Recipe for Healing
When chef Ryan Van Voorhis prepares and serves one of his private in-home meals, he brings more to the table than delicious food. As a person with an ostomy, he brings first-hand knowledge of digestive issues. Ryan and his business partner, Seth Bradley, run Nude Dude Food—a Chicago-based, private dining and catering service that specializes in both incorporating and substituting menu items and ingredients for a variety of anti-inflammatory diets. "Nude" refers to the pure food Ryan and Seth prepare. They specialize in seasonal farm-to-table ingredients, as well as dietary restrictions, such as FODMAP, gluten free, AIP and anti-inflammatory diets.
When the two met at age 15 in driver's education class, they couldn't have predicted how their lives would accelerate as adults. Diagnosed with Crohn's disease while in high school, Ryan struggled with debilitating pain and the side effects of steroids. Finally, as a junior at Illinois State University, he traveled to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where doctors strongly recommended a colostomy.
"I realized I had zero quality of life as it was, so I welcomed the ostomy, and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise," explains Ryan.
Once he was off steroids, Ryan started to feel better. His fireman father was well-versed in caring for wounds and assisted his son during recovery. Because surgery took place during the summer, Ryan's high school friends were also back home in Peoria, Illinois, and made sure he got out of the house for some fun.
His biggest challenge in the first year or two after surgery was staying hydrated. After a couple of trips to the ER for IV fluids, Ryan realized that his lifestyle had to change. After he focused on a healthy diet and staying active, he graduated from college and felt stronger than he'd ever been.
"People think you should look sick if you have an ostomy," says Ryan. "But I'm in the gym five days a week—cross-training, weightlifting and doing yoga to stay in shape."
Inspired by the psychotherapists who treated him in the hospital, Ryan pursued a Master's Degree in Social Work. After graduation, he landed a job with a child welfare agency working with children in foster care. He later counseled residents about crisis intervention at a Juvenile Temporary Detention Center.
This experience made Ryan a perfect fit for a counselor's role at Camp Oasis, a summer camp for children with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis established by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. After volunteering as a counselor for five years, he moved into the role of Lead Mental Health Specialist for the camp.
His favorite story is about a camper who hesitated to go into the water because of his ostomy. But once he saw Ryan reveal his pouch and jump in the water, the boy threw embarrassment to the wind and followed suit.
"I didn't realize that I could be a role model just by being myself and not letting my disease define me," explains Ryan. "Camp Oasis is literally the best week of the year for me."
Back in Chicago, when not working, Ryan could be found in the kitchen perfecting a recipe. "Cooking has always been both my stress relief and creative outlet," he says. Meanwhile, his friend Seth was honing his own cooking skills between time spent traveling throughout the country as a professional singer and musician.
Finally, in 2016, friends urged them to open a restaurant. The two knew they needed to stand out from the typical fare and decided to launch a private catering company, pairing the art of eating well with the ultimate interactive in-home dining experience. Guests not only feast on healthy meals, but also get involved and learn kitchen techniques and tricks.
"We're constantly developing new healthy recipes, trying different hacks to improve flavor," explains Ryan.
Using social media, an Instagram account became their main means of promotion, and within a year they gained enough traction to quit their full-time jobs. Now Ryan and Seth are sought after for everything from bachelorette brunches to fine dining. They travel across the country, making television appearances and advocating for people with Crohn's disease and colitis.
"My two worlds are colliding—helping others and providing a great dining experience," says Ryan. "Having an ostomy is just part of my life and I don't let it stop me."
And Ryan has plenty more to accomplish in the years ahead. He and Seth are working on developing anti-inflammatory recipes for packaged goods and a cookbook. Read more and book an event at nudedudefood.com. Check out one of Ryan's favorite recipes!
Ryan Van Voorhis is an active part of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's Camp Oasis. He is co-owner of Nude Dude Food based in Chicago, IL. All article images are provided by Nude Dude Food and by Laura Rose Davis of Everyday Charming.
Financial Disclosure: Ryan Van Voorhis received compensation from Hollister Incorporated for his contribution to this eNewsletter.
