Meet Our California Grown Creators

Looking for recipes and serving suggestions for your favorite California-grown goodness? These are the folks we go to for the ideas we share with you! We’re proud to introduce some of our California Grown Creators here.

Meg van der Kruik, This Mess Is Ours + CA GROWN

Meg is our current CA GROWN blogger-in-residence, sharing seasonal deliciousness via our weekly recipes. (She’s currently obsessed with this CA GROWN Orange Julius, which you should definitely try.) 

You can find more of Meg’s work on her blog This Mess Is Ours, where she shares pro-tips to make everything from kale salad and crepe cakes to homemade dog food.  She specializes in creating meals that will work for households with multiple dietary needs or preferences. Her goal is to help ease the frustration of answering that age-old question “What’s for dinner?” and to get you back to cooking one meal at dinner that makes everyone happy! 

Meg’s work has also been featured in The Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, the Kitchn, Buzzfeed, and Better Homes & Gardens where she is also a “BH&G Stylemaker”.

teri turner nocrumbsleft ca grown

Teri Turner, No Crumbs Left

Food is the love language at nocrumbsleft, and Teri Turner’s approach to getting people into the kitchen, rolling up their sleeves, and cooking is contagious. “Don’t be afraid to fail: it’s just food,” is one of the nocrumbsleft mantras. A passion for food is evident on every page of the No Crumbs Left: Recipes for Everyday Food Made Marvelous cookbook, where readers are led through a discovery of new flavors and spice combinations. Nocrumbsleft’s recipes, many of which are gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, Whole30 compatible riffs on old school classics, are what make the cookbook, blog, and even Teri’s media presence so unique. Teri has carried her roll up your sleeves attitude into every aspect of nocrumbsleft. She turned the idea for a bowl into a unique handmade pottery line inspired by her recipes and loved ones, and she evolved a conversation with her kid into a podcast with over 80 episodes and counting. Nocrumbsleft embraces risks, new adventures, and exciting and delicious discoveries in life and in the kitchen, where her readers always have a seat at the table. 

Teri’s most well known recipes are her “Magic Elixirs” – sauces, garnishes and condiments that make everything taste better!  We love her Tomato Confit, Olive + Garlic Dressing, Homemade Whole30 Mayonnaise and these incredible Sweet + Savory Caramelized Onions.

Sarah Gim, The Delicious Life + Tastespotting

Meet Sarah, the fairy godmother of food porn. Sarah started her blog, The Delicious Life, as a cathartic outlet – and her fabulous food photos and snarky snippets made her a social media sensation. Her viral “fry boards” sparked one of the most important internet debates in recent history, asking: does a tater tot count as a fry?

In 2007, Sarah formed Tastespotting, a highly visual potluck of recipes, references, experiences, stories, articles, products, and anything else that inspires exquisite taste. The site curates and features only the most drool-worthy food images available on the interwebs.

When you’re ready to get your gorgeous food game together, check out Sarah’s Pinot Prune Jam + Cheeseboard Guide, this Salmon with Green Olive Salsa Verde or these Triple-Whipped Sweet Potatoes. Sarah loves ALL California crops (and the wine!) but our avocados have her heart.

sarah gim ca grown food blogger
Britney Brown-Chamberlain, Britney Breaks Bread CA GROWN blogger

Britney Brown-Chamberlain, Britney Breaks Bread

Britney Brown is a recipe developer, photographer, and social media maven. Her blog, Britney Breaks Bread, was born out of a passion for food and travel. After taking a cooking class in Bali, Britney began developing recipes inspired by her adventures.

Britney’s creations have been featured on media outlets such as Food 52, the feedfeed, The Kitchn, The Bake Feed, and she has worked with companies like Sur La Table, World Market, Bake From Scratch and, of course, CA GROWN! To get a taste of Britney’s amazing recipes for baked goods, try her Buttery Prune Starbread and Mixed Berry Shortcakes with Mascarpone Cream. If you’re ready for savory dishes, try her White Wine Herb Chicken and Fig + Burrata Salad.

Jerry James Stone

Jerry James Stone has been developing recipes for about six years at various publications including the Discovery Channel, Whole Foods Market, and Costco. What began as a sustainable wine blog called the Green Wine Guide, eventually morphed into vegetarian pairings for the wines Jerry was reviewing.

Soon after, YouTube approached Jerry to start a cooking channel on the site. Jerry’s sense of humor, step-by-step instructions, and simple, delicious vegetarian cuisine have made him a YouTube sensation! Be sure to check out his Bell Pepper Nachos with One Minute Cheese Sauce, Strawberry Avocado Toast, Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms, Baked Thai Cauliflower Wings and Double Caramel Apple Dutch Baby.

Jerry James Stone
KC Cornwell G-Free Foodie

K.C. Cornwell,  G-Free Foodie + CA GROWN

K.C. is part of the digital team for CA GROWN, managing influencer relationships, social media + digital content. Her team also works with several other California-based food producers, which makes sense, since she’s a 5th generation California farmer too.

K.C. is also the gluten-free expert behind G-Free Foodie. Armed with insights from her agricultural upbringing, K.C. made it her mission to help people better understand their food —what’s in it, where it came from, and how to easily prepare it. Her work has been featured in a number of publications, and she has appeared nationally on Food Network and PBS. Whether you try her Edible Flower Cookies, Sweet Baked Ricotta, Raspberry Frosé Wine Slushies or Roasted Lemon + Garlic Shrimp, you’ll find tons of California goodness in K.C.’s recipes.

PS: her Tomato Water how-to is easy to follow – and it’s the tomato recipe you probably didn’t know you needed.

Irvin Lin, Eat the Love

Irvin Lin is a critically acclaimed cookbook author, IACP-Award winning photographer, award winning baker, award winning former graphic designer, storyteller, recipe developer, writer, and ceramicist. He shares his inspired recipes and gorgeous photographs on his IACP nominated blog, Eat the Love.

Irvin is passionate about helping people understand the rules of baking first, then how those rules can be bent and altered to create something truly unique, magical, and utterly delicious. His creative ways with California grown ingredients include his Carrot Muffins with California Prunes, Pecans and Sunflower Seeds; Fig, Rosemary Focaccia with Honey Lemon Glaze; and Savory Sweet Potato Waffles. He currently resides in San Francisco, where his neighbors regularly request his Tomato Hand Pies.

Irvin Lin - Eat the Love Blog
Kyra Bussanich, Kyra's Bake Shop

Kyra Bussanich, Kyra’s Bake Shop

The only 4-time winner of Cupcake Wars on the Food Network, Kyra Bussanich learned to bake gluten-free in a desire to reclaim her health. Her award-winning bakery, Kyra’s Bake Shop, in Portland, Oregon features baked goods that are even more delicious than their traditional flour-based counterparts and have gained notice from Huffington Post, USA Today, The Today Show, Food and Wine Magazine, and more. She shares baking tips, tricks and recipes in her cookbook, Sweet Cravings.

Kyra’s talents in the kitchen aren’t limited to baked goods, and she is a huge fan of California produce, both in her bake shop and at home. We think you’ll love her recipes for Greek Inspired Quinoa Salad, Tropical Chicken Tostada Salad, Raspberry Mascarpone Tart with Pistachio Crust, and Red, White and Blueberry Cake Roll.

Kate Ramos, ¡Hola! Jalapeño

Kate Ramos always dreamed of being a chef, so she moved to Napa Valley and did just that! While working in restaurant kitchens, Kate fell in love with Mexican cuisine, it’s ingredients, and the beauty, depth and vibrance of Mexican food. Her blog, ¡Hola! Jalapeño is a true expression of her love for this way of cooking. Kate’s work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Parade, Better Homes and Gardens, Shape Magazine and others, and her new cookbook, Plant Powered Mexican is full of incredible dishes.

Kate’s love for all things California grown shines through in her recipes – we are especially fond of her Jugo Verde (Mexican Green Juice), Grape Roasted Beet Salad with Serrano Pepper Dressing, Fresh Kiwi Caipirinhas, and her Charred Poblano Guacamole.

Kate Ramos - Hola Jalapeno Blog

Aida Mollenkamp, Salt & Wind Travel

Aida is a food and travel expert, author, chef, Food Network personality, founder of the travel services company, Salt & Wind Travel, and has made her career in food travel media and hospitality and has crisscrossed the globe to search out the best food destinations. Her cookbook, Keys To The Kitchen, is a go-to for home cooks who want to become more adventurous cooks and the Travel Guides For Food Lovers series she co-authored are beloved among food travelers.

Influenced by her many adventures, and inspired by the abundance of California grown produce, Aida’s recipes are fun, fresh and flavorful. Be sure to try her Honey and Oregano Broiled Feta Caprese, Crunchy Fried Avocado Tacos, Smashed Green Olive and Pistachio Burrata Bruschetta, and One-Pot Lemon Garlic Basil Artichoke Chicken.

Alison Needham, A Girl Defloured

The heart of Alison’s home is definitely the kitchen; It’s where her three kids hang and chat, it’s where the dance party happens each Friday night, and it’s where she gets to do her favorite thing in the world – feed people. She has been a recipe developer for nearly two decades and been featured by Disney, Family Fun, People Magazine, GFF Magazine and others. She pivoted to developing gluten-free recipes that she shares on her blog, A Girl Defloured after she was diagnosed with celiac disease over a decade ago.

Alison grew up in the Central Valley of California and has been eating locally grown food since before it was cool. Her recipes are often inspired by her frequent trips to the farmers market. We think you’ll love her Gluten Free Peach + Blueberry Cobbler, No Cook Fresh Tomato Sauce for Pasta, Heirloom Tomato and Stone Fruit Salad, and Cream of Celery Soup.

Alison Needham | A Girl Defloured
Cheryl Norris, Bakes by Brown Sugar

Cheryl Norris, Bakes by Brown Sugar

Cheryl is an engineer by day and a baker by night (and lots of weekends). A self-described baking science geek, she believes that engineering and baking go hand in hand as both are about getting the basics right. Cheryl was featured in season 4 of the Great American Baking Show and she credits her mom for her love of baking. From pies and tarts, to muffins and cookies, Cheryl focuses on a seasonal approach to her recipes that she shares on her blog Bakes by Brown Sugar.

Cheryl was born and raised in Oregon. Maybe that’s why she loves the sunny flavors of California Grown citrus and bakes with it often. Be sure to check out her Meyer Lemon Upside Down Cake, Blood Orange Curd Tart, and her Meyer Lemon Cardamom Pound Cake. We also love her Apple Cake with Pistachios!

Becky Sue Wilberding, Baking the Goods

Becky Sue is the creative mastermind behind the hugely popular blog Baking the Goods. A trained designer, she found her way to the kitchen as a creative outlet and discovered she was really great at baking. So did the grateful recipients of said baked goods. Naturally, people started asking for the recipes so Becky Sue decided to have a go at blogging, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Becky Sue, and her recipes, have been featured in Food Network Magazine, Bake From Scratch Magazine, Cherry Bombe Magazine, Where Women Cook Magazine and numerous cookbooks. You’ll love her Purple Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls, Roasted Carrot and Herby Feta Galette, Caramelized Fig and Walnut Bread, and her Candied Tangerine Mascarpone Tart.

Becky Sue Wilberding, Baking the Goods

Rebecca Firth, Displaced Housewife

Rebecca Firth is a food writer, photographer and creator of the desserts-focused blog, Displaced Housewife and author of The Cookie Book and The Cake Book. She’s been working in food for almost a decade: first in catering, then for a local bakery, to now creating recipes for her blog, cookbooks and favorite brands. Rebecca was a finalist of the 2017 Saveur Blog Awards, and her work has appeared in Tasting Table, Sunset Magazine, Buzzfeed, Teen Vogue, Saveur Magazine, Food & Wine and The Washington Post—just to name a few!

To get a taste of some of her California-inspired recipes, check out her Salted Honey Pear Crostata, Favorite Blueberry Muffins, Fresh Lemon Cake, Apple Cinnamon Roll Pull Apart Bread, and Pumpkin Bourbon Cake.

Rochelle Wall, delightful! by Rochelle Leigh Wall

Rochelle is a Los Angeles-based floral designer who specializes in floral designs that are romantic, modern, and wild. She works with locally grown flowers as often as possible, and in color palettes that create a unique and artful feel. Rochelle has made a personal commitment to work with only the very best purveyors of California Grown flowers, including local flower farmers and flowers sourced from her own farm. She creates unique, unusual, and provocative arrangements and installations for a range of events, small to large, including weddings, birthday parties, showers, dinner parties and more!

Rochelle calls herself a crazy plant, cat and chicken lady. She likes to say that she has 20 chickens (and counting), 5 cats, 3 goats, 2 dogs and a couple oak trees (and a partridge and a pear tree).

Rochelle Wall, Delightful! by Rochelle Leigh Wall
Rachel Dunston, Rachel Makes It

Rachel Dunston, Rachel Makes It

A seasoned baker and lip sync professional of sorts, Rachel Dunston likes to hang out in the candy and toy aisles at Target. Her house always smells like cake and is full of wild children who make a lot of loud noise. Best known for her mind blowing and creatively decorated cakes, Rachel currently teaches classes, hosts events, raises kids and has worked with many California commodity companies. Rachel appeared on the Food Network in 2020.

We know you’ll love her delicious recipe for Sticky Gingerbread Cake with California Prunes, Sweet Potato Cookies with Pecans, Mini Fruit Cakes, and her No Bake Peach Tart!

Elina Saiach

Elina has lived in Argentina, Belgium, UK, Italy, Colombia and Uruguay, and now resides with her family in San Francisco, CA.  Exploring the local food in the places she has lived brought her a love of diversity in cuisine + a belief that cooking has no borders. She paired a love of cooking with another passion – food photography – and started elinasaiach.com to share both. 

Elina’s website + social posts are in Spanish, and she’s started offering simple translations on her posts as her English-speaking audience grows. Her work has been featured by several companies + media outlets, including Elle Japan, Pottery Barn + Nordic Ware.

We’re obsessed with her recipes for Galette de Fruta y Pistachos and Artichokes with Mustard Vinaigrette.

Vy Tran, Beyond Sweet and Savory

Vy is a clinical pharmacist by day, and an avid home cook in the evenings and weekends. Her blog, Beyond Sweet and Savory, documents her family’s recipes and culinary experiments. Vy immigrated to the United States from Vietnam when she was ten. Growing up, she ate primarily Vietnamese cuisine until college where she was introduced to a vast array of global flavors. This new-found love of all kinds of foods gave her an even deeper appreciation for her mom’s home cooked meals. Vy was inspired to learn to cook the traditional Vietnamese foods she missed so much.

Vy’s blog is heavily influenced by her heritage as well as the seasons, San Diego fish market, local farmers markets, and what’s growing in her garden. We’re obsessed with her Strawberry Elderflower Sorbet, Vietnamese Prawn and Sweet Potato Fritters, and her Prune Morning Buns.

Hilary Rance

Hilary Rance is part of the digital team for California Grown and works closely with several California commodity boards and influencers. She enjoys sharing stories about the people, places and products that make our state so incredibly special.

Hilary is a self-professed history buff, and enjoys researching and writing about random topics ranging from the battle for food literacy to Sacramento’s Farm to Fork Movement.

Hilary Rance, CA Grown Creator

Amanda McCrossin (SommVivant) California Wines Grown to Be Great Influencer

Amanda McCrossin, SommVivant

Amanda McCrossin is a sommelier, media personality, wine educator, host of the Wine Access Unfiltered Podcast and the host/creator of the Instagram, TikTok + YouTube channels, “SommVivant.”  Amanda has been featured by numerous publications and media outlets including SOMM TV, Food Network, Wine Enthusiast, Somm Journal, Food & Wine, World of Fine Wine, & Wine Spectator.

Today, Amanda focuses on producing wine “edutainment” and digital media content for her social media platforms geared toward both consumers and professionals.

Be sure to check out Amanda’s blog, where she features witty travel guides on wine regions like Napa Valley and Paso Robles.

Jessica Lawson, Big Delicious Life

Jessica Lawson is a self-taught home chef and baker with a passion for healthy-ish living. Her love for food comes from her family and from working and living all over the world. She believes that taking a seat a someone’s table and sharing a meal is the best way to learn about others. As a trained health and wellness coach, Jessica is all about food freedom and eating what makes you feel good in your body. Most of her recipes will have you shopping the perimeter of the grocery store, where you’ll find the freshest, seasonal, real food ingredients.

