Ron Pickarski is the first professional vegetarian chef to be certified as an Executive Chef (CEC) by the American Culinary Federation. A recognized expert in the preparation of both traditional and vegetarian cuisine, Mr. Pickarski is the president and executive research and development chef of Eco-Cuisine, Inc., a food technology consulting service. He is also the author of Friendly Foods and Eco-Cuisine: An Ecological Approach to Gourmet Vegetarian Cooking.