In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re excited to introduce you to some of the amazing women on our team. Under the leadership of our founder Caroll Lee and a rockstar team of female department heads, our team is a tight-knit community rooted in health and wellness. We strive to cultivate a motivating and open minded culture in both our office and kitchen with a mindful eye on our wellness routines and work-life balance.
How do we do this? Well it starts with getting to know each other. From our self-care routines to our favorite restaurants, click the + to reveal the full Q&A with each team member.
+ Caroll Lee, Founder & CEO
What do you do regularly for self-care and how do you find the time to fit it in?
Online workouts and meditation. I have to wake up earlier than I want to fit them both in, which is tough for me because I’m not naturally a morning person, but it really sets the tone of my day when I make it a priority. Sometimes sleep is more of a priority for me, though, so I don't beat myself up if I miss a day here and there.
It's not the most "fun" form of self-care I practice (because I do love massages, face masks, pedicures!) but because it affects my overall mood the most, it's the most important way I know to take care of myself.
What 3 things will we always find in your kitchen?
Kimchi - because I'm Korean so I just crave it always, plus I know how good it is for my gut with all those beneficial probiotics.
Baby Spinach - I find that most dishes I cook, whether it's scrambled eggs a smoothie in the morning, a salad at lunch, or a chicken soup for dinner, benefit from a generous handful of greens!
Lemons - to squeeze into my daily glass of room temp water that I drink as soon as I wake up in the morning.
What is your favorite quote?
“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” I'm working on letting go of my own self-limiting beliefs and fears to achieve what I really want.
What is your go-to meal to impress a loved one?
Jean George’s Seared Scallops and Cauliflower with Caper-Raisin sauce.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Picking a favorite restaurant is super tough because I love trying new places and rarely go back to the same place twice. My most recent love is Jeju Noodle Bar, though. It's a Korean noodle bar in the West Village that has a casual but refined vibe, and I want to eat absolutely everything on the menu.
What is a recent binge worthy show or podcast you've enjoyed?
Binge-worthy podcast - How I Built This. Listening to stories of how entrepreneurs started their businesses is a never-ending source of entertainment and inspiration for me.
What is up next on your (travel, adventure, experience-related, etc) bucket list?
Japan in April and the Azores this summer.
Which women are role models in your life?
My mother and Michelle Obama. Both women, to me, are beautiful from the inside out and care so much about helping others. They inspire me to spread more good in the world, too.
+ Serafina Alonso, Executive Chef
What do you do regularly for self-care and how do you find the time to fit it in?
My profession has never left me with much time for self-care! It wasn't until recently that I've made it a priority to incorporate some form of self-care into my daily routine. I stand on my feet all day, so foam rolling for even ten minutes helps to relax my muscles get my circulation going. Walking to work helps me clear my head and gives me the energy to start my day. Incorporating small actions can make a huge difference and isn't as overwhelming. Other than that, I love acupuncture and infrared saunas!
What is your favorite quote?
“To make a good salad is to be a brilliant diplomat - the problem is entirely the same in both cases. To know how much oil to mix in with one's vinegar.”― Oscar Wilde ;)
Which women are role models in your life?
As a chef I admire Nancy Silverton for her authenticity, dedication to her craft, humility and grace.
What is your go-to meal to impress a loved one?
Every one always remembers dessert! I have a few tricks up my sleeve from my time spent as a pastry chef. If I'm going take the time to make dessert, I'm going to go all out!
What is your favorite restaurant?
It's a tie between Barbuto and abcV.
What is a recent binge worthy show or podcast you've enjoyed?
Killing Eve
What is up next on your (travel, adventure, experience-related, etc) bucket list?
Italy!
What 3 things will we always find in your kitchen?
Good quality extra virgin olive oil, maldon sea salt, and lemons. You can make a great meal out of almost anything as long as you have these three things!
+ Sarah Hebbel-Stone, Head of Client Wellness
What 3 things will we always find in your kitchen?
Baby spinach, local eggs, avocado.
What is your favorite quote?
"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." -Buddha
Which women are role models in your life?
Our founder, Caroll! She built Provenance from scratch and gets to work in the food and wellness space every day. She's able to really make a difference in people's lives by making it easy to eat healthy while upholding her values.
What is your go-to meal to impress a loved one?
I make a pretty mean grass-fed burger with caramelized onions and baked sweet potato fries.
What is your favorite restaurant?
This is tough, but I have to go with a little place I used to work at in Portsmouth, NH called the Black Trumpet. In NYC? Kings County Imperial, The Finch, Faun, The Four Horsemen, ROKC, Speedy Romeo, Dimes...
What is a recent binge worthy show or podcast you've enjoyed?
It's never a bad idea to rewatch all of Arrested Development.
What is up next on your (travel, adventure, experience-related, etc) bucket list?
Istanbul, Rio de Janiero, and Havana all top the list, but my next big trip will probably be Greece.
What do you do regularly for self-care and how do you find the time to fit it in?
Weekly vinyasa yoga, monthly acupuncture, scheduling down time for myself. And that is the trick - literally putting it on your calendar.
