Bailey Ruskus

Bailey Ruskus, known professionally as Chef Bai, is a chef, author, holistic nutrition consultant, and keynote speaker whose work focuses on plant-based cooking and wellness. Classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco, Ruskus applies her culinary expertise to develop recipes that emphasize clean, nourishing ingredients. She has worked as a professional chef in restaurants and private settings internationally, advocating for individuals with chronic health conditions, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.

Ruskus’s transition to plant-based cooking was driven by her personal experience with endometriosis, which led her to explore the connection between nutrition and health. After pursuing further education in nutrition, she earned a certification in plant-based nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and became a certified health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. This blend of classical culinary training and evidence-based nutrition informs her approach to plant-based wellness.

As an author, Ruskus published the cookbook "Cook. Heal. Go Vegan!" featuring more than 70 plant-based recipes. She followed with "Breaking Up With Dairy," which offers over 100 plant-based alternatives to traditional dairy products, including milks, coffee creamers, sauces, and cheeses. Her work has been featured in media outlets such as Good Morning America, Veg News, Brit + Co, Yahoo, Clean Eating Magazine, and Parade.

Ruskus maintains a significant presence on social media, where she shares educational content on plant-based cooking, endometriosis awareness, and conscious living with a community of hundreds of thousands. She hosted a podcast focused on plant-based nutrition and wellness, interviewing experts in the field, and leads a Substack community dedicated to plant-based health and cooking.

In addition to content creation, Ruskus and her team provide education through public speaking, recipe development for blogs and magazines, consulting for restaurants on sustainable practices, and individualized coaching for those seeking to improve health through food. She works with coaches, executives, athletes, and families, offering guidance on plant-based nutrition, chronic illness, and healthy living. Ruskus’s experience with chronic pain and her expertise in plant-based wellness position her as a knowledgeable speaker on topics related to health, nutrition, and resilience.