Chef Leah DiBernardo's remarkable culinary journey defies conventional paths, weaving together the threads of family tradition, environmental stewardship, and passionate storytelling. From her idyllic childhood on an Oregon farm where her American-Italian family embraced a "food hippie" lifestyle—growing their produce and butchering their own animals—emerged a profound understanding of food's connection to land and health.
The transformative moment came when her grandmother Conchetta taught young, shy Leah to make gnocchi while singing "Jingle Bells" at the top of her lungs. This joyful culinary awakening sparked a lifelong relationship with cooking, though her path first detoured through film school and a successful career creating MTV campaigns and music videos with artists like Mariah Carey. It wasn't until becoming a mother in 2001 that Chef Leah returned to her culinary roots, dismayed by the processed foods served at her daughter's school.
What started as Delights Fine Food, an organic catering company launched with her sister in Temecula, evolved into Eat Marketplace (Extraordinary Artisans at the Table) when the 2008 economic downturn demanded reinvention. With just $5,000 and existing equipment, Leah created a haven for sustainable, locally-sourced food that nurtures both people and community. Her partnership with Rancho Family Medical Group to create health-focused cooking videos underscores her core philosophy that "the farm is our pharmacy."
Most remarkably, Chef Leah's vision extends beyond personal success. She's actively working toward giving Eat Marketplace ownership to her predominantly female staff, continuing her commitment to lifting other women in the culinary world. As she looks toward writing books, teaching, and supporting her daughter's creative ventures, she emphasizes the importance of discernment—making thoughtful choices about our paths and the people we surround ourselves with.
Join us for this inspiring conversation about sustainable food systems, women's entrepreneurship, and creating a legacy that's "good, clean, and fair for everyone." Subscribe to hear more stories of culinary innovation and personal transformation that nourish both body and soul.
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