Senator Claire McCaskill

An outstanding public servant for the people of the great state of Missouri as State Auditor and then as U.S. Senator. She is the author of Plenty Ladylike and a University of Missouri graduate.

and Lisa McCaskill Finn

Lisa McCaskill Finn assists struggling readers at Southern Boone County Elementary School. She recently raised enough donations for an Ashland caterer to prepare lunches for 600 first responders at University Hospital administering Covid-19 tests.

Catherine “Cat” Neville

Emmy award-winning journalist Catherine “Cat” Neville's nearly two decades in food journalism inform her acclaimed regional and national public television program tasteMAKERS.

In addition to her  trek through the current state of food on tasteMAKERS, Cat has launched two culinary magazines and is publisher of Feast, a regional publication that covers the state of Missouri, eastern Kansas and southern Illinois.

Eduardo Crespi

Eduardo Crespi directs Centro Latino in Columbia, Missouri.

Centro Latino is a community resource center dedicated to improving the health, education, and socio-economic well-being of Latino families.

Danita Allen Wood

As editor and owner of Missouri Life magazine, with her husband Greg, Danita has always been an innovator in publishing and a leading advocate for the best of Missouri for residents as well as visitors to our great state.

Julie & Mike Middleton

Both Julie and Mike Middleton are community activists. Julie Middleton is a retired Director of Organizational Development at University of Missouri Extension. She is also former First Lady of the University of Missouri System and Lincoln University. She spends most of her time now volunteering within the Columbia community.

Mike Middleton is a civil rights attorney and social activist who had a 15 year career with the federal government before returning to his alma mater, the University of Missouri. Once he returned,  he served as Professor of Law and long- term Deputy Chancellor. He later served as Interim President of the University of Missouri System and of Lincoln University. He is now Professor Emeritus of Law and spends his time volunteering and playing golf.

Dr. Lynn Rossy

An outstanding voice for healthy eating and author of the book, The Mindfulness-Based Eating Solution, Lynn is a health psychologist who, among other efforts, developed the Eat for Life course. She is president of the Center for Mindful Eating.

Sabra Tull Meyer

Sabra Tull Meyer is a lifelong Missourian and a national treasure.  A chronicle of her art and sculptures is permanently stored in the visual archives of the National Museum for Women in the Arts in Washington DC.  Her sculptures can be found in the Missouri State Capitol, at the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial site next to the Capitol building, and around Columbia and Missouri in buildings and parks. In October 2020, Sabra will be inducted in the Boone County History and Culture Museum’s Hall of Fame.

Chef Daniel Pliska

As a professional Chef, mid-summer to me brings with it the season of tomatoes. A few years ago, Chef Pliska was asked to be a guest chef for the University of Missouri’s Bradford Farm Annual tomato festival. He is the former Executive Chef of the University Club and University Catering, For more on the event and his recipes, visit.

Mary Phillips

When not working at the public affairs firm she co-founded with Brian Treece, Mary enjoys travelling, entertaining at home and cooking with friends.  Growing up overseas instilled in Mary a love of international cultures, history and cuisines.  She has worked and lived in Germany, the Philippines, Japan, Israel, England and is proud to call Columbia home.  Mary is an avid supporter of the University, multiple local charities, Columbia’s international community and enjoys mentoring young professionals and community leaders.

Chef Antwon Brinson

By early 2017, Chef Antwon Brinson’s culinary career had led him to high-end restaurants in Hawaii and California and the exclusive Greenbrier resort in West Virginia. He now operates Culinary Boot Camp, free of charge to help people make a decent living in the kitchen. This Culinary Boot Camp helps locals sharpen their culinary talents and skills, while supporting economic development and creating a trained workforce for restaurants in the area. He is a social impact entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Culinary Concepts AB LLC.

