Charmene Vega

Charmène M. Vega, affectionately known as Mama Vega®, is a Bakersfield author, speaker, educator and self-taught chef. A fourth-generation natural food cook and generational teacher, she founded Mama Vega Enterprises and the Mama Vega® brand, which grew from her homemade salsa into cookbooks, journals, apparel and gifts.

Charmène writes for real families and real kitchens. Her books include WHO CARES? The Untold Truth About Caregiving and Self-Sacrifice, the Now, Chew On This…® cookbooks, Nourishing Generations, Harness Your Hormones, and practical caregiver journals and organizers. Her message is simple: good food, good boundaries and a little grace can make everyday life better, on any budget.

A former culinary instructor who has mentored Le Cordon Bleu trainees, she is a Rotarian, a recipient of a mayor's award for community service, and a longtime advocate for caregivers, women and families in need. She has worked with organizations including Kaiser Permanente, was a featured speaker for a United States State Department subcommittee on health and wellness, and was nominated for the Athena Award for her work encouraging women. She speaks to churches, community groups and organizations as a Caregiver Author & Speaker.

Charmène is a mama to many, and she believes everyone deserves a seat at the kitchen table.