You’ll love her recipes for Shaved Vegetable Salad, Sweet Potato Avocado Toast, and Stone Fruit Salad with Honey, Lemon, and Thyme. And be sure to check out her blog for many many more!

Kyle Haggerty, Urban Farmstead

Kyle Haggerty, Urban Farmstead

In 2014, Kyle moved to Sacramento to take a job with the local fire department and bought a house with a bare backyard. He immediately set to work creating his very own urban farmstead. Starting with seven raised beds and assorted fruit trees, he began the process of transforming the blank space into an edible garden. He detailed the process on his Urban Farmstead’s YouTube Channel, and, as a result, turned his love for gardening into a devoted online community and a successful small business. You can also find him on Instagram.

Kyle is passionate about growing his own food, creating a flourishing community and helping others think about where their food comes from. His YouTube channel is full of how-to videos that will guide you through every step of the process of starting your own home garden.

Daniela Gerson, Waves in the Kitchen

Daniela Gerson is a photographer, creative director, chef, stylist and recipe developer with a gorgeous prop-filled studio in Venice, California. She began her career as a chef and loved sourcing colorful produce from local markets, emphasizing the beauty of real food. She now considers herself an artist with food as her medium.

You can find more of her delicious (and beautiful) recipes on her website, Waves in the Kitchen, but we are especially fond of her California Summer Rainbow Salad, Sweet Potato Salad with Maple Lime Vinaigrette, and vibrant Beet Hummus.

Katie Olesen

Katie Olesen, Wheat by the Wayside

Katie is a fearless gluten-free recipe creator, food photography nut, and kitchen confidant! She recreate all of the gluten-free comfort foods you crave with well tested, delicious, & easy recipes! After her diagnosis with Celiac Disease in 2018, it became her mission to create gluten-free recipes that work for people, using several popular flour blends available on the market. She tests her recipes many times before they even make it to the blog, so you know her recipes work!

Her Blog Wheat by the Wayside has been featured on Beyond Celiac as part of the gluten-free and celiac blogger community, as a top rated celiac and gluten-free blog on Spokin, and in various roundups such as Parade’s 60 Best Gluten-free Christmas Cookies. Katie has also created recipes for many popular brands. Be sure to check out her recipes for Gluten Free Prune Sticky Buns with Pecan Caramel Topping, and Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette, and Pumpkin Pecan Pie.

Alycia Moreno, Grace Rising

Alycia Moreno is a media entrepreneur and passionate photographer who has turned her lens to documenting food stories and capturing the essence of California farming and agriculture. As the former co-founder of a thriving catering business and restaurant with her chef husband, Alycia has a deep understanding of the culinary world and a love for seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. When she’s not exploring California’s natural landscapes, Alycia can be found working alongside her husband, creating dishes that showcase the best of what the region has to offer. She is dedicated to capturing the beauty and diversity of California’s food culture and hopes to inspire others to appreciate and support their local food scene. She often shares her work and insights on social media and collaborates with others to promote the vibrant food community in California.

Illyana Maisonet, Eat Gorda Eat

Illyanna is the first Puerto Rican food columnist in the United States. Her debut cookbook, Diasporican: A Puerto Rican Cookbook is the first of its kind, a Puerto Rican cookbook written from the perspective of someone from the diaspora. She won the “emerging voice” James Beard Award for the book, which is loaded with recipes like this Casa Adela-Inspired Roasted Chicken.

Her work can be seen in Food & Wine, Saveur, Bon Appetit, Food 52, Lucky Peach. Her former SF Chronicle column, Cocina Boricua, focused on Puerto Rican food throughout the diaspora.

Bronwen Wyatt, Bayou Saint Cake

Bronwen Wyatt of Bayou Saint Cake in New Orleans, LA., is a pastry chef who creates magical Instagram-famous cakes with local and premium ingredients. Each month she creates a new menu inspired by the season (and what is in season). Bronwen is a huge fan of California prunes and has created many recipes that feature them!

Check out her Prune Upside Down Cake, Spiced Prune Caramel Sauce and Almond Cake with Prune-Raspberry Butter featured by Cherry Bombe media.

