If you enjoyed the delicious treats at the Extreme Green Gala, you have Lauren Von Der Pool and her gourmet catering business to thank.

Von Der Pool Gourmet provided much of the great food at the Gala and even brought along servers and support. The catering company was founded by 25 year-old renowned chef of Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Lauren Von Der Pool. They specialize in exotic vegan and raw food cuisine and provide traditional catering services, in addition to health consulting and workshops on healthy eating for children.

In addition to running Von Der Pool Gourmet, Lauren also operates a green non-profit that focuses on raising consciousness of HIV, obesity prevention and holistic healing, specifically among youth. The non-profit is unique in its methods because it teaches young people how to grow their own food, how to cook the food and how that food affects their overall health.

Healthy living for kids is particularly important to Lauren who was raised in an environment where violence, drugs and alcohol abuse was more prevalent than a balanced diet. She says she escaped that difficult world by focusing on a mission bigger than herself.

Lauren will also be assisting CarbonfreeDC with some of our upcoming workshops. You can learn more about Lauren and Von Der Pool Gourmet by visiting her website.