Brooklyn based, Frank Mentesana has been working around food for a long time. He was the founding owner of the renowned bakery/cafe Once Upon a Tart...in Soho, New York City, author/photographer of Soups, Salads, Muffins and More (Knopf), and Founding-Director of EcoSpaces Education, a nonprofit that brought Food Literacy Education to children and communities through cooking, gardening, healthy eating and exercise.
“My first endeavor into entrepreneurship was as the founding co-owner of Once Upon a Tart in NYC and the author/photographer of the cookbook bearing its name. Although out of print, the Once Upon a Tart Cookbook (Knopf) can be found here and there. “
“I have always had the desire to get people to cook food and share a meal. Trying to understand the challenges people have in doing so, it makes logical sense we need to start educating children about food so they can grow into adults that are empowered to make good decisions around food, health, community, and the sustainability of our planet. That being said, I created and for 10 years was the director of a nonprofit called EcoSpaces Education. Two of my favorite initiatives were the Growing Healthy Communities Conference and The Mobile Food Lab “ https://www.facebook.com/EcospacesEd
In addition, his food styling, writing, and photography have been seen in Saveur, Martha Stewart, Food and Wine, Delish.com, Kashi.com, Real Simple, The Washington Post, Baltimore City Paper, Woman's Day, Edible Communities, McCormick Spices TV commercials, and the cookbooks, Noodles Everyday and The Perfect Recipe. He is currently consulting partner in the California restaurant group Locale 90, the co-proprietor of Kitchen Detail Print Shop, as well as the Head of Growth at Heritage Radio Network.