MY BEGINNINGS

My story starts in Long Beach, California – I grew up there, watching my family run a business, and knowing that someday, I wanted to run a business of my own – on my terms. Though my calling to create Monty’s would come later, my passion for plant-based food and mindful eating came early on. I became very in tune with how food made me feel and function, and wanted to make wellness in mind, body, and spirit my ultimate pursuit.

WELCOME TO NEW YORK

I moved to NYC to create something bigger than myself. I had many curiosities and I followed them all – music, art, psychology, and fashion. The desire to find “my thing” was always weighing on my mind. I went to business school and worked in the fashion industry, but for fun, I filled my free time with fermentation courses, fitness and trying every dairy-free cheese in New York.

WELLNESS JOURNEY

I started living a holistic lifestyle, really focusing on everything that I consumed and used. Consistently eating plant-based and nutrient-dense foods brought a lot of clarity and healing. I discovered that I didn’t have to limit my passion – I could actually pursue this as my life’s work. I decided it was what I wanted to focus on every day. Since then, I’ve evolved into a certified health coach and health supportive chef through Natural Gourmet Institute. I’ve worked in restaurants and on nut farms and discovered the profound joy of feeding people nutritious, from-the-earth food.

MONTY'S WAS BORN

For years, I was testing out my own cashew cheese recipes on my friends and family (of all dietary preferences) at dinner parties and quickly realized that this was “my thing.” All I’ve ever wanted is to connect people. Food lovers. Fitness junkies. Health foodies. Cheese lovers. Family that has never even thought about trying non-dairy cheese. The best feeling in the world is sharing what I love about plant-based foods with the ones I love, and seeing them get it.