Speakers will present in the Notre Dame room, and chefs will demo in the pre-function south space (see map).
“What I Wish I’d Learned in Medical School”
Notre Dame Room
Michael A. Klaper, M.D. is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. He has practiced acute care medicine in Hawaii, Canada, California, Florida, and New Zealand, and for the past 35 years has been focusing upon health-promoting food and lifestyle choices to help prevent the need for hospitalization and surgery.
Through his website Moving Medicine Forward, visitors can find updates on his latest teaching activities, subscribe to his free newsletter, “The Forward Report,” and support his “Moving Medicine Forward” Initiative to promote the teaching of applied nutrition in medical schools.
“Baked Polenta with Sunflower Seed Pate”
Pre-Function South (South Wing)
Joanna Samorow-Merzer was born in Lublin, Poland, and is an accomplished painter, working primarily in watercolor and oils. Her recent oil paintings were featured in the background of the film Buddhist Blues.
A dedicated vegan for 29 years, Joanna creates vibrant vegan, gluten-free, raw, and macrobiotic recipes that reflect her commitment to wellness.
Several of her recipes appear in books authored by her husband, Glen Merzer, including No More Bull, Off the Reservation, Own Your Health, and Food Is Climate.
Her personal journey of overcoming symptoms of lupus is chronicled in Chapter Five of Own Your Health.
“The Human Paradox”
Notre Dame Room
Glen Merzer is a playwright, screenwriter, director, podcast host, and author dedicated to advancing the plant-based movement.
He has written or co-authored fifteen books advocating whole-food, plant-based nutrition. He is the co-author of Moving Medicine Forward, whose lead author is Michael Klaper, MD. Other recent work includes Food Is Climate, which argues that animal agriculture is the leading driver of climate change. He is also the author of Own Your Health, a nutrition-focused book told through compelling personal stories.
Beyond nonfiction, Glen wrote the political novel Off the Reservation (2015), which follows a congressman from Bloomington, IN, who embarks on an unexpected presidential run. Glen recently wrote and directed a feature film, Buddhist Blues.
He is delighted to be returning to the Michiana VegFest.
Click here to learn more.
Title to be announced
Pre-Function South (South Wing)
Abra Berens is a Michigan based chef, author, and former farmer. Through every recipe written and meal served, she aims to tighten the connection between eaters and growers. She believes we can invest in a stronger, more equitable food system for everyone, from producers to grocers to consumers.
Her dinners at Granor Farm in Three Oaks, Michigan, made her a James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Chef: Great Lakes.
Ruffage is her first cookbook and focuses on vegetables – how to select them, how to store them, how to prepare them along with hundreds of recipe variations to make it easy to work delicious veggies into your daily repertoire. It was also a Michigan Notable Book winner and James Beard Award nominee.
Grist, her second book, builds upon the ideas of Ruffage to provide creative, easy, and endlessly riff-able meals from grains, beans, seeds, and legumes.
Click here to learn more.
“Plant-Based Food Expansion in Local Restaurants”
Notre Dame Room
Thomas Goodman, president of Plant Dining Partnerships, has been a lifelong admirer of animals, was raised meat-free and later became a professional advocate, in 2014. He has since worked in various initiatives such as corporate outreach, federal state and regulatory advocacy, promotion of Meatless Mondays, leafleting across North America, public speaking, campaigning, community organizing, and more for the animal protection movement.
PDP provides resources for businesses to increase plant-based food options throughout food service industries in all communities, emphasizing food swamps, highlighting competitive price, taste, and convenience opportunities.
Click here to learn more.
“The Hows and Whys of Veganism”
Pre-Function South (South Wing)
Are you new to veganism or feeling veg-curious? Come join “Your Vegan Friend” Tonia L. Carrier Hicks for an engaging, welcoming, and deliciously fun session at Michiana VegFest!
Tonia is a Michigan-based hairstylist, actress, and independent filmmaker with a passion for sharing the joys and benefits of plant-based living. As a contributor to the UnchainedTV network, she uses media and storytelling to educate and inspire others to explore a compassionate, ethical lifestyle.
In this interactive presentation, Tonia will whip up an easy-to-make snack while demonstrating just how simple—and fun—it can be to veganize your favorite recipes. Whether you’re fully vegan, just starting out, or simply curious, she’ll walk you through the practical “how’s” and meaningful “why’s” of going vegan.
Expect real talk, tasty bites, and plenty of encouragement as Tonia creates a welcoming space to ask questions, learn something new, and connect with others. Come ready to talk, snack, and have a great time together!
Click here to learn more.