David Bridges has managed the Beverage Department of the Lebanon Co-op Food Store since its opening in 1997. His professional association with fine wines has been developed in the luxury hotel business. Dave’s depth of knowledge and easy-going manner has won him a faithful following among Co-op customers.

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Chris Catchick joined the Co-op's Seafood Department in May, 2001. Prior to that, he managed a local bookstore that was swallowed by a Really Big Fish. Chris also is a waiter at one of the Upper Valley's fine restaurants.

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Mary Choate, M.S., R.D., is a registered dietitian and the Co-op’s Food and Nutrition Educator. Mary has a special interest in helping Co-op customers thoughtfully assess topics in health and nutrition.

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Elizabeth Ferry, Member and Community Outreach Coordinator at the Co-op, loves local food. Her travels in France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Quebec have given her the chance to enjoy French food as adapted by various francophone cultures and regions.

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April Frost is the author of the best-seller, Training with Awareness for You and Your Dog. She is a nationally renown animal behaviorist and provides holistic counseling for both behavior and wellness issues to clients across the country. Formerly a resident of the Upper Valley, April returns to the area for this Co-op class.back to class list

Paula Gray, Food Programs Coordinator at the Co-op, grew up in a Sicilian family. She enjoys introducing new foods and flavors to Co-op customers. Often seen handing out food samples in the store, she enjoys talking about and sharing good things to eat.

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Jamie King is in charge of cold foods at the Co-op Kitchen in Wilder, Vermont. Prior to working at the Co-op, Jamie owned and managed Deli Haven at the Powerhouse Mall in West Lebanon, New Hampshire.

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Juliana Knoettner has worked in the food industry for more than 10 years. A proficient cook, she especially enjoys cooking with cheese.

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Fenglan Li and Qing-Lin Zhu grew up in China. They have lived in the Upper Valley for a year and a half and are eager to share their knowledge of Chinese food with their new neighbors.

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Phil Myers is a graduate of the New Hampshire Culinary Institute with 15 years of experience as a chef, including stints at the Meridien and Hilton Hotels in Los Angeles and Boston. Formerly the Director of the Co-op’s Prepared Foods Department, Phil is currently the Co-op’s Merchandising Director.

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Ann MacDonald has worked in the food industry for over 25 years. She manages the Co-op’s Cheese Shops and, in her own words, has had a life-long love affair with cheese.

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Fran Peront has worked as a registered nurse at DHMC for 23 years. Three years ago she was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, a form of glucose intolerance. She is a founding member of the Upper Valley Celiac Support Group, which meets monthly at the Co-op.

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Judi Simon-Bouton serves weekly samples of international food to Co-op customers through "The Worldly Eater" program. An elementary school teacher, Judi has lived in the Upper Valley for 25 years. She describes herself as a "cooking workshop junkie who loves to cook for R and R."

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Maureen Williams, N.D., attended Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. She is licensed in Vermont as a naturopathic doctor, and has practiced in the Upper Valley since 1996. She is a frequent presenter at the Co-op.

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