Dr. Joslin Mar-Dai
The Culinary Alchemist
Meet Dr. Joslin Mar-Dai
CEO | Executