Nan Cole is a foraging expert based in San Luis Obispo, California, and the resident forager for Ventana Big Sur. She leads foraging walks, both urban and rural, she educates people about the do’s and don’ts of wildcrafting, and she cooks and bakes with her finds. In fact, one of the things that attracted me to Nan’s work was a photo on her Instagram page, @foragerslo, featuring a beautiful macaron made from redwood needle sugar and lemon zest. We walked up to a cozy spot on the side of Cerro San Luis to chat, and she pointed out native plants along the way, sharing how coyote brush is an antidote for poison oak and how mustard plant tastes like broccoli. Then, a couple weeks after our talk, I opened Sunset Magazine to find a full-page spread about Nan and her foraging program at Ventana Big Sur. A rock star! If you don’t feel inspired to join one of her foraging walks after listening to our conversation, you might want to check your pulse, because this woman is inspiring.
Website: ventanabigsur.com
Instagram: @foragerslo
Nancy Ulloa, winemaker and owner, Ulloa Cellars, Paso Robles, California
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Mike Gin and Andrew Gin, authors, ”The Mee Heng Low Gin Family Cookbook,” San Luis Obispo
Penni Monroe and Morgan Monroe, owners, Hush Harbor Bakery, Atascadero
Travis Watson, chef, Hotel Californian, Santa Barbara
Susan Feniger and Liz Lachman, celebrity chef and filmmaker, Los Angeles
Abe and Courtney Stevens, distillers and owners, Humboldt Distillery, Fortuna
Zachary Ahrenholtz, chef, Golden Gate Saloon & Holbrooke Hotel, Grass Valley
Ashley Chaney, food podcaster, ”Dear Food,” Los Angeles
Nicky Giusto, baker and miller, Central Milling, Petaluma
Gina + Mikey Giugni, winemakers, Lady of the Sunshine + Scar of the Sea Wines and Cider, Pismo Beach
Justin Trabue, winemaker and activist, Lumen Wines, Santa Maria
Simonne Mitchelson, winemaker and activist, Los Olivos
Jerime Ford, pitmaster, San Luis Obispo
Dylan Jones, Executive Director, One Cool Earth, Santa Maria
Anita Sahi, owner, Copia Vineyards & Winery, Paso Robles
Mara The Helper, entrepreneur, influencer and helper, Tokyo
Marbue Marke, winemaker and consultant, Napa Valley
Raymond Smith, winemaker and owner, Indigené Cellars, Paso Robles
Shanté Norwood, baker and owner, Té’Stees Cupcakes, Lompoc
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