+ Lauren Haupt, Director of Operations
What do you do regularly for self-care and how do you find the time to fit it in?
Like many people, I don't have enough time for what would typically be labeled as self-care, but I do allow myself some small concessions (i.e, things I don't feel guilty about), like placeholders until I can really make the time for things like exercise and massages. One of them is coffee. I love coffee: the taste, aroma, ritual, history, culture, everything. It can be controversial in health circles, and I don't drink too much of it, but I am a proud coffee drinker.
What is your favorite quote?
"Comparison is the thief of joy." -Theodore Roosevelt
Which women are role models in your life?
One of my best friends, Emily. She's really taught me what it means to be a friend and how to nurture relationships. You have to put in the work and she leads by example.
What is your go-to meal to impress a loved one?
A pile of pancakes with macerated strawberries, maple syrup and fresh whipped cream.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Casa Enrique.
What is a recent binge worthy show or podcast you've enjoyed?
My Favorite Murder podcast (SSDGM).
What is up next on your (travel, adventure, experience-related, etc) bucket list?
In the last year I've had friends move to Austin, Reno and Honolulu - I would love to go visit them all and see the new lives they are creating for themselves.
What 3 things will we always find in your kitchen?
Kosher salt.
Sea salt.
Pink Himalayan salt.
+ Victoria Hajaistron, Fulfillment Coordinator
What 3 things will we always find in your kitchen?
Family meals that I brought home from the Provenance kitchen, avocados and olives!
What is your favorite quote?
"Enlightenment is when the wave realizes that it is the ocean"
Which women are role models in your life?
Myself, my mother and Lady Gaga. Strong women who bloom in the face of adversity and hardships inspire me.
What is your go-to meal to impress a loved one?
Baked ziti!
What is your favorite restaurant?
It's a hard tie between Panzerotti Bites in downtown Brooklyn and Joanne's Trattoria in the Upper West Side.
What is a recent binge worthy show or podcast you've enjoyed?
Show: Maniac. Podcast: Here Be Monsters & Stuff They Don't Want You to Know.
What is up next on your (travel, adventure, experience-related, etc) bucket list?
A cross country road trip!
What do you do regularly for self-care and how do you find the time to fit it in?
Being both a busy New Yorker, a full-time college student, and full-time employee at Provenance Meals can make finding time for self-care a challenge. So I try to keep my routine as simple as possible. I try my best to brew myself a cup of my favorite tea (Irish Breakfast tea) and sit down for at least 30 minutes to read or journal everyday. Reading and writing helps me unwind, so I try my best to make time for it daily.
+ Liz Mazzei, Director of Marketing
What do you do regularly for self-care and how do you find the time to fit it in?
I work out on the regular and target about 2 days of cardio and 2 days of strength training each week. I also show my self-care by eating good food. Whether from Provenance, cooked at home, or eating out, I take every opportunity to delight my taste buds.
What 3 things will we always find in your kitchen?
Hot sauce. I have a whole shelf in my fridge dedicated to it.
Corn Tortillas. Pan fried with a little salt and dash of cheese they are such a quick snack and complement to soup.
Pasture-raised, organic eggs. Eggs are my go-to breakfast. I feel so great when I fuel my day with protein.
What is your favorite quote?
"Teamwork makes the dream work!"
What is your go-to meal to impress a loved one?
Homemade Lamb Ragu with Garlic Bread. Grandmas recipe!
What is your favorite restaurant?
The Islands. Seriously authentic Caribbean food in Prospect Heights.
What is a recent binge worthy show or podcast you've enjoyed?
I'm obsessed with True Blood at the moment and can watch 3-5 episodes in one sitting.
What is up next on your (travel, adventure, experience-related, etc) bucket list?
Paris!
Which women are role models in your life?
My Italian grandma. She is such a strong-willed, caring lady. She is always thinking of others, always has a plan, and always gets her way.
+ Zoraida Carrasco, Sous Chef
What 3 things will we always find in your kitchen?
Milk, Cereal, Seasoning.
What is your favorite quote?
“Don’t take shit from no one but stay humble”
Which women are role models in your life?
My mom is my role model. As a Mexican immigrant that could barely speak any English to become a prep manager was a big inspiration.
What is your go-to meal to impress a loved one?
My son and my bf love rice, mashed potatoes, garlic rosemary seared steak and sautéed kale.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Ichiran in Brooklyn. I love ramen!
What is a recent binge worthy show or podcast you've enjoyed?
The Good Doctor.
What is up next on your (travel, adventure, experience-related, etc) bucket list?
After having this baby (!), I plan on picking up from where I left off as Sous Chef. Travel wise I loved Miami and hope to go back there again. I'd love to travel to Europe and Asia to taste all different kinds of foods too!
What do you do regularly for self-care and how do you find the time to fit it in?
Drink tea ! It’s a must for me now. Non-caffeine tea (unless I crave coffee) I try not to have any caffeine. Face mask and drinking lots of water. As working mom I barely find time to squeeze in a face mask routine but when I find five minutes I do a quick face routine.
