About the author

Nick Iula

Nick Iula is a retired, award-winning chef with more than 45 years in the food and beverage industry. Born in Boston’s historic North End to parents who immigrated from a small mountain town in southern Italy, he grew up in a family where food was central to daily life. His earliest cooking lessons came from his mother, and in high school, he worked in fine restaurants and hospitals while also conducting sophisticated science projects.<br><br>Initially planning to become a doctor, Nick attended Williams College as a premed student before his love for cooking led him to Johnson &amp; Wales University’s culinary school in Providence, Rhode Island. His career took him across the country, working in prestigious restaurants, hotels, and country clubs before spending more than three decades with Compass Group North America. As director of dining services, he oversaw dining operations at Harvard Law School, Northeastern University, University of Florida, University of Houston, and Shippensburg University.<br><br>While at Shippensburg, Nick joined Healthy Eating Adventure and adopted a whole food, plant-based diet, which helped him reverse fatty liver disease, hypertension, prediabetes, gout, and obesity. He incorporated whole food, plant-based menu options into the university’s dining program, leading to Shippensburg University being recognized by PETA as a top 10 university for plant-based menus.<br><br>Now, as coauthor of Healthy Eating Adventure, Nick helps coordinate Adventures and teaches creative plant-based cooking to participants and organizations. His professional passion for healthy food extends to environmental sustainability and social advocacy, and he believes that food should not only look and taste good but also support well-being.<br><br>Nick has lived in many places, including Rhode Island, Ohio, Texas, Minnesota, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Florida, and New York. He currently resides in rural south-central Pennsylvania with his wife, Roberta, an artist. When he’s not in the kitchen, he enjoys exploring environmental sustainability and sharing his love of food with others.<br><br>Learn more at healthyeatingadventure.org.<br>