Sunitha Bosecker

Sunitha Bosecker is the owner of Sunitha Lea, LLC, where she helps small businesses and nonprofit organizations elevate their marketing efforts. Outside of work, Sunitha serves as the outreach committee chair for the Unbound Book Festival, a literacy and book festival in Columbia, Missouri. She has volunteered at local nonprofits such as the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, Coyote Hill, Safe Passage, Room at the Inn, and Great Circle's Diamond Night. Sunitha strives to expand her worldviews by serving different populations and encouraging people to be more congruent. When Sunitha partakes in self-care, she's traveling, reading, watching documentaries, or searching for the best nachos.

UM/MU President/Chancellor Mun Choi &
Suzanne Choi

With great distinction, Dr. Choi leads the UM System as President and MU’s Research One University as Interim Chancellor. MU First Lady, Suzanne Choi leads with great grace.

Brook Harlan

Brook Harlan is a culinary arts instructor at the Columbia Area Career Center, and Food Editor for Inside Columbia Magazine. Brook is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Brook and his wife Lyria live in Columbia, MO with their two children.

Karen Touzeau

Karen Touzeau is a cook, jazz enthusiast and a retired Mizzou human resource officer, where she worked for 27 years. Now she has plenty of time for her other passions, including: entertaining, travel, reading and various acts of community service.

Donna Battle Pierce

Journalist and author of the Skillet Diaries, Donna grew up in Columbia, Missouri, and among other work, has been the assistant food editor and test kitchen director at the Chicago Tribune. She champions African American contributions to American cuisine.

Dr. Anand Chockalingam & Smrita Dorairajan

Dr. Anand Chockalingam and Smrita Dorairajan are both MU MD’s serve the community not only in their specialty areas, but in their promotion of the importance of self-care and emotional and mental well-being.

Ken Logsdon

Ken Logsdon owned Post-a-Quote, a literary greeting card company. He now spends his time with a camera around his neck or reading material in his hands.

Nikki Krawitz

As a passionate traveler and lover of food (eating and preparing), Nikki Krawitz retired as Vice President of Finance and Administration for the University of Missouri System.  She also enjoys using her finance expertise through volunteer work in the local community and beyond.

Axie Hindman

Long-time resident Axie Hindman came to Columbia to attend Mizzou and except for a few years has been here ever since. Axie is a lifelong participant in outdoor activities — including hiking, biking, camping, canoeing with her family. Special family time is spent at a small cabin in northern Minnesota. She loves to read and participates in 3 book clubs.

She is a retired librarian: University of Missouri Library Systems Office, University of Missouri Ellis Library Reference Dept., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

She often accompanied her husband, Darwin, on his mayoral activities during his long tenure as mayor of Columbia. She is an inductee into the Boone County Hall of Fame with her husband, Darwin Hindman. She was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Columbia-Boone County League of Women Voters with Darwin.

Suzanne Dunaway

Suzanne Dunaway, is a major magazine writer and artist, is the author and illustrator of "Rome, At Home, The Spirit of La Cucina Romana in Your Own Kitchen" (Broadway Books) and "No Need To Knead, Handmade Italian Breads in 90 Minutes" (Hyperion). She taught cooking for 15 years privately and at cooking schools in Los Angeles, and now maintains a personal website and a blog. She divides her time between southern France and Italy.  She has been a close personal friend of Cathy Salter—one of the founders of The Common Ingredient food blog/website.

Dr. Helen Washburn

Dr. Washburn is a past President of Cottey College, a private women’s liberal arts college in Nevada, MO, and past President of the OSHER Life Long Learning Institute at MU. Helen and her husband, George, are Idaho natives but love their retirement home in Columbia!

Marjo Price

After growing up in Oregon, I made a decision that changed my life.  Eager to strike out on my own, I boarded a train bound for Missouri.  Arriving in Columbia, I began my college studies at Stephens College.  My plans were to graduate from Stanford University and stay in California permanently.  However, a job returned me to Columbia where I met a young banker and was married a year later.

As the wife of a “country banker,” I was expected to participate in local events where my husband was very active.  Being a founder and board member of the Columbia Independent School has been my greatest personal joy and contribution to the community.  I’ve also been a longtime supporter of the State Historical Society of Missouri, as well as the Columbia Art League and Columbia’s Center for Urban Agriculture—an effort spearheaded by my son Robbie Price.

