Alice Waters is a celebrated chef, food activist, and the founder of Chez Panisse restaurant and the Edible Schoolyard Project. She is widely regarded as the pioneer of “California Cuisine” and a champion of local, organic produce. Her remarkable achievements include being the first woman to receive the prestigious James Beard Foundation's Best Chef in America award, induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame, and recognition with Bon Appetit magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Waters had time to devote herself to other facets of food activism, such as the Garden Project, which provided produce to the San Francisco County jail and work opportunities to its former inmates. In 1996, to celebrate the restaurant’s 25th anniversary, Waters founded the Chez Panisse Foundation, which funded programs that educated young people on responsible agriculture.

Waters' lifelong dedication to promoting equitable, sustainable, and organic food has transformed the food industry and the way people view food. Her educational programs have made a lasting impact on children and adults alike. The Edible Schoolyard Project, for example, has empowered countless children in Alameda County and beyond to learn about the importance of nutrition and environmental sustainability.