Meet Your Local Chef: Lenore!

At the heart of the Co-op’s kitchen is someone who brings both creativity and community to every dish she prepares: Lenore, our Prepared Foods Team Manager. For nearly 12 years, Lenore has been an essential part of the Co-op family, leading the team that keeps our hot bar, deli, and production kitchen running smoothly — and deliciously.

Finding Creativity Through Cooking

Lenore’s path to becoming a chef wasn’t exactly traditional. In fact, she originally earned her degree in Painting with a minor in Art History. But somewhere along the way, she realized the “artist’s life” wasn’t quite the right fit. “Cooking gave me the creative fulfillment and the connection to my community and to humans in general that I always wanted,” she says.

Her first job was at an ice cream shop decorating cakes, and from there, Lenore always found herself drawn to kitchens. It was in one of those early roles, managing a kitchen while in school, that she discovered her passion for recipe development. Feeding people quickly became one of her favorite love languages — a way to show care, creativity, and connection all at once.

The Heart of the Co-op Kitchen

When you ask Lenore what she loves most about working at the Co-op, her answer is simple: the people. “The crazy, beautiful, wonderful human beings I work with every day and the Co-op’s values. They aren’t just lip service,” she says. “We work hard to make this a safe place for people to shop and work.”

One of her favorite dishes to make for the Co-op is Saag Paneer, a rich, spiced spinach dish that’s as comforting as it is flavorful. “Making it is a slow, meditative process, then getting to eat it brings me joy,” she shares.

For Lenore, the kitchen isn’t just where meals are made — it’s where community happens. Whether it’s working with local farmers, partnering with regional vendors, or watching people line up for the hot bar, she finds joy in knowing that her food connects people. “Cooking is an act of love,” she says, “and I hope people feel the love when eating my food.”

Outside the Kitchen

When she’s not creating meals for the Bozeman community, you’ll likely find Lenore adventuring outdoors, hiking in the Tetons with her sister, or traveling the world in search of great food. Her favorite meal of all time? A tie between her mom’s spaghetti and meatballs and the unforgettable tasting menu at L’Atelier, a restaurant from one of her chef heroes, Joël Robuchon.

A Grateful Heart

Lenore’s deep connection to the Co-op and Bozeman is clear: “I just feel so grateful to work for a company that has roots in our community and that creates space for all humans to be treated with respect and equality.”

The next time you’re filling your plate at the hot bar or grabbing something from the deli, take a moment to appreciate the people behind the food. If you’re lucky, you might just get to try Lenore’s Saag Paneer—cooked with love, from our kitchen to your table.