Food Demos

Dr. Acooba Scott is an accomplished vegan chef, wife, and mother of four. Dr. Scott earned her Doctorate in Education from UCLA and has maintained a plant-based lifestyle for over 35 years. Through classes, demos and coaching, she uses her training in education, her love for cooking, and her passion for vegan living to support people wanting to live a plant-based lifestyle. In addition to being a certified foodie, Dr. Scott is an avid chocolate lover and is sometimes accused of being a total coffee snob. Find and connect with her online at www.acooba.com and www.veganworkshops.com or on Instagram: @acoobascott and on Facebook / @acoobaji.

Parul Aneja is the founder, Food Innovator and Certified nutrition coach for Plovara, a
Chicago-based food company creating globally inspired wholistic Plant Based Dipping and
cooking sauces, oils and Protein rich snacks that make home cooking simple, flavorful, and
accessible. Inspired by her Indian heritage and a passion for plant-forward eating, Parul
combines traditional flavors with modern convenience to help people create wholesome
meals in minutes. Through Plovara, she shares recipes rooted in culture, wellness, and
everyday cooking, encouraging people to explore bold flavors from around the world made
with Fresh ingredients as Fresh Root of Turmeric, Ginger and Aloe vera Gel incorporated
with Avocado Oil.

Shanti Stephens Schramm co-founded Manna Kitchen in 2019. Raised vegetarian since birth, she was deeply influenced by her parents’ pioneering efforts in the organic movement and vegetarian activism. In 1966, her parents opened Vancouver Canada’s first vegetarian restaurant, and Shanti grew up in the numerous establishments they subsequently founded. After completing her college education, she successfully managed her family’s restaurant. Following her marriage in 1994 she moved to Chicago. Shanti and her husband Markus Schramm co-founded Manna Organics, a certified organic commercial bakery in Lisle, Illinois specializing in artisanal nut butters and sprouted whole grain breads. Demonstrating their commitment to plant-based cuisine, they launched Manna Kitchen, the first vegan restaurant in the western suburbs of Chicago. Manna Kitchen serves its diverse customers international vegan comfort foods, catering to vegans and non-vegans alike. Stop by the Manna Organics booth to pick up a menu, coupon, and free samples.

Linda Kordich has been a vegetarian since 1966 and vegan since 1990. She has been coaching and teaching juice therapy since 1974 and was the co-founder of the Juiceman Company which was responsible for inspiring millions of people on television for several decades. She married Jay Kordich in 1981, known by millions as the Juiceman / Father of Juicing for 36 years until his death at 93 in 2017. She was also the co-author of Jay’s #1 NYT’s bestselling book, The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing which sold several million copies as well as being responsible for selling millions of juicers throughout the USA. She’s been on many national tv talk shows and radio programs inspiring others to juice and live a plant-based diet. Since then, she’s produced, designed and published the beautiful book, Live Foods / Live Bodies and a multimedia Living Health Program. She’s now 68 years old and the mother of two boys, 38 and 40, who are both committed vegans.

Linda now lives with Carl Loveday, who helped her produce her Juicing Master Class designed to inspire others to become juice therapy teachers. Carl and Linda work together as coaches and are both authors.

Linda Kordich has been a vegetarian since 1966 and vegan since 1990. She has been coaching and teaching juice therapy since 1974 and was the co-founder of the Juiceman Company which was responsible for inspiring millions of people on television for several decades. She married Jay Kordich in 1981, known by millions as the Juiceman / Father of Juicing for 36 years until his death at 93 in 2017. She was also the co-author of Jay’s #1 NYT’s bestselling book, The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing which sold several million copies as well as being responsible for selling millions of juicers throughout the USA. She’s been on many national tv talk shows and radio programs inspiring others to juice and live a plant-based diet. Since then, she’s produced, designed and published the beautiful book, Live Foods / Live Bodies and a multimedia Living Health Program. She’s now 68 years old and the mother of two boys, 38 and 40, who are both committed vegans.

Linda now lives with Carl Loveday, who helped her produce her Juicing Master Class designed to inspire others to become juice therapy teachers. Carl and Linda work together as coaches and are both authors.

Alison Jim from Purium, The Transformation Company, is an enthusiastic mother of two young boys, a devoted wife, and a collaborative entrepreneur. She works in the creative arts, in recovery, and is passionate about spirituality, health, and the environment. Alison is honored to share her mission-based company, Purium, an organic plant-based, whole food nutrition that is grown from regenerative soil. The company’s conscious commerce empowers people with natural solutions and innovative business models, all the while strengthening the planet via regenerative agriculture and sustainable practices. Alison is accompanied by Chad Stephens who is in charge of prepping and portioning the samples. He is a former professional chef with current Cook County and IL Heath Department Food Sanitation Manager certification.

Dr. Acooba Scott is an accomplished vegan chef, wife, and mother of four. Dr. Scott earned her Doctorate in Education from UCLA and has maintained a plant-based lifestyle for over 35 years. Through classes, demos and coaching, she uses her training in education, her love for cooking, and her passion for vegan living to support people wanting to live a plant-based lifestyle. In addition to being a certified foodie, Dr. Scott is an avid chocolate lover and is sometimes accused of being a total coffee snob. Find and connect with her online at www.acooba.com and www.veganworkshops.com or on Instagram: @acoobascott and on Facebook / @acoobaji.

Christopher Baugh is a seasoned general contractor and developer with over 20 years of experience in high-end residential construction, land acquisition, project management, and commercial renovation and design. He began his career in San Diego, California, where he mastered fine carpentry and contributed to the construction of custom multi-million-dollar homes. His international portfolio includes the design and development of several hospitality ventures, most notably the Kayuan Lumbur Boutique Hotel in Ubud and Sage Restaurant where he led land acquisition, architectural design, and full-scale project execution.

Christopher is the founder of Go Easy Construction, based in Naperville, Illinois, where he continues to oversee high-end residential and commercial projects with a focus on quality craftsmanship and sustainable building practices.

In parallel, he founded Cold Farm Co., a regenerative agriculture venture dedicated to compost-powered greenhouse farming and the development of organic fertilizers and soil inputs. His work bridges the worlds of ecological construction and sustainable food systems, with a vision of building wellness-focused communities rooted in innovation, resilience, and environmental stewardship.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Christopher is known for his even-keeled demeanor and grounded presence, bringing a calm, solutions-oriented mindset to both his work and personal life. A natural problem solver, he approaches challenges with patience, clarity, and creativity—qualities honed through years of experience as a builder, father, and dedicated meditator. His warm, friendly nature fosters strong relationships across teams and communities. At home, he’s a devoted dad and an accomplished chef, with a particular talent for baking artisanal breads that rival his finest builds. These strengths of character shape his leadership and lifestyle alike, making him a steady, thoughtful force in every endeavor he takes on.