Sonoma County Vegfest
Food Prep Demo Schedule

11:00 - 11:40 am

Isis Israel holds a nutrition certification from Cornell University, which focuses on how to prevent, reverse & mitigate disease through eating a whole foods plant-based diet. Isis is also a Culinary Chef; she teaches strategies & solutions to people who need inspiration & guidance in the kitchen. She is the owner of a cooking school Foodture in Windsor CA  teaching healthy cooking classes. She is an Educational Alliance Instructor for the Food for Life PCRM (The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine founded by Dr Neal Barnard). She teaches his Food for Life classes.

As a cancer survivor, she is committed to sharing the healing benefits of a wholesome plant based diet. She has been practicing a vegan lifestyle for the last 30 years and has raised two healthy children now young adults on a vegan diet. Isis is also a Saladmaster Senior Dealer in Northern CA representing and teaching the benefits of clean cookware, she educates and teaches people on the power of utilizing food as medicine, and the art of cooking easy, quick & delicious meals that are focused to optimize and nourish the body. 

12:00 - 12:40 pm
Chef Whitney’s Signature Southern Grit Cake with Kickin' Collard Greens

Chef Whitney Monroe

Chef Whitney Monroe is the Executive Chef, Founder, and creative force behind Girl on Fire Vegan LLC, a premier plant-based culinary brand specializing in organic, gourmet Southern comfort cuisine. Blending rich culinary tradition with modern plant-based innovation, Chef Whitney creates high-vibe, soul-satisfying dishes—from rich, slow-simmered Louisiana Gumbo to her signature Kickin' Collard Greens—that prove you never have to compromise on depth, texture, or tradition.

A recurring featured chef and sponsor at major national festivals across the country, Chef Whitney is dedicated to elevating the plant-based dining experience through bold culinary artistry, high-vibe flavor, and authentic Southern hospitality.

Digital Cookbook Link: payhip.com/GirlOnFireVegan
Website: www.girlonfirevegan.net | IG: @girlonfirevegan

1:00 - 1:45 pm
Ceviche Tostadas with a Mexican Twist created by Paola Lozano

The original ceviche comes from the Peruvian coast, with preparation techniques dating back more than 2,000 years, such as those of the Moche culture, generally consisting of marinated fish in a local citrus fruit called tumbo. This Peruvian dish became very popular in México where it blended with our cuisine, creating a different version by adding ingredients like lime juice, diced and paste tomato, onion, cucumber, cilantro, avocado, and chili, depending on the area of my country the recipe may vary adding their own twist. It is served cold and usually served on crispy tostadas. We will make a vegan version with protein-rich chickpeas.

Paola Lozano, originally from México and now residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, blends her deep-rooted knowledge of Mexican cuisine with modern plant-based innovations. Growing up, she learned the art of cooking alongside her mother and grandmother. After transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, Paola adapted traditional Mexican recipes into animal-free versions. 

She shares her plant-based takes through her pop-up, LA CHANCITA, her upcoming recipe book COOKING VEGAN TACOS LIKE A BOSS and her YouTube channel, PAOLA LOZANO YOGA, merging her heritage with contemporary vegan cuisine.

2:00 - 2:45 pm
Brewing Proper Tea & Tea-Infused Vegan Desserts

Sally Wei

Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, and research indicates that it offers numerous healthy compounds beneficial to our bodies. In this class, participants will learn about the characteristics of the six major types of tea and how to brew them correctly. This includes understanding the appropriate water temperature, the right amount of tea, and the ideal steeping time. Additionally, Sally will share her simple recipes for creating delicious tea-based desserts.

Sally Wei is an accomplished classical pianist who has merged her love of music with another passion: tea. A Certified Tea Sommelier by the UK Tea Academy and Tea Educator for Tzu Chi Foundation (Taiwan), Dr. Sally is a popular lecturer in Tea Festivals around the United States.

She combines her love and knowledge of tea with Eastern philosophy and Western etiquette to show us how tea can enrich our lives, relationships, and mindsets. Dr. Sally was the director of the Midwest Tea Festival in 2020~2023 and currently serves as the founder & director of the Nevada Tea Festival and San Jose Tea Festival.