Dr. Betty Edmond is a physician who has worked in health care and disease prevention in various capacities for over 30 years. She has served as a teacher, researcher and Pediatric Infectious Disease Consultant, as well as Medical Director of a regional children's medical center and Vice President and Senior Executive of austin's largest integrated healthcare system.
Throughout her career, Dr. Edmond has been interested in nutrition and food's power to transform health. In 2008 she graduated from the Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts in Austin where she studied culinary arts and related health management. In 2009 she completed an additional year of study at the Academy focused on advanced training for teachers and counselors.
Dr. Edmond is currently involved with education on the vital role food plays in creation of health. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Oriental Medicine of Austin. Her goals for La Grande Vita are to spread an approach to eating that helps others create their own health and contributes to reversing the increasing trend of chronic disease impacting human health and happiness worldwide.
Brooke Northcutt has a long-standing interest in foods and lifestyle practices that heal the body, promote spiritual peace and awareness, and serve the well-being of the planet. To that end she studied Ecology at Rhodes College and in Costa Rica through Duke University and later human sustainability through Permaculture in Austin.
Brooke's other love has always been cooking. She taught herself to cook while in high school preparing meals for her family. After graduating from college, Brooke decided to pursue her culinary interests. She worked as a Prep Chef at Marye's Gourmet Pizza and Mezzaluna and later joined her mother to study the energetics and preparation of natural foods at the Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts.
Brooke is currently an instructor at the Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts and aids the school through curriculum development and the creation of teacher's manuals. She particularly enjoys teaching transitional classes that highlight exciting and flavorful whole foods dishes.
Brooke also teaches whole foods baby and toddler classes through
La Grande Vita, a company she owns with her mother. In all classes she
speaks to food preparation and the nutritive value of all foods from both eastern and western perspectives, inviting students to experience the joyful, transformative effects of whole foods.