Nom News - Gina Ferwerda

About Gina

Hi, I’m Gina Ferwerda — cookbook author, entrepreneur, media food expert, and founder of Nom News.

Food has always connected me to place, people, and community.

I was born and raised in Michigan, where my grandparents were farmers and “farm-to-table” wasn’t a trend — it was simply how we lived. That early connection to food, seasons, and community shaped everything that came next.

From Hospitality to the Kitchen Table

With more than three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, my career has spanned owning and operating hotels, RV resorts, a marina boat rental, beach shops, and lifestyle-driven businesses.

Along the way, I learned how to lead teams, make high-stakes decisions in fast-moving environments, and build brands where experience matters just as much as product.

That background eventually led me back to the kitchen.

In 2014, I launched a food blog called Boating, Boarding & Burgers, blending my love of travel, lake life, and approachable, seasonal cooking. The blog quickly gained national attention and opened the door to television, publishing, and brand partnerships.

Nom News: Food from the North, East, West & South

As my travels expanded, so did my storytelling.

What began in Michigan evolved into Nom News — a food and lifestyle platform that celebrates recipes, flavors, and stories from across the country.

Nom News is where everything comes together: my recipes, my travels, my products, and my belief that food connects us to place and to one another.

Here, you’ll find:

• Seasonal and travel-inspired recipes
• Stories rooted in place, people, and flavor
• Products I use every day in my kitchen

Cookbook Author & Silver Spices

In 2018, I released my first cookbook, Meals from the Mitten: Celebrating the Seasons in Michigan, a love letter to my home state and the rhythms of cooking with the seasons.

That philosophy continues with Silver Spices, my signature spice line developed to bring bold, balanced flavor to everyday cooking. These blends have become staples in my kitchen and are featured regularly in my culinary demonstrations and recipes.

Media, Speaking & Leadership

For more than 10 years, I’ve been a regular presence on national and regional television, with over 100 on-air food segments and appearances on TV stations across 40+ states.

I’ve shared recipes and stories on programs including Good Morning America, Daytime TV, TODAY Show Food Club, The Rachael Ray Show, The Chew, and many others.

Beyond media, my work extends into leadership and speaking. I bring over three decades of real-world leadership experience, guiding organizations and teams through complex decision-making where clarity, urgency, and strategic focus directly impact outcomes.

Philanthropy & Purpose

Community has always mattered to me.

I am a national board member of the 100 Who Care Alliance and the co-founder of 100+ Women Who Care of Oceana County, organizations dedicated to collective, intentional philanthropy.

I was honored to host the 100 Who Care Alliance Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in fall 2025.

These roles allow me to blend leadership, purpose, and action — helping others align time, intention, and impact.

Life Beyond the Kitchen

When I’m not cooking, creating, or traveling, you’ll find me enjoying the outdoors — Jeeping, snowmobiling, stand-up paddleboarding, boating, and embracing lake life in Silver Lake, Michigan (in the summer).

From September through April, travel fuels both my creativity and the stories I share here.

Nom News is more than a website — it’s where food, entrepreneurship, leadership, and community meet.

Writing & Speaking

In addition to her keynote work, Gina writes regularly on Substack, where she explores ideas around time, leadership, and legacy in greater depth. This writing serves as an extension of her speaking — offering thoughtful reflection, original frameworks, and perspective that doesn’t always fit into a stage or social media format.

Gina is also available for keynote speaking engagements for corporate, nonprofit, and leadership audiences. Details about her talks, topics, and availability can be found on her SpeakerHub profile.