Meet Kristin Stinavage

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kristin Stinavage. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kristin, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

My confidence and self-esteem have been shaped by an insatiable curiosity and a willingness to embrace challenges head-on. For me, curiosity has always been the driving force behind my growth—it’s what pushes me to explore, experiment, and continuously learn. I view every new situation, especially the difficult ones, as an opportunity to expand my understanding.

In culinary school, I encountered countless moments where pressure and failure were unavoidable. Instead of shying away from those moments, I leaned into them, using my curiosity to reflect on what went wrong and how I could approach things differently next time. I remember one specific instance during a Cuisines of the Mediterranean class at the Culinary Institute of America. My classmate David Zito and I were preparing a dish at the Shrimp and Chelow station without a curry recipe in hand, and we decided to improvise. Chef Anita Eisenhauer, with clarity and wisdom, reminded us of the profound consequences of altering even a single element of a recipe. Her guidance wasn’t just about that particular dish—it was about understanding that even small deviations could have big impacts.

This moment solidified for me the importance of curiosity and attention to detail. It taught me that failure is not a dead end but rather a moment to pause, reflect, and learn. Every challenge I face, I see as fuel for growth, a chance to dig deeper, research more, and turn failure into insight. This process of continual learning, driven by curiosity, has allowed me to build not only my skill set but also my confidence in my ability to adapt and thrive in new situations. It’s this mindset that continues to drive my growth today, turning every setback into an opportunity for expansion.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story! I’m Kristin Stinavage, and I’ve spent my career at the intersection of culinary arts, project management, and community building. My journey has taken me from kitchens to the world of event planning, where I’ve been able to blend my love for food with my passion for creating meaningful experiences. Currently, I’m the founder of Nurtured Feast, a personal chef and postpartum doula service that provides nurturing support through wholesome food and care during a family’s most transformative moments.

What excites me most about this work is the connection between food and healing. I’ve always believed that food is more than nourishment—it’s a way to bring people together, to comfort, and to empower. Whether I’m preparing meals for new families or organizing community events, I’m focused on creating experiences that enrich and nourish both the body and the soul. It’s incredibly special to be invited into such intimate and important moments in people’s lives, and I take that responsibility to heart.

One of the most exciting developments is that we’re currently expanding Nurtured Feast into new regions, with plans to launch additional postpartum and family support services. We’ve seen growing interest, particularly from families seeking holistic, plant-based nutrition and care during the postpartum period. I’m thrilled to bring this vision to life and offer services that truly nourish from the inside out.

In addition to Nurtured Feast, I’m deeply involved in culinary event planning, drawing on my experience from working with organizations like The Watershed Center and managing large-scale retreats and events. These experiences have taught me the power of community and sustainability, which are core values I bring into every project.

At the end of the day, my work is about nurturing connection—whether through food, family care, or events. I’m excited about what’s ahead and grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Please take a look at my ever-evolving blog and Instagram for updates on events, writings, and more!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities and skills in my journey have been listening, curiosity, and the knowledge of people and food that came with experience and patience.

First, listening is an easily forgotten skill that has profoundly shaped my journey. In both life and work, true listening goes beyond hearing words—it’s about understanding the deeper meaning behind them. In the kitchen, listening to feedback, the rhythms of a team, and even the ingredients themselves allowed me to adapt and grow. I advise those early in their journey to slow down and truly listen. Whether you’re learning from a mentor or observing how ingredients come together, the act of listening opens doors to insights you might otherwise miss.

Second is curiosity, a quality that has fueled my growth. I’ve always believed there are never true, final answers—just more questions waiting to be explored. In my career, curiosity has driven me to ask why and how constantly. Why does a dish fail? How can I make this process more efficient? Cultivate curiosity as a lifelong habit because every question leads to discoveries. My advice here is to embrace not knowing. Let curiosity guide you, and don’t be afraid to explore uncharted territory. The answers might surprise you, but more importantly, they’ll lead to even more questions, fueling ongoing learning.

Finally, the knowledge of people and food came with experience and patience. Understanding both the craft of cooking and the people you work with takes time. I’ve found that as much as cooking is about technique, it’s also about people—their stories, preferences, and connections to food. Patience is key here. Allow yourself time to learn through experience and be open to the lessons that come with it. For those starting, my advice is to take every opportunity to work with others and observe. Be patient with yourself and the process because accurate understanding takes time to develop.

In short, listening, curiosity, and the patience to learn from people and food have been central to my journey. These skills and qualities can also shape your path, helping you grow in your craft and how you navigate life.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client would be someone who is actively engaged in their postpartum recovery and nourishment journey, prioritizing fresh, nutritious, and balanced meals. Ideally, they work closely with a dietitian or nutritionist, allowing me to collaborate with their healthcare provider to better understand and cater to any specific dietary needs or restrictions, ensuring that all meals are in line with their health goals.

They value feedback, helping me refine meals to meet their preferences and support recovery. This individual would appreciate not only the quality of the meals but also the emotional and physical support that I offer, including postpartum care, infant care, and maintaining a nurturing home environment​​. They are open to trying interesting and culturally diverse dishes, provided they are nutrient-dense, and would be someone who enjoys working with a chef to create a bespoke meal plan, tailored to their specific recovery needs and family preferences​.

This client appreciates the holistic approach I provide, understanding that their postpartum well-being extends beyond food and into the realms of emotional and physical support​.

They value the flexibility and customization that comes with having a personal chef, and they see this collaboration as a way to both nourish their body and enjoy a diverse, healthy diet that supports their postpartum recovery​.

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