Ger-Nis INTERNATIONAL, LLC

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Essence:

Braggin’ Rights:

Began exploring the world and its culinary offerings in Central America at age 12.
Experience as a young girl in Nicaragua sparks a kindred connection to the land and its people; a culture which embodies passion, love and kindness.
Cooked for broke university students at “Nissa’s Dorm Room” for four years.
Studied Sustainable Economic & Environmental Development at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Moved to Oregon in 1996 and created lush gardens. “From Seed to Mouth” is planted.
Awarded Master Organic Gardening Certificate after studying Urban Farming at the University of Oregon.
Begins teaching recreational cooking classes to kids and adults for the city of Santa Monica.

In 2000, stumbles upon a gigantic basil field in California. It is love at first sight. Without knowing who it belongs to, she asks for a job. Turns out to be the largest fresh herb company in North America, Herb Thyme Farms.
She got the job.
The next three years are spent laying the foundation for future herb world take over, developing the plate spinning, acrobatic and juggling skills needed to do so.
An extensive recipe collection begins to develop while teaching private cooking classes.
2003 finds Nissa in San Francisco managing the sales and inventories of organic herbs at Jacobs Farm Del Cabo.
A cross-country move to New York, NY begins the Israeli experience, a connection to the land, the food, the culture and its people.
Proudly importing both Palestinian and Israeli fresh herbs with cooperation from both sides.
2005, Ger-Nis International is born. As its managing member, Nissa’s herb world take over is well under way.
Instructor and lecturer for Whole Foods, Manhattan Children’s Museum and CENYC.
Ger-Nis introduces organic and Fair Trade fruits to its fresh herb world acting as the farmers’ passionate advocate.
Creator of The Herb Blurb online magazine.
A grand passion for food, desire to share it with others and drive, leads to the creation of the Ger-Nis Culinary and Herb Center. Opening in April, 2010.

Heart Palpitations:

#1 spice of all time? Cumin. Hands down.
Fresh off the farm, English shelling peas.
Homemade salsa of any kind.
Massive obsession with salts from all over the world.
Visceral reaction to fresh Meyer lemons
Favorite thing to make with herbs is lemon thyme Asiago pesto over grilled fish.

Just For Kicks & Dreamy Things:

Sabbaticals to grand places like Turkey, Mauritius, Israel, Greece and France.
The ocean, surfing and sand in her toes.
Israeli Summer Vacation ’09: Connecting with growers, making new connections and playing in the sea.
Throwing wild, colorful dinner parties for loved ones.
Puppy breath and puppy paws.
Kick boxing scrappy boys.