When we first formed the ISVA, it was to create an organization that brought sous vide enthusiasts together to share their passion. Part of that was reaching a wide range of people, from home cooks to pros, from European cuisine to Asian. The more diversity you have in your cooking, the stronger cook you will be.

We also believe this is true for organizations. To help achieve this vision with the diversity of our speakers, committee members, and attendees, we are forming a Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which is tasked with:

1) Increasing the involvement and contribution of BIPOC and female attendees, speakers, presenters, and committee members.

2) Ensuring that ISVA events are inclusive and everyone feels not only safe, but also welcome and accepted.

Committee Chairs

We are thrilled to have Lennis Perez from LP Wellness and Chelsea Cole from A Duck's Oven and Vesta Precision spearheading this committee.

Lennis is a wellness consultant, public speaker, and Latina mentor with a certification in plant-based nutrition and a Masters in Chemical Engineering. Her passion for elevating the voices of those with diverse backgrounds will be key to her role as part of the committee. 

Chelsea has been food blogging at A Duck's Oven for 10 years, is the Director of Marketing at Vesta Precision, and sits on the board of the Portland Culinary Alliance. She strives to make everyone feel comfortable in the kitchen, regardless of their experience, and is a fan of food that ranges from half a pizza on a Friday night to sous vide picanha with dijon horseradish sauce. Find her on Instagram to chat more: @aducksoven.

How Can You Help?

The are multiple ways our members can help.

First, we'd love to get to know more about you all!  If you are willing, filling out this survey will help us get a handle on who are members currently are.

Second, if you know of any BIPOC or female chefs, home cooks, or enthusiasts who use sous vide, please let them know about us! We are always looking for presenters, guests for the Exploring Sous Vide Show, and people willing to share their knowledge! Have them email events@theisva.org and we can chat with them about getting involved!

Third, if you'd like to be involved with the committee in any way, they are looking for contributions of all kinds, big or small. So please email inclusion@theisva.org and Lennis or Chelsea will be happy to discuss ways to work together.