Kelli’s passion for organic gardening and homestead farming is rooted in her concern for environmental justice and physical and mental wellness. She is a Master Gardener, focusing on urban farming, and has worked as a garden educator for more than 10 years.

In addition to her work with Plant to Plate, she is the Garden Educator at Saint Mary’s College of California. She holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and worked in many different contexts as a mental health professional before pursuing her education and experience in growing food organically. Cultivating and tending to the earth brought Kelli’s two passions for wellness and environmental justice together. It is from this foundation that she coordinates and leads the Plant to Plate Internship Program.

Anaviv is led by Chef Arnon Oren, who was born in Israel and classically trained in Lyon, France. Fortunate to grow up surrounded by an abundance of fruit trees, a goat for milk and cheese, honey bees, and olive trees for cured olives and olive oil, his first tastes were of pure foods and fresh flavors. Chef Arnon emulates those wondrous experiences with every dish he creates.

Building on many years of experience in San Francisco Bay Area restaurants, including at the iconic Chez Panisse, Oliveto Cafe & Restaurant, and as the Executive Chef at Café Cacao for Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker. In 2015, Chef Arnon decided to focus on creating memorable culinary experiences for the community and sold his specialty nut business to Nuthouse! Granola Co. Today, Chef Arnon leads Anaviv and is deeply engaged in the local community. He sits on the Advisory Board for the Contra Costa College Culinary Academy and is a Commissioner on the Richmond Economic Development Committee. Six years ago, Chef Arnon co-founded Plant to Plate, an internship program empowering and mentoring kids in Richmond through organic gardening and culinary arts. 

“With each experience, I have gained wisdom about cooking and the honor of bringing food to someone’s table.”

Tonya joins us as Anaviv’s Sales and Event Production Manager. A big believer in happily-ever-after whether it be for your big day or a very special event, Tonya takes great joy in learning peoples’ stories and seeing them through. Having been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years, she knows the importance of connecting with people and paying attention to details. Working in Orange County, Napa Valley, Sacramento, and now the Bay Area has opened her up to a plethora of experiences, and she constantly strives to top her last event. She truly loves what she does, which shows beautifully in her work, and wouldn’t change it for the world.