Northwest VegFest 2026 Speaker Lineup
Cooking Demo
Aaron Adams Casanas - Chef, Founder of Asterapdx
More information coming soon!
Bio
Aaron Adams Casanas is the Chef and Owner of Astera, a acclaimed plant-based tasting menu restaurant in Portland’s Buckman neighborhood.
With a deep passion for Oregon’s seasonal, farmed, foraged, and fermented ingredients, Aaron crafts multi-course experiences that celebrate the abundance of the Pacific Northwest through creative techniques, craft fermentation, and refined vegan cuisine.
Born in Livermore, California, he moved to Portland in 2003 and built his career around innovative, vegetable-forward cooking. Previously known for his pioneering work at Fermenter and Workshop, Aaron opened Astera to deliver an elevated, joyful fine-dining experience rooted in sustainability and flavor.
website: https://www.asterapdx.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/chefaaroncasanas/
VITALITY & WELLNESS
The science of plant-based health.
OUR WORLD, OUR IMPACT
Expert insights on activism, environment, and exploration
Cooking Demo
Chef AJ - Plant-Based Pioneer, Chef, Author & Speaker
More information coming soon!
Bio
Chef AJ has been a culinary leader for over 48 years. Former host of "Healthy Living with CHEF AJ" on Foody TV, she is a speaker and author of four bestsellers, including "The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss" and "Unprocessed." Previously the Executive Pastry Chef at Santé in LA, she specialized in sugar-, oil-, and salt-free desserts. Today, she hosts a thriving YouTube channel with 250,000+ subscribers, interviewing health experts and sharing recipes to inspire thousands to live healthier.
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbyCJY7AC4k&t=276s
WEB: https://chefaj.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/therealchefaj/
Delicious Anti-Inflammatory Quinoa Salads
Linda Tyler, Author and Instructor
Whether you’re struggling with inflammation or just want to stay in tip-top shape, come learn how a plant-based diet can make a big difference. Linda will discuss the ways diet can calm inflammation and will demonstrate three variations of a quinoa salad from her Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook. The salads will feature an array of anti-inflammatory superstars—the foods that research has shown to be especially helpful with inflammation. Come taste these healthy, flavorful salads and see how delicious plant-based eating can be.
Bio
Linda Tyler is a Portland-based cooking instructor, cookbook author, and food photographer. Her Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook focuses on superstar foods that can help calm chronic inflammation. Her meal-prep guide, Cook Once, Eat Better, provides 12 weeks of healthy, balanced plant-based meals using an easy mix-and-match approach for maximum efficiency and flexibility. Linda teaches cooking classes for Portland Community College, including one-on-one plant-based lifestyle sessions, and is on the video review team for Nutritionfacts.org
WEB: graciousvegan.com
Cooking Demo
Miyoko - Award-winning Chef, Author, Entrepreneur and Speaker
More information coming soon!
Bio
Miyoko Schinner is an award-winning chef, author, and founder of Miyoko’s Creamery, credited with bringing vegan cheese to the mainstream. An activist and "Vegan Revolutionary," she founded Rancho Compasión animal sanctuary and teaches at UC Berkeley. Miyoko has authored seven books, including the bestseller "The Homemade Vegan Pantry," and appeared in the Netflix series "You Are What You Eat." A global speaker and former PBS host, she continues to inspire food innovation from West Marin, CA.
WEB: https://www.miyokoschinner.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/miyokoschinner/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/miyokoschinner/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@thevegangoodlifewithmiyoko
Cooking Demo
Plant Based Papi: Jewan Manuel - Chef
More information coming soon!
Bio
Jewan Manuel, known as Plant Based Papi, is a celebrated vegan chef and founder of Plant Based Papi in Portland, Oregon.
Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, Jewan brings bold flavors, creativity, and soul to plant-based cooking. He transforms familiar comfort foods and Latin-inspired dishes into elevated vegan experiences using whole ingredients, fermentation, and inventive techniques — proving that plant-based isn’t a compromise, it’s an upgrade.
After moving to Portland in 2017, he launched Plant Based Papi as pop-ups in 2018. His cult-favorite tacos and tasting menus quickly gained a loyal following, leading to a brick-and-mortar restaurant and ongoing residencies, including at Dame.
WEB: https://www.plantbasedpapi.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/itsplantbasedpapi/
Cooking Demo
Turnip Vegan: Todd Anderson - Chef, Author, Content Creator
More information coming soon!
