Anya Fernald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anya Fernald
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Fernald at Belcampo Farms, 2019
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| Born | |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Wesleyan University |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur and business consultant |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Renato Sardo
(m. 2004–2012) |
| Children | 2 |
Anya Fernald, born in 1975, is an American businesswoman, chef, and expert in sustainable farming. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She started several companies, including Live Culture Co., the Eat Real Festival Company, and Belcampo Meat Co.. Belcampo focuses on meat produced in a sustainable way. Anya has also written a cookbook and appeared as a judge on the Food Network shows Iron Chef America, Iron Chef Gauntlet, and The Next Iron Chef.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Anya Fernald was born on a dairy farm near Munich, Germany. Her parents were teaching and doing research there at the time. When she was three years old, her family moved back to the United States. They lived in Palo Alto, California, and later in Oregon.
After high school, Anya went to Wesleyan University. She studied political science. She then received a special scholarship called the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. This allowed her to travel and work as a cheesemaker in Europe and North Africa.
Anya's Career Journey
Working in Europe (1999–2005)
From 1999 to 2001, Anya worked in Sicily, Italy. She helped small cheese makers create business and marketing plans. This was part of a project funded by the European Union to help rural areas.
After that, she worked for Slow Food in Bra, Italy. Until 2005, she managed a program that helped small, traditional food producers around the world. She helped them with business planning and marketing in countries like Madagascar, Sweden, Ecuador, and Bosnia.
Returning to the United States (2006–Present)
Anya came back to California in 2006. She started a company that connected high-quality farmers with big buyers. This company was later bought by another business. In 2008, she worked with famous chef Alice Waters. They organized a big event called Slow Food Nation to promote high-quality organic food.
In 2009, Anya founded the Eat Real Festival Company. This company puts on a yearly, two-day food festival in Oakland, California. The festival focuses on food and drinks made locally, sustainably, and organically. This company was also acquired in 2015.
Also in 2009, Anya started Live Culture Co. This company offers business and marketing advice. In 2010, Live Culture Co. began working with Todd Robinson. They developed a plan to sell products from his ranch in Northern California. This led to the creation of Belcampo, which Anya and Todd founded in 2012.
Anya on Television
Anya Fernald started appearing as a judge on the Food Network's Iron Chef America shows in 2009. She continued to be a regular judge until 2015. She has also been a guest on CBS This Morning.
Awards and Recognition
Anya Fernald has received several honors for her work. In 2010, Food & Wine magazine named her one of the "40 Big Food Thinkers 40 and Under." INC Magazine also listed her as one of the top 100 female founders. The New York Times recognized her as one of America's "Nifty 50," highlighting up-and-coming talent.
Personal Life
Anya Fernald was married to Renato Sardo, who used to lead Slow Food International. They lived in Oakland and had a daughter. They separated in 2014.