Paul Pepper & James Mouser

Paul Pepper & James Mouser have been the face and voice of community television and radio in Mid-Missouri for almost four decades (29 years at KOMU-TV’s “Pepper & Friends” and 11 years at KBIA’s “Radio Friends with Paul Pepper”). They love people, animals and Hawaii
and donate produce from their garden to feed those in need.

Senator Jean Carnahan

A beloved First Lady of Missouri and U.S. Senator, and wife of Missouri’s wonderful Governor Mel Carnahan, sadly now deceased. Senator Carnahan enjoys her children and grandchildren, and writes the delightful culinary blog, “Good Food St. Louis,” which you can enjoy here.

Muriel Battle Browder

Muriel Browder is a native of Columbia, MO. After graduating from Stephens College, she became a marketing representative and systems engineer for IBM. She is most proud of her adult children!

Diana Moxon

Diana Moxon is the host/producer of KOPN’s weekly arts show, “Speaking of the Arts”, and of a new show/podcast called “One World, Same Boat”. She was the Executive Director of the Columbia Art League for 11 years, having arrived in Columbia in a Sebring convertible in 2005 as she was traveling across the country. She got married, and never left.

Rockie & Mike Alden

Rockie and her husband Mike moved to Columbia 22 years ago when he took the position of Athletic Director at the University of Missouri. They call Columbia home and love being involved in some of the many opportunities in our incredible community!

Vicky Riback Wilson

Vicky Riback Wilson has lived in Columbia all her life, with the exception of a few years each in Philadelphia, Uganda, and Indonesia.  While closer to home, she served in the MO House of Representatives and worked at MU in various capacities over nearly 20 years.

Susan Dunkin

Sue Dunkin’s lifelong interests in linguistics, reading, and children’s literature led to an 18-year span as an English and literature instructor. She has served as a docent and board member at the Museum of Art and Archeology. In 1990, she became the MU School of Medicine’s Director of Development and was Executive Director of the University of Missouri Medical School Foundation. These days, she serves on the Board of the Unbound Book Festival, is a tutor with Literacy Action Corps, and loves talking about books with friends while enjoying a cup of tea and a hot blueberry muffin.

Matthew Goodman

Matthew Goodman is a Brooklyn native with a connection to food, history, and our Columbia community. The author of four nonfiction books - The City Game, Eighty Days, The Sun and the Moon, and Jewish Food - Matthew was invited to Columbia in October 2013 to speak about his writing and the role of women in journalism. While in town, he resided with the Deatons at the MU Chancellor’s residence where Matthew was made to feel right at home with fellow Brooklynite Anne Deaton. For three days, he was warmly embraced by the community and has become a true friend.

When Matthew published his newest book, The City Game, Cathy Salter and friends invited him back to Columbia in early April 2020. Unfortunately that trip was postponed because of COVID-19 — read The City Game because he is eager to return!

Matthew has a compassionate spirit and is an extraordinary cook, supportive of The Common Ingredient’s mission. He also writes daily blogs describing life “from the bunker” in Brooklyn — America’s Covid-19 urban epicenter.

Brian Treece

Brian enjoys cooking especially with family and friends.  Several years ago, Brian and Mary formed a Supper Club with close friends to share new food and recipes.  The spirited evenings each month resemble similar dinner club nights Brian’s parents enjoyed each month with four other couples.  When he is not cooking, Brian enjoys putting together key ingredients of our community to make Columbia, Missouri a great place to live, learn, play, and work.

Devon Mihesuah

Devon Mihesuah is a member of the Choctaw Nation, a historian, and writer. She is the Cora Lee Beers Price Professor in the Humanities Program at the University of Kansas, and holds a Ph.D. in American History.

Her career has been devoted to the empowerment and well-being of indigenous peoples. She served as Editor of the American Indian Quarterly for nine years and her research, writing and speaking focuses on decolonization strategies. She is one of the few indigenous writers who successfully writes non-fiction and fiction.

Her book, Recovering Our Ancestors' Gardens: Indigenous Recipes and Guide to Diet and Fitness, is reviewed on The Common Ingredient here.