Nora Pouillon, owner of Restaurant Nora in Washington D.C., will speak at the Isthmus Green Day expo on April 26, 2008 at Monona Terrace. Restaurant Nora is the first organic certified restaurant in the nation. At Isthmus Green Day, Nora will discuss sustainable food and food preparation.
Nora Pouillon is a social entrepreneur and champion of organic, environmentally conscious cuisine. Born in Austria, Nora promotes and embodies healthy, sustainable living. Her inspiration in the kitchen comes from her parents who understood the value of simply prepared seasonal foods. When Nora came to the US, she sought to recreate the same deliciously balanced meals her mother used to cook. She was disturbed by the amount of processed and chemical-laden foods that Americans were eating and made a commitment to advocate for healthy and sustainable lifestyles and to make organic foods accessible to the public.
Nora has made a lifetime commitment to balanced eating and sustainable living that is based on the premise that you are what you eat, drink and breathe, and that it is important to take responsibility for one's own health. Nora's approach also includes a daily exercise routine that strengthens and focuses the body and mind
A renowned chef recognized for her ability to create delicious organic dishes that are healthy and delicious, Nora owns two restaurants, Nora and Asia Nora, in the heart of Washington, DC. Restaurant Nora opened in 1979 and went on to become the nation's first certified organic restaurant in 1999. Only four other restaurants have since achieved this goal. Nora was instrumental in creating the organic certification standards for restaurants that guarantee at least 95% of all food served originates from certified organic sources.
Nora was a founding member of the Chefs Collaborative to educate culinary professionals. For several years she has supported the Tuscarora Organic Growers (TOG), an organic farmer's co-op by introducing the farmers to other local chefs and ensuring their farms' economic viability. Nora also helped found the very first producer-only farmer's markets in the nation's capital, now known as Fresh Farm Markets. Inspired by her childhood and her experience as a mother of four, Nora also helped develop a number of school-based nutrition programs for children.
As a Board member of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs, Nora established an organic internship program and still receives five interns each year at Nora's. The Washington Post named Nora one of the dozen "Power Chefs" in the city. She is the author of Cooking with Nora, which was a finalist for the Julia Child Cookbook Award. Nora also sits on the board of directors for the Amazon Conservation Team, The Environmental Film Festival, Fresh Farm Markets and Wholesome Wave. Nora is on the advisory board of the Center for Mind Body Medicine's "Food as Medicine" program, and Rachel's Network. She has received numerous awards from the International Association of Culinary Professionals, the Organic Trade Association, New Hope Natural Media, the American Horticultural Society, Campaign for Better Health, and others.
Together with her partner and children, Nora enjoys the same healthy sustainable lifestyle to which she is committed in her work.
To learn more about Isthmus Green Day or Nora Pouillon, please visit www.isthmus.com/green or www.noras.com.