Bio
Todd Anderson, widely known as Turnip Vegan, is a celebrated vegan chef, content creator, and two-time cookbook author based in California.
A passionate advocate for plant-based living, Todd creates bold, craveable vegan versions of comfort food favorites using fresh plants and mushrooms. Since going vegan in 2016, he has built a massive following by making plant-based eating fun, approachable, and flavorful. He is best known for his creative recipes, mushroom cultivation, fermentation, and vibrant social media content.
Former co-owner of Spoiled Vegans Cafe in San Diego, Todd now focuses on recipe development, his popular Turnip Vegan Recipe Club, and growing his brand through cookbooks, digital guides, and wellness products.
WEB: https://turnipvegan.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/turnipvegan/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv8-TTZLwuwqfBPiwN2kQVQ
TURNIP RECIPE CLUB: https://www.turnipvegan.club/
Cooking Demo
Eleni Woldeyes - Chef, Founder Eleni’s Kitchen
More information coming soon!
Bio
Eleni Woldeyes is the founder of Eleni’s Kitchen, a Portland-based Ethiopian food business specializing in traditional sauces and frozen injera made from teff. After moving from Ethiopia, she was inspired to make authentic Ethiopian food more accessible to her new local community. Her products are available in local co-ops, New Seasons, and Market of Choice stores, and have gained a loyal following across diverse communities. In addition to her business, Eleni has spent more than 10 years teaching Ethiopian cooking classes through Portland Community College, sharing the culture and traditions behind the cuisine.
WEB: https://www.eleniskitchen.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/eleniskitchen.ethiopianfood/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/eleniskitchen.eleniskitchen/
Live Your Life with E.N.E.R.G.Y!
Terri Chrisman - Board-Certified Nutritionist and Author
In this engaging keynote, Terri Chrisman explores how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health and vitality. Using her E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, she introduces six pillars that support long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Terri will also host a plant-based cooking demonstration featuring recipes from her book Fabulous Health: A Simple Plan to Get Well and Stay Well, along with an interactive workshop that provides practical tools for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life.
Bio
Terri Chrisman is a board-certified nutritionist and award-winning author dedicated to helping people improve their health through practical, science-based lifestyle strategies. Her work focuses on empowering individuals to prevent and reverse chronic disease through whole-food, plant-based nutrition and sustainable daily habits. Through her presentations, writing, and educational programs, Terri inspires people to take control of their health and build lasting wellness.
Health & Welllness Presentation
Chef AJ - Plant-Based Pioneer, Chef, Author & Speaker
More information coming soon!
Bio
Chef AJ has been a culinary leader for over 48 years. Former host of "Healthy Living with CHEF AJ" on Foody TV, she is a speaker and author of four bestsellers, including "The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss" and "Unprocessed." Previously the Executive Pastry Chef at Santé in LA, she specialized in sugar-, oil-, and salt-free desserts. Today, she hosts a thriving YouTube channel with 250,000+ subscribers, interviewing health experts and sharing recipes to inspire thousands to live healthier.
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbyCJY7AC4k&t=276s
WEB: https://chefaj.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/therealchefaj/
Health & Wellness Presentation
Dr. Alan Goldhamer - Founder, TrueNorth Health Center
More information coming soon!
Bio
Dr. Alan Goldhamer is the founder of TrueNorth Health Center, where he has supervised water-only fasting for over 25,000 patients since 1984. A leading expert in therapeutic fasting, he directs a multidisciplinary team treating conditions from hypertension to autoimmune disorders. He is the author of The Health Promoting Cookbook and co-author of The Pleasure Trap. Dr. Goldhamer has published numerous peer-reviewed studies and lectures globally on restoring health through diet and fasting.
WEB: https://www.healthpromoting.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/therealchefaj/
Health & Wellness Presentation
Matt Ruscigno - MPH, RD, and Expert in Sports Nutrition
More information coming soon!
Bio
Matt Ruscigno, MPH, RD, is a sports nutrition expert and author of five books, including No Meat Athlete. A leading voice in the field, he is a past chair of the Vegetarian Nutrition Group and a founding board member of the P-POD Conference. An elite ultra-cyclist, Matt has finished the 508-mile Furnace Creek race three times. He advocates for a realistic, science-based approach to nutrition, proving that plant-based athletes can compete at the highest levels without exaggerating health claims.
