Food Innovation

 A Life in Food – Culture, Creativity, and Community Through Cuisine

Margaret Riesen, founder of The Vegetarian Gourmet, brings decades of culinary expertise shaped by an international background and a lifelong commitment to fresh, healthy, and culturally rich food. Raised in Switzerland on her grandparents’ small farm outside Bern, Margaret developed an early appreciation for seasonal, organic ingredients and the shared joy of simple, nourishing meals.

Margaret has worked as a professional chef and culinary educator, including 12 years teaching culinary arts at Santa Barbara Community College. She has written on food and culture for various publications, including Malibu Monthly Magazine, Gay Weddings & Marriage Magazine, and other national and regional outlets.

Since founding The Vegetarian Gourmet in 1997, Margaret has earned a reputation for innovation in vegetarian and vegan cuisine—crafting meals that satisfy both plant-based and traditional palates. Her work highlights the power of food to bring people together, whether in celebration, reflection, or community service.