Amy Myrdal Miller, RDN Farmers Daughter Consulting

Amy Myrdal Miller, MS, RDN, FAND, is an award-winning dietitian, farmer’s daughter, public speaker, author, and president of Farmer’s Daughter® Consulting, Inc., an agriculture, food, and culinary communications firm. Amy’s career highlights include working for Dole Food Company, the California Walnut Commission and California Walnut Board, and The Culinary Institute of America. A farmer’s daughter from North Dakota, today Amy and her husband Scott Miller live in Carmichael, California with “the interns” Violet Grey and Schroeder the Shredder.

Her new cookbook Cooking à la Heart is available in bookstores now. We think you’ll love her recipe for Olive Oil + Walnut Brownies.

Jaíne Mackievicz

Jaíne Mackievicz moved to the United States from the Brazilian Amazon in 2017 with one goal in mind. She wanted to learn to cook like her childhood hero, Julia Child. She had originally hoped to attend the Gastronomy program at Boston University. When that didn’t work out, something different (or as she’ll tell you, something magical) fell into place. Jaíne had written a wildly successful article for the Julia Child edition of Cherry Bombe magazine. Her work made an impression on folks in the culinary world. When Food Network was casting the 2022 Julia Child Challenge, Jaíne was invited to audition – and won. She’s in the process of writing her first cookbook and maintains a weekly newsletter, Dinner at Jaíne’s.

You’ll love her recipes for Cucumber Yogurt and Golden Raisin Salad, Coconut Pots de Crème with Rum Stewed Fruit and Arroz de Festa!

Processed with VSCO with a6 preset
headshots of Jaíne Mackievicz - photos provided by influencer
headshots of Jaíne Mackievicz - photos provided by influencer
Michelle Tam of Nom Nom Paleo

Michelle Tam, Nom Nom Paleo

When Michelle Tam graduated from Berkeley with a degree in Nutrition and Food Science, she thought she had her diet and nutrition game on lock down. However, after a decade of working the graveyard shift in medical sales while raising two small children, she started to question the effectiveness of calorie counting and the low fat meal plans she’d been indoctrinated with during her studies. After her husband embraced ancestral eating, Michelle decided to give it a go as well. To her surprise, they both experienced increased energy levels and fewer cravings. And the food…well, it was delicious. Michelle started Nom Nom Paleo to chronicle her culinary adventures. Since then, she’s transitioned her personal blog into a bona fide food site, winning numerous awards and gaining recognition from big names like Saveur along the way. Michelle has also authored three Paleo cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food For Humans, Ready or Not, and her latest offering, Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go!

Tawnie Graham, RDN Kroll’s Korner

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Tawnie’s focus is sharing nutrient rich and easy-to-make-meals for you. Eating healthy is already challenging, especially in this fast paced society we live in and she makes it fun and reasonable for you to nourish your body with simple and flavorful recipes.

While getting her Bachelor’s degree in Food & Nutrition at the University of Fresno she fell even more in love with nutrition and food and knew she wanted to create a legacy sharing my nutrition philosophy as a trusted expert. Her new cookbook Italian Cooking in Your Instant Pot: 60 Flavorful Homestyle Favorites Made Faster Than Ever is available now. Or you can find more of her recipes on her blog Kroll’s Korner.

Spencer Cooks

Spencer Huey, Spencer Cooks

Spencer sees food as a fertile medium for creating community. He grew up watching Jacques Pepin and Julia Child on TV, fueling a lifelong love of food. In addition to running his successful Spencer Cooks YouTube channel, he works as a cook at the world famous Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA.

Check out Spencer’s recipes for  Spicy Garlicky Clams,  Green Garlic Aioli and Stone Fruit and Tomato Salad Two Ways.

Aliza J. Sokolow, this is what i eat.

Aliza is coming out with her first book THIS IS WHAT I EAT with Random House Kids books on January 3, 2023. Prior to her upcoming book she worked as a food stylist and photographer for both digital and print. She got her start working for Jamie Oliver on his “Food Revolution” project. Aliza’s work has won an Emmy and two Emmy nominations as well as a James Beard literary award.

Visit her website to see more of her work or to order some of her spectacular baked goods which she sells periodically, “bake sale” style.