WEB: https://mattruscigno.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mattruscigno/
Health & Wellness Presentation
Chuck Underwood - MPH, RD, and Expert in Sports Nutrition
More information coming soon!
Bio
Chuck Underwood is a plant-based influencer and an avid vegan cook, blogger, author, and YouTuber. Chuck began experimenting with plant-based cooking in 2008 and is a graduate of T. Colin Campbell’s Plant-Based Nutrition Course. Brand New Vegan is unique in that it focuses on helping people make the transition easier by providing comfort-food recipes people already know and love. Chuck currently lives in the suburbs of Portland, OR.
WEB: https://www.brandnewvegan.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/brandnewvegan/
PODCAST: https://bnvpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Special Presentation
Kip Andersen - founder of A.U.M. Films and Media
More information coming soon!
Bio
Kip Andersen is a filmmaker, producer, and founder of A.U.M. Films and Media, a non-profit dedicated to creating impactful films and media that promote compassion, sustainability, and harmony for all life.
He is best known for directing and producing the groundbreaking documentaries Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014), What the Health (2017), Seaspiracy (2021), and Christspiracy (2024). His films have sparked global conversations about animal agriculture, environmental destruction, public health, and ethical living.
A graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Kip is also a certified Jivamukti and Kundalini yoga teacher and a passionate advocate for conscious, plant-based living. He continues to use storytelling to inspire positive change for people, animals, and the planet.
WEB: https://www.aumfilms.org/films-1 INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/kipandersen/
Special Presentation
Gene Baur - President and Co-founder of Farm Sanctuary
More information coming soon!
Bio
Hailed by Time as the “conscience of the food movement,” Gene Baur is a pioneer in undercover investigations and animal rescue. Since the 1980s, his work has exposed factory farming cruelty and inspired the international farm sanctuary movement. Gene was instrumental in passing the first U.S. laws prohibiting cruel farming practices and has authored two bestsellers. He holds degrees from CSU Northridge and Cornell, dedicated to promoting a just and compassionate food system.
WEB: https://www.farmsanctuary.org/about-us/gene-baur/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/genebaur/
Vegan Business & Entrepreneurship
Ashley Castellanos - Founder, Vegan Ventures
More information coming soon!
Bio
Ashley Castellanos is the Founder of Vegan Ventures, what started as just a social media platform in 2020 has grown into a dynamic digital media platform and international travel company dedicated to making plant-based living accessible, exciting, and culturally rich. Through curated vegan group tours, immersive culinary experiences, and comprehensive online resources, Ashley has built Vegan Ventures into a trusted guide for the global vegan community
WEB: www.veganventuresofficial.com IG: @vegan_ventures TIKTOK: @vegan_ventures
FB: @veganventuresofficial YOUTUBE: @veganventuresofficial
Special Presentation
Isaias Hernandez, aka @queerbrownvegan - Environmentalist, Educator and Writer
More information coming soon!
Bio
Isaias Hernandez, known as Queer Brown Vegan, is a prominent environmental activist, educator, and content creator based in Los Angeles.
Through his popular platform @queerbrownvegan, he makes climate justice, environmentalism, and sustainability accessible and inclusive, with a strong focus on intersectionality, queer and BIPOC perspectives, and dismantling environmental racism. He is widely recognized for breaking down complex ecological issues in relatable, honest, and engaging ways.
WEB: https://queerbrownvegan.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/queerbrownvegan/?hl=en
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@queerbrownvegan FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/queerbrownvegan/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@queerbrownvegan
How Dogs Can Thrive On A Healthy Vegan Diet
Susan Webber
More information coming soon!
Bio
Following a successful sales career, Susan founded Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay in 2003. Together with a team of wonderful volunteers, over 2,000 dogs were saved from high kill shelters and placed into loving homes.
Susan worked for Blue Buffalo in lead sales for 5 years beginning her introduction into pet nutrition. She also repped for vegan dog food start-up Wild Earth. Susan is certified in Plant Based Nutrition from eCornell, a certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach through Main Street Vegan Academy and has recently completed Plant Based Nutrition for Dogs through Arielle Griffiths, DVM of Just Be Kind in the U.K.
WEb: https://mainstreetvegan.com/wiley-my-plant-based-miracle-pooch-by-susan-weber-vlce/
THE CULINARY STAGE
Watch, learn, and taste - Cooking demos
