will provide dozens of tools to elevate and accelerate your success while surrounding you with one fiercely supportive and nurturing community.  PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including pizza crusts, granolas, cereals, popcorn, soups, chilis and broths! Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members Theme Music for Episode Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)