Joann Defelici
Author of 'A Starting Point for Urban Homesteading'
Chef, Caterer, Farmer, Herbalist, Certified Food Safety Manager,
Ebay Online Reseller
Joann Defelici lives her life wrapped up in food. Coming from a big Italian family she learned early to always have great food at hand, especially for every celebration - and there were many! Whether in her early career working for several celebrity chefs to starting her own catering business and later becoming a Master Gardener and then a farmer in Oregon, food has always had a prominent place in her life. While running several businesses over the past 30 years, Joann was also able to find the time to build a substantial catering business in Las Vegas with contracted corporate and institutional clients among her top customers.
Joann has obtained the Certified Food Safety Manager certificate from the National Restaurant Association, has created food safety presentations for UNR and several Las Vegas restaurants, and makes everyone wear gloves when working in her kitchen!
Moving to Oregon, one of her first pursuits was the local Slow Food organization. Through her involvement with the Portland chapter she learned of a rare and endangered local potato, which she eventually chose as her exclusive crop on her Oregon City farm. Joann eventually became the president of the Portland Chapter of Slow Food USA, and subsequently she took the post of Oregon governor of Slow Food USA, supporting and managing 3 chapters in Oregon. During her time as a farmer, Joann taught herself soap making, cheese making, fermenting, and herbal medicine all from the bounty on her farm, and then produced on-farm classes teaching others these and other skills including presentations to local school children.
Joann continues to share her passion for food and empowering others through her just published first book 'A Starting Point for Urban Homesteading'. This current project is written at a beginner level encouraging people to do simple things for themselves while building self-confidence and self-sufficiency. It includes many basic recipes for simple foods as well as do it yourself personal care products.
Joann has a degree in Laboratory Technology, graduated from culinary classes in Las Vegas, Nevada and has achieved certificates in the UNR small business support program.
Joann lives in Sherwood, OR where she enjoys her pug and cooking for family while running an active Ebay reseller business from her home office, specializing in vintage kitchen items.