Story & Lesson Highlights with Summer Storm

We recently had the chance to connect with Summer Storm and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Summer, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Lately, I’ve been feeling really called to create something of my own and turn it into a business. For years, I’ve had so many ideas, but the fear of failing or taking the leap has always held me back. Right now, I’m especially excited about the idea of developing a product I’m passionate about, and who knows, maybe it’ll be the first of many. Since I’ve had a list of ideas running through my mind for years, it feels right to finally start leaning into one. It’s definitely still a scary feeling, but it’s something I think about every day now, so I’m taking it as a sign to see where that energy takes me!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Fun fact: I’ve been cooking since I was 3, and by the age of 6, I was making full meals on my own. I went to culinary school at 17 and then dove straight into the restaurant scene. Over the next eight years, I worked my way up from prep cook to chef, learning a ton along the way. But somewhere along the line, I realized the excitement that fueled everyone around me just wasn’t there for me anymore. I often felt bored, and honestly, watching people get hyped about whole pigs or live soft-shell crabs meant to be cooked felt unsettling rather than inspiring. That’s when I knew something inside me was shifting.

So, in 2016, I went vegan, and it completely reignited my passion for cooking. It felt amazing to create dishes that were good for the animals, my body, and the planet, all while challenging myself to get more creative than ever. In 2020, I decided to leave the restaurant industry entirely to focus on my own projects and reignite that passion. That’s when I launched my food blog, garden grub, which now features over 170 of my original vegan recipes. One thing that makes my recipes special is that I test them repeatedly (seriously over and over and over again!) to make sure they’re absolutely perfect. I never want anyone to waste their time, money, or effort on a recipe that doesn’t work, because I’ve been there and know how disappointing that can be.

Beyond my blog, I create content on social media, focusing mainly on vegan cooking videos, though I also sprinkle in glimpses of my life. Between my blog and social media, I’ve learned everything from photography to videography to editing, and it’s all worth it when a stranger online tells me I inspired them, made them laugh, they tried and loved one of my recipes, or even that I convinced them to go vegan! At the end of the day, sharing my creativity and passions in the hopes of helping others is what keeps me going.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I think my earliest memory of feeling truly powerful was when I was 17 and decided to move out of state for college. I’d been accepted into my dream school, but I didn’t have a car or much money for things like food, and I was stepping completely into the unknown. Still, I was determined to make something of myself. I got there, applied for a job right away, and got it, which made life a whole lot easier moving forward. That sense of taking a scary leap of faith and being rewarded was incredible. It taught me that I’m capable of so much when I trust myself and take action, even when the odds feel stacked against me. That’s when I first felt the real power of taking control of my own life.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have definitely been plenty of times when I’ve felt like giving up, and honestly, that thought still crosses my mind sometimes. I don’t think that feeling ever fully goes away when you’re chasing something big. But I’ve never actually sat down and seriously considered quitting. I’ve worked far too long, for far too many years, to just walk away from what I’ve built. I truly believe the dreams we have are placed within us for a reason, and even if things are taking longer than I hoped, I trust that timing. Giving up would mean never finding out what all this hard work was leading to, and that’s something I could never live with.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
One important truth I hold, which the majority of people might disagree with, is veganism. I believe animals are here with us, not for us, and that we don’t need to cause fear, pain, and suffering to other living beings just for our taste buds or perceived health benefits. Humans can absolutely thrive on a plant-based diet; in fact, I’ve been vegan for nearly a decade, and it has completely changed the way I feel, both physically and mentally. Beyond personal health, it’s also about compassion and the kind of world we want to live in. I know this perspective challenges most people, but it’s something I feel strongly about, and I try to show through my blog and social media that living a cruelty-free life doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, enjoyment, or satisfaction- it’s just a better way to live.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in two very different ways. One is when I’m working on a recipe, especially early morning baking when the city is still asleep- there’s something so therapeutic about measuring, mixing, and creating something delicious from scratch, cup of coffee in hand. The other is when I’m in nature, wandering quietly through the woods on a hike, surrounded by trees, feeling nothing but the fresh air and hearing birds chirp. Both experiences allow me to slow down, focus fully, and really connect with myself and the moment. They’re my way of grounding, recharging, and finding calm in a busy world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gardengrubblog.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefsummerstorm/