Joy Pierson

Joy Pierson is best known for her work as one of the three founding owners of the world-renowned New York-based vegetarian restaurant, Candle Cafe. She has become an advocate for vegan living and is the author of several influential books on both vegetarian cooking and personal growth.

Originally from Queens, New York, Pierson studied dietician nutrition at Queens College and has since dedicated her professional career to the promotion of vegetarianism and veganism. In 1984, she opened Candle Cafe with Bart Potenza and Joy Feldman. The restaurant has since become world famous due to its inventive, plant-based menu and sustainability initiatives.

Pierson has been championing the vegan lifestyle since before veganism became as popular as it is today. As a vegetarian for over 40 years and a vegan for 25, Pierson is highly knowledgeable on the topic, and her books are a valuable resource for anyone interested in living a vegan lifestyle. Her 2011 book, Candle Cafe Cookbook: More Than 150 Enlightened Dinners, offers more than 150 vegan recipes, while her more recent 2019 book, The Candle Cafe Cookbook: Vibrant Plant-Based Recipes has over 180 oil-free recipes.

In her books, Pierson dives deep into veganism, exploring the health benefits of switching from a plant-based to an animal-based diet. She talks about the impact it has had on her life physically and emotionally, and about the nutritional and environmental benefits. In addition to her books on vegan cooking, Pierson has authored several other books on personal growth, offering tips and advice on how to improve physical, mental and emotional health.

Her book, Wisdom Cards: Engaging Your Intuition Through Inspiration & Guidance features 30 cards with reflective questions exploring how to tap into one’s inner wisdom. Pierson also wrote Nurture Your Inner Soul, which focuses on how to hone a positive attitude, connect with your spiritual center and enhance the overall quality of life.

Though Pierson has published several books, she remains actively involved in the restaurant she founded over 30 years ago. She continues to work at Candle Cafe, teaching visitors about the joy of vegan cooking and sharing her decades of knowledge about green living and vegetarian nutrition.

Her life’s work is a direct reflection of her own personal journey as an environmental steward, health educator, and creative entrepreneur. Pierson is an inspiration for anyone looking to learn more about the vegan lifestyle and integrate it into their daily life. With her years of knowledge, inspirational stories, and delicious vegan recipes, Pierson’s books offer readers a chance to explore the full potential of veganism.