About the Founder                                            

Zizania founder Dominique Hoffman is a nutritionist and chef who was raised on a traditional Mediterranean diet. Since her childhood in France, Dominique gravitated towards wholesome foods that nourished her body and spirit.

Many years later, as an American at a high-pressure job, she found that her eating habits had changed drastically. Like millions around her, she was eating foods packed with everything but the nutrition her body needed. Dominique left her corporate job and put together a program that encompasses all aspects of nutrition: counseling, cooking, and daily support.  Dominique wanted to create a program that would free people from packaged food, pills, and gimmicks.  The market is saturated with diet plans and products that promise miracles.  Yet, the solution is much simpler and  Michael Polan says it best: "eat food, mostly plants, not too much".

Dominique studied nutrition and cooking in France and holds an undergraduate degree in nutrition. She is currently enrolled in a Master's Degree program for Clinical Nutrition at the University of Bridgeport, CT (degree expected in 2013).

Dominique has taught cooking courses for the Fairfax County Adult and Continuing Education Program. She also served as the in-house nutritionist for Fitness Together in Dunn Loring, VA and Arlington Personal Fitness, Arlington, VA. Dominique has also helped restaurants create a healthy and gluten free menu. Most recently, Dominique was named Nutrition Program Director for Whole Health Medical Centers in Alexandria, VA.

Zizania is the result of Dominique’s fusion of traditional recipes, modern nutritional advances, French cuisine, and her experiences with designing diets to meet doctors’ instructions. Zizania is Dominique’s wish for everyone. Enjoy eating again and live a long, healthy, and productive life.