Reimagining Vegan Dining + Broccoli Cheddar Soup with CD Young

10/15/24 • 70 min

In this episode I sit down with restaurateur, Founder and CEO of Chicago’s Spirit Elephant, CD Young to dive into the delicious world of vegan and plant-based cooking. Hear CD's personal story growing up with horses and discovering how remarkably similar to humans they are leading her on a vegan food path. Follow along her inspiring journey as a female restaurateur, overcoming gender biases, and fostering a woman-forward culture in her restaurant, Spirit Elephant. Plus, we talk about the growing trend of zero-proof spirits and the advances in vegan food options leading to more vegan fine dining options (including the mouth-watering Valentine's week menu at her restaurant).

Along the way, CD shares some amazing tips on creating moist, flavorful treats using alternatives like vegan sour cream and plant-based yogurt while we chat about the wonders of aquafaba and its many uses, from making meringues to vegan cheese. You may also catch my personal stories experimenting with alternative ways to whip up a nostalgic snack from my childhood.

Throughout the episode, CD and I reflect on our personal food preferences, favorite vegan products, and the evolving landscape of plant-based dining. CD then walks us through her scrumptious plant-based Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe, perfect for busy days and delightfully zero-waste.

The Recipe starts at 59:31 Resources mentioned in this episode:

Spirit Elephant Restaurant: Website, Instagram Elephant & Vine Restaurant: Website, Instagram

Business Coaching Website: SpiritBizPeople Farm Website: Crown Hill Farm

Missy’s Social Media: Instagram, Facebook

Are you looking to elevate your Business in a mindful and aligned way? Get a 1:1 Business Coaching Session with Missy at: WomenInFood.net/workwithmissy

The Recipe starts at 59:31 Resources mentioned in this episode:

Spirit Elephant Restaurant: Website, Instagram Elephant & Vine Restaurant: Website, Instagram

Business Coaching Website: SpiritBizPeople Farm Website: Crown Hill Farm

Missy’s Social Media: Instagram, Facebook

Are you looking to elevate your Business in a mindful and aligned way? Get a 1:1 Business Coaching Session with Missy at: WomenInFood.net/workwithmissy

Previous Episode

Growing Your Business is Like Growing Anything + Eggs

This episode of Women in Food is a little bit different as I turn the tables, I mean microphone, and sit down to become the guest. I’ve brought in Social Entrepreneurship Coach and Host of the Awarepreneurs podcast, Paul Zelizer to interview ME about food, business and my personal story.

I have to say, as I listen to this conversation, it feels raw and vulnerable to share this behind-the-podcast look at my journey from my childhood growing up in a family business through multiple career chapters to creating what Crown Hill Farm is becoming. During this conversation I share some of my perspectives on intuitive business growth—like the patient tending of a garden—and delve into my strongly held belief in the power of nurturing relationships as the bedrock of success for any business or venture.

Along the way, our conversation organically unfolds between the art of raising chickens, ducks, and geese, the nutritional value of pasture-raised eggs, and my passion for farm-to-table sustainability. Through some of my stories you’ll hear about the resilience I’ve tapped into through life's wild weather, and hear bits of what inspires me to host Women in Food, grow a food-based farm business and of course follow my passion for cooking and food!

I share a recipe for my favorite way to cook eggs — Eggs en Cocotte— as we chat about stewarding the land with grace and my intuitive approach to business coaching. It’s all a part of what weaves through my daily life on the farm. So, join us as we dance within the worlds of business acumen, farming culture, and the reverence for the humble egg in a discussion overflowing with gratitude, interconnectedness, and the celebration of women's influence in the food industry.

The Recipe starts at 51:48 Resources mentioned in this episode:

Business Coaching Website: SpiritBizPeople My Farm Website: Crown Hill Farm

Missy’s Social Media: Instagram, Facebook

Are you looking to elevate your Business in a mindful and aligned way? Get a 1:1 Business Coaching Session with Missy at: WomenInFood.net/workwithmissy

If you enjoyed Paul Zelizer’s interview, please go listen to his podcast, Awarepreneurs

Become a member of the Women In Food Community at: WomenInFood.Net/Community

Next Episode

A New Model for Farmland Access + Seasonal Creamy Pasta with Kristina Villa

In this episode of Women in Food, I sit down with the passionate and inspiring Kristina Villa—farmer, advocate, and Co-Executive Director of Farmers Land Trust. Kristina’s journey is deeply personal, from experiencing food insecurity as a child to dedicating her life towards ensuring farmers have long-term, affordable access to land.

Kristina vulnerably shares how her own experiences with food scarcity shaped her commitment to land access and why she believes decommodifying farmland is crucial for the future of sustainable agriculture. We dive deeper into the innovative models Farmers Land Trust is developing to make farmland more accessible to new young farmers, also discuss the broader impact of land stewardship on food systems, communities, and the environment.

Of course, no episode would be complete without a little kitchen magic! Kristina shares her go-to “Choose Your Own Adventure” Seasonal Creamy Pasta recipe—an endlessly adaptable dish that celebrates the beauty of cooking with whatever fresh, seasonal ingredients you have on hand.

Tune in for a conversation filled with heart, purpose, and a deep love for food, land, and the people who nourish us all.

The Recipe starts at 58:24 Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Farmers Land Trust: Website, Facebook, Instagram Kristina’s Farm, Villa Acres: Website, Instagram

Business Coaching Website: SpiritBizPeople Farm Website: Crown Hill Farm

Missy’s Social Media: Instagram, Facebook

Are you looking to elevate your Business in a mindful and aligned way? Get a 1:1 Business Coaching Session with Missy at: WomenInFood.net/workwithmissy