In this episode of Nourished with Nora, Nora sits down with Chef Johanna Hellrigl—mom, restaurateur, and visionary behind Alma, one of the most sustainable restaurants in the country. Recently featured in The New York Times and celebrated for her leadership in rethinking restaurant culture, Johanna is proving that food, health, and planetary wellbeing are deeply interconnected.
Together, Nora and Johanna explore:
The principles that guide Alma's mission-driven approach
How sustainability and health go hand-in-hand for both guests and restaurant teams
Why "question everything" has become a core philosophy for shifting food systems
The hidden health risks of plastics and what it takes to change restaurant norms
The power of primary foods—community, relationships, joy—alongside what's on the plate
The balancing act of being a chef, entrepreneur, and mom while pushing for systemic change
Johanna also shares her passion project with Dr. Manasa Mantravadi: designing stainless steel containers to replace ubiquitous plastic deli containers—bringing real solutions from restaurants into homes and schools.
Learn more about Alma: amarestaurant.bar
Follow Johanna: @chefjohannaherrigel on Instagram