Tahiri Flores of Tahiri Flowers with fresh veggies harvested from her garden

Tahiri Flores, Tahiri Flowers

First name Tahiri, last name Flowers. Actually….Tahiri’s last name is really Flores – but since Flores means “flowers” in Spanish, it’s particularly fitting for this maker who’s obsessed with all things gardening.  Tahiri is based out of California’s Central Valley. The temperate weather and fertile soils allow her to experiment with a variety of flowers and plants. She recently started sharing her adventures and creations on her Instagram page and blog, Tahiri Flowers. We can’t wait to see what this up-and-coming creator has in store! Try her Olive and Pepper Queso Fundido and Homemade Chamoy recipes!

Stephanie Vanlochem, Cook By Color 

Stephanie Vanlochem transformed herself from a self-proclaimed, “city dwelling, unhappy, overweight, stagnant cigarette smoker” to a Holistic Nutritionist food blogger and Whole30 coach. Now, she dedicates her days to helping her followers find their happiest, healthiest selves.  Stephanie’s blog, Cook By Color ,  empowers people to have the confidence to get in the kitchen and whip up something beautiful using what’s on hand, no recipe needed. 

Stephanie Vanlochem of Cook by Color
Leota Wilson and Mikaela Falwell of Curly Cultivators

Leota Wilson + Mikaela Falwell, Curly Cultivators

Leota + Mikaela are avid gardeners and farm-to-table enthusiasts.  The couple has channeled their love of learning, sustainability and food into creating an edible garden and transforming outdoor spaces.  They invite their audience to follow along on Tik Tok and Instagram as they embark on projects like converting grass into a fruit + vegetable garden, adding a worm composting system, and installing a perennial pollinator garden. Leota + Mikaela’s enthusiasm is contagious – and evident in their educational (and entertaining) content.

Erin Alderson

Erin Alderson, the creator of Naturally Ella, is a champion of whole, seasonal ingredients, celebrated for her inventive vegetarian recipes and rustic, approachable style. Drawing inspiration from her rural roots and commitment to sustainable, plant-based cooking, Erin transformed her personal journey toward healthier eating into a trusted resource for wholesome, down-to-earth meals. Known for her stunning food photography and thoughtful recipes, she highlights the diversity of seasonal produce with modern takes on comfort food.

Erin has also authored several cookbooks, including her latest, The Yearlong Pantry. Check out her recipes for Chile Walnut Cauliflower and Miso Carrot Pasta with Arugula.

Erin Alderson standing in her kitchen
ryan alvarez and adam merrin - husbands that cook headshot

Ryan Alvarez and Adam Merrin, the duo behind Husbands That Cook, share their love of cooking from their small kitchen in Eagle Rock, California. They met in 2001 when Ryan, a jazz singer, and Adam, a recording engineer, crossed paths in a studio, and their connection blossomed into a life of creativity and cooking. Since launching their blog in 2015, it has garnered acclaim as a finalist for Saveur’s Best How-To Cooking Blog Award and a Taste Talks Awards nominee for Best Food Blog. We’re big fans of their Pistachio Pesto and their Mint Chip Avocado Milkshake.

Their newest cookbook That Takes the Cookie is full of creative and delicious treats.

Susan Phillips, the CA GROWN Mom

Susan Phillips grew up in a small farming town in California’s Central Valley.  She toddled through her dad’s cotton and tomato fields as soon as she could walk and made colossal mud pies with cousins.  Her farming heritage goes all the way back to her maternal great-great-grandfather being one of the first settlers to farm in Ventura County.  Dominic McGrath was an innovative grower and created a farming dynasty that is still alive today.

Susan inherited those innovative genes from both sides of her family and channels that resourcefulness in her own way – previously developing tutorials her blog Living with Punks, and freelance writing for Momtastic – a website focused on equipping today’s mom with all the tools needed for raising a fun, healthy family. Our favorite of Susan’s creations is this DIY Floral Ice Bucket for wine!

susan phillips

New Member Sign Up

Your participation is appreciated. Please fill-out the form below and a Buy California Marketing Agreement (BCMA) representative will contact you. Or, you may contact the BCMA at info@californiagrown.org.

Download Pdf Form

Licensing Sign Up

Your participation is appreciated. Please fill-out the form below and a Buy California Marketing Agreement (BCMA) representative will contact you. Or, you may contact the BCMA at 916-441-5302.

Certification Mark Licensing Agreement Service Mark Compliance agreement