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Dear Community,
As we continue our Conference Speaker Spotlight Series, we are honored to highlight the impactful work of another inspiring leader:
Jessica VanRoo is more than a chef; she is a visionary educator and a passionate advocate for food as medicine. As Executive Chef at the UC Irvine Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, she leads interdisciplinary programs that bring together professional chefs, registered dietitians, and physicians to connect food and health through meaningful, evidence-based insights.
In this dynamic session, she will share cutting-edge research on fiber’s impact on the gut microbiome, alongside real-world strategies to overcome barriers to healthy eating. With an emphasis on flavor, creativity, and cultural relevance, participants will gain practical and actionable ideas for incorporating fiber-rich foods into everyday life.
Speaker Bio: In the skilled hands of Jessica VanRoo (“Chef Jess”), food becomes medicine that melts in your mouth. A National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Certified Culinary Medicine Professional, and board member of the American College of Culinary Medicine, VanRoo is at the forefront of the food-as-medicine movement. With two decades of experience and a culinary management degree from the Art Institute of Orange County, VanRoo is passionate about teaching people how to prepare food that tastes great while supporting health.
As executive chef of the UC Irvine Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute’s Mussallem Nutritional Education Kitchen, she develops programs that integrate culinary medicine with menus rich in produce influenced by her unique upbringing. Under her leadership, professional chefs, registered dietitians, and physicians collaborate to connect food and health in programs for medical professionals, patients, and community organizations.
To learn more about Chef Jess and see all featured speakers and sessions, check out the updated 2025 Food Justice Conference Program.
With Gratitude,
Heather
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