Chef Dustin Harder

My name is Dustin Harder, and I'm the founder and Culinary Director of Smash Food Lab in Chicago—a culinary studio offering private chef services, boutique catering, seasonal supper clubs, cooking classes, and limited-edition pre-order menus. I'm also the host and creator of the original vegan travel culinary series The Vegan Roadie and the weekly podcast Keep On Cookin’. Previously, I served as the Culinary Specialist for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. My debut cookbook, The Simply Vegan Cookbook, was named one of Forbes’ “Best Vegan Cookbooks,” and my follow-up, Epic Vegan Quick and Easy, earned second place in the International Vegan Film Festival Cookbook Contest. I’m a graduate of The Natural Gourmet Institute and have worked extensively in plant-based recipe and brand development. My experience includes roles as a private chef, culinary educator, Culinary Director for the Atlanta-based health food chain Arden’s Garden, and Development Chef alongside celebrity chef Chloe Coscarelli for By Chloe and Chloe in New York City. My work has been featured in Eating Well, Food Network Magazine, VegNews, Vegan Lifestyle Magazine, Chowhound, Vegetarian Times, and Paste Magazine. In 2020, I showcased my vegan baking skills on Food Network’s Girl Scout Cookie Championship, where I created desserts inspired by iconic Girl Scout cookies. I believe food should be a joyful and beneficial experience. From nourishing meals to indulgent treats, I'm passionate about creating food that makes people feel good.