Cooking Austin

What is Cooking Austin?

The goal of our Cooking Austin department is to inspire our guests to get back in the kitchen! You can find our cooking coaches in the Bulk Department offering tips and recipes for simple ingredients. Our approach is to be a friend and resource for our guests to come engage with. There was a lot of thought behind not having the cooking coach actually cooking but using their attention for individual connections with our guests.

Meet our Cooking Coaches

Vanessa Vaughan - Vanessa often says the job as “Cooking Coach” at our Whole Foods Austin store, was created just for her. Being the first “coach” to be hired in the country, she continues to find exciting and creative ways to  inspire others to get cooking again! Her favorite way to do this is by simplifying it all and showing guests how delicious a simple cup of quinoa can taste!  “A good chef in my book is one that can make simple whole food look & taste beautiful, the fewer ingredients the better!” she says as describing her favorite cooking books. She looks at the bulk food  department like her own house,  as you will find mason jars full of colorful legumes, grains, nuts and spices decorating her own kitchen walls.

Michael Frei – Michael is one of the cooking coaches and can answer questions on basics and the finer points of all things cooking- ingredients, methods, techniques, and all things foodie.  He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, worked in elite restaurants in Manhattan and has been a professional chef for almost 15 years.  His favorite cooking game is “Stump the Chef.”

What can you get in our bulk?

• Beans & Grains
• Nuts
• Dried Fruits
• Nut Butters
• Sweeteners & Oils
• Spices
• Trial Mixes and Granola
• Candy and Chocolate

For more information about Cooking with Basics click here.

Recent Blog Post: Vanessa recently was a guest blogger on the Engine 2 Blog. Check out what she said.

Frequently Asked Bulk Questions

– What’s an heirloom bean mean? What can I eat if I can’t have gluten anymore? Can I bring my own containers? Our cooking coaches have the answers to all these questions and much more. If you have questions about the department, how to cook a certain item or just general questions about food our knowledgeable coaches will be happy to get you the answers you’re looking for. You can stop by the new Cooking Austin Kiosk between 11:00am – 7:00pm daily, place a question on the Q & A board at the kiosk or by emailing our team at  Vanessa.Vaughan at WholeFoods.com or  Michael.Frei at WholeFoods.com.