Staci Davis, The Vegan Chef - Recipe for Success

Staci Davis, The Vegan Chef

Staci Davis started cooking professionally when she was sixteen at Kerby Lane Café in Austin, Texas. She went on to work for four years at the legendary Basil's in Austin, making fresh pasta by hand and putting together the specials and soups for the day. Davis began specializing in vegetarian food in the late eighties after moving to Houston and working for BFD Productions. At that time Davis catered for all of the vegetarian rock stars that came to town under their promotion.

After a bout with cancer in 1997, Staci became much more interested in the link between health and nutrition and my interest in vegetarian and vegan food grew. She read study after study that linked proper nutrition, adequate fiber, antioxidants and low animal protein to optimal health. Slowly Davis began switching to a vegan diet. Along the way she shared her talents by catering for small gatherings. Davis also taught vegan cooking classes at Janice Blue's Casa Azul and at Whole Foods Market.

Davis started cooking privately for families around 2004 and her business has grown quietly by word of mouth. She continues to read articles and studies linking nutrition to health and is fully versed in special needs diets, such as food allergies, celiac disease and diets for diabetes and high cholesterol.

2018 Chef of the Year
Kevin Naderi, Roost

Chefs Advisory Board

Beginning in the late 1990's Chef Monica Pope joined in Gracie's efforts to establish a group of concerned chefs who were willing to get involved in a hands on way to teach kids to cook. Twenty-four answered the call and in 2006, we established our Chefs Advisory Board, a working committee with Monica as its Chair. Through the years, more and more chefs have joined our founding members, and today we have over 100 members in Houston and across the country. Monica Pope continues to lead the team as Chair Emeritus.

These busy professionals donate their time month after month, year after year, bringing their unique insight and perspective of food to the children, turning on their taste buds and opening their minds to new foods. It's a Recipe for Success! Would you like to join us? Drop Paris an email and get started today!

The Foundation's Chefs Advisory Board served as inspiration for the White House campaign for Chefs Move to School! Six members of our Chefs Advisory Board joined members of our Board of Directors at the White House in June 2010 for the kick-off of Chefs Move to Schools! where Recipe for Success was featured as a national model and resource. See pictures here. And read about the trip here and here.