CBN Collaborators
The Culinary Breeding Network is built through relationships. Farmers, plant breeders, seed companies, chefs, bakers, researchers, and eaters across the country contribute their knowledge, curiosity, and creativity to this work.
While CBN is founded and directed by Lane, its work is shaped many hands and perspectives. The individuals below are a few of the key collaborators who help extend CBN’s programs, events, and storytelling across regions and communities.
Jay Bost
CBN Southeast & Hawai‘i Representative
Jay helps connect farmers, breeders, chefs, and food communities to CBN programs in the Southeast and in Hawai‘i. He is co-owner of Laughing Springs Farm in Boone, North Carolina, where he grows vegetables, legumes, grains, flowers and seeds. Jay is a rabid passionate networker with a serious case of agrobiodiversity fever. He is also a plant breeder focused on regionally adapted crops - his favorite being maize.
Myrtha Zierock
CBN Italian Ambassador
Myrtha connects CBN with growers, seed producers, and culinary traditions in Italy. She is based in Mezzolombardo where she grows vegetables on her family farm, Azienda Agricola Foradori. Myrtha has been imperative to the success of the international exchange around radicchio, helping bridge the work of Italian farmers and seed companies with emerging radicchio production in North America. Myrtha also organizes Giàz, a winter vegetable celebration in northern Italy which creates connections and community between italian growers, breeders and chefs.
Timothy Wastell
CBN Consulting Chef
Chef Timothy has worked with CBN since its inception, to translate plant breeding into the kitchen. As chef at Old Pal in Portland, Oregon, he collaborates with farmers and breeders to explore how new crop varieties perform in professional kitchens. Through tastings, menu collaborations, and culinary experimentation, Tim helps highlight the flavor potential of new and emerging crops.
Shannon Sims
CBN Culinary & Community Collaborator
Shannon Sims is a Portland-based food artist and holistic health educator whose work celebrates seasonal produce and vibrant plant-centered cuisine. Through her project Food Art Love, she creates visually striking meals and gatherings that bring people together around vegetables, flavor, and creativity. Shannon collaborates with CBN on culinary experiences that help translate crop diversity into memorable food moments.