Laura Pensiero, RD
Columnist: "Laura's Corner Table"
LAURA is the founder, owner and creative force behind Gigi Hudson Valley (Gigi Trattoria and Gigi Catering). She strongly believes that local food in season is the basis for healthy flavorful eating. This reflects the Gigi Hudson Valley style of cooking, marrying what is fresh and in season with the simple, yet bold, and warm flavors of the Mediterranean. When the doors opened in 2001, Gigi Trattoria was one of the first modern-day restaurants in Hudson Valley, NY to source the bulk of its ingredients directly from local farmers, ranchers and food artisans.
Laura was also the founding chef and nutritionist of Just Salad, a chain of healthy "quick service" salad restaurants with over 80 locations across the U.S. and licensed outlets in Hong Kong and the UAE. She played an instrumental role in developing the menu, recipes, and providing oversight of quality and nutrition from 2006 to 2016. Laura sold her partnership shares in the company in 2024.
Laura is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, a registered dietitian, author of Hudson Valley Mediterranean: The Gigi Good Food Cookbook (HarperCollins, 2009) and co-author of The Strang Cancer Prevention Center Cookbook (McGraw-Hill, 2004; Dutton 1998). She has contributed to several national magazines and was recognized in the Fifth Anniversary Issue of O, The Oprah Magazine by being named among the “Five Most Giving and Gifted Food Professionals” for her work as a nutritionist and culinary educator.
When not at Gigi or working on writing and public health projects, Laura cherishes time spent with her husband, Cornelius, and their three German Shepherds. She loves traveling and is always on the lookout for the next great meal, wherever it may take her.
Statement: As a chef, registered dietitian and author, my approach to education has always been conversational as well as demonstrative, 'Put it on the plate!' My journey of showing people how to eat better (and enjoy it) has helped me to understand that spotlighting what drives others to produce great products…sharing their insights and talents…is a gift to self. I’ve met incredible women and relish the two-way street of mentoring. Sanctuary embodies the essence of this sharing; so proud to be a contributor and look forward to sharing 'food for thought' in my column Laura's Corner Table.
Laura was also the founding chef and nutritionist of Just Salad, a chain of healthy "quick service" salad restaurants with over 80 locations across the U.S. and licensed outlets in Hong Kong and the UAE. She played an instrumental role in developing the menu, recipes, and providing oversight of quality and nutrition from 2006 to 2016. Laura sold her partnership shares in the company in 2024.
Laura is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, a registered dietitian, author of Hudson Valley Mediterranean: The Gigi Good Food Cookbook (HarperCollins, 2009) and co-author of The Strang Cancer Prevention Center Cookbook (McGraw-Hill, 2004; Dutton 1998). She has contributed to several national magazines and was recognized in the Fifth Anniversary Issue of O, The Oprah Magazine by being named among the “Five Most Giving and Gifted Food Professionals” for her work as a nutritionist and culinary educator.
When not at Gigi or working on writing and public health projects, Laura cherishes time spent with her husband, Cornelius, and their three German Shepherds. She loves traveling and is always on the lookout for the next great meal, wherever it may take her.
Statement: As a chef, registered dietitian and author, my approach to education has always been conversational as well as demonstrative, 'Put it on the plate!' My journey of showing people how to eat better (and enjoy it) has helped me to understand that spotlighting what drives others to produce great products…sharing their insights and talents…is a gift to self. I’ve met incredible women and relish the two-way street of mentoring. Sanctuary embodies the essence of this sharing; so proud to be a contributor and look forward to sharing 'food for thought' in my column Laura's Corner Table.
