Thaisa Fernandes is a program manager in tech, podcast host, and author who just launched her memoir cookbook, Vegan Anniversary in the Bay Area. As a Brazilian living in San Francisco, her perspective brings a unique twist to plant-based cuisine, culture, and community.

For years, Thaisa dreamed of creating a cookbook that celebrated her decade as a vegan while showcasing the diversity of Brazilian cuisine beyond what’s typically known outside Brazil. But like many creative projects, it kept getting postponed – until her friend Izabelle Alvares suggested they collaborate on a zine together. That idea turned into something bigger: a full memoir cookbook with high-quality printing, professional photography, and personal stories tied to every recipe.

Two months into the project, Izabelle discovered she was pregnant. As Thaisa puts it, “She was creating both a book and a human baby at the same time. If that’s not an accomplishment, I don’t know what is!”

In this episode, Thaisa shares how she balances her tech career with creative projects, the process of self-publishing a cookbook, and why having a “badass friend” to make things happen with you might be all you need.

You’ll learn about:

• How Thaisa balanced a 12+ year tech career as a program manager with launching a memoir cookbook
• How an idea to create a zine evolved into a full hardcover book
• Why collaboration matters: how working with a friend made the project possible
• How to veganize traditional Brazilian recipes (including the holy grail: pão de queijo) after years of experimentation

Guest Links

http://www.thaisafernandes.com

Social media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thaifernandes/

Memorable Quote:

“I think sometimes we are looking for perfection. But I think just starting is a great thing. And then you can build over time, and you can perfect over time, and what is perfection for you might be different from what is perfection for other people. So keep that in mind.”

Show Notes:

💻 [02:31] Thaisa’s day-to-day as a tech program manager

🇧🇷 [05:54] The importance of bringing Brazilian culture and cuisine to veganism

📖 [08:30] The explanation of the cookbook’s full title and meaning

🔄 [10:44] The origin story: From an idea to a zine to a full cookbook

🎨 [14:23] Making a unique, story-driven cookbook with authentic photography

📚 [16:23] Why she chose the self-publishing route and prioritized quality & affordability

🎤 [18:27] How side projects complement and improve her main career

🚀 [23:04] Thaisa’s advice: Start small, bring a friend, and set manageable goals

💡 [25:33] The power of building things step-by-step and letting go of perfection