Presenters/Guest Speakers/Cooking Demonstrations
Miyoko Schinner
For decades, Miyoko has delighted in cooking and feeding people with the goal of putting artistry into the vegan lifestyle. She is the author of The Now and Zen Epicure, Japanese Cooking, Artisan Vegan Cheese, and her newest upcoming cookbook, The Vegan Pantry: The Art of Making Your Own Staples. As a vegan chef, cookbook author, cooking instructor, and TV host, Miyoko strives to teach others that the best food for you is natural, handcrafted, and made with love. Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, or omnivore, her recipes will inspire you to get into the kitchen making real food that is healthy, creamy and delicious, compassionate, and of course, fun.
Lisa Kemmerer
Lisa Kemmerer is a philosopher-activist dedicated to working against oppression, whether on behalf of the environment, nonhuman animals, or disempowered human beings. Her books include In Search of Consistency: Ethics and Animals; Animals and World Religions; Sister Species: Women, Animals, and Social Justice; Call to Compassion: Reflections on Animal Advocacy; Speaking Up for Animals: An Anthology of Women’s Voices; and Primate People: Saving Nonhuman Primates through Education, Advocacy, and Sanctuary. Lisa has hiked, biked, kayaked, backpacked, and traveled widely, and is currently associate professor of philosophy and religions at Montana State University Billings.
Ginny Kisch Messina: The Vegan RD
Ginny’s work focuses on giving people the tools and knowledge they need to adopt a healthy vegan diet and to ensure that they will stay healthy and happy for the long term. She shares this information through her blog, books, and presentation. Ginny is the co-author of Vegan for Life, Vegan for Her, and Never Too Late to Go Vegan, and a textbook on vegetarian nutrition aimed at medical and nutritional professional. Additionally, Ginny volunteers at her local animal shelter, is a board member of her local spay/neuter outreach organization, is a feeder of feral cats, an avid gardener, a bookworm, a student of piano and of vegan knitting, and the devoted mom of a group of happy rescued cats. Originally from New Jersey, Ginny now lives in the wild and wooly Olympic Peninsula of the Pacific Northwest.
Alison Collins
Alison Collins is the owner and cook of Boots Bakery and Lounge in Spokane, Washington. Vegan for eighteen years, she grew frustrated with the quality of vegan desserts and set out to make her own. Through friends and family and word of mouth, her production of baked goods grew into a small side business. Eleven years ago she created a carrot cake for Mizuna Restaurant which is still on their menu today and she began working there as a bartender while running her baking business. As demand grew, Alison opened Boots Bakery and Lounge in June 2012. Alison is grateful for the wonderful reception from the Spokane community. Vegans and non-vegans alike support Boots and flood through their doors daily to enjoy vegan and gluten free soups, breakfast dishes, casseroles, salads, coffee, drinks, and so much more. Boots Bakery and Lounge is Spokane’s first completely vegan food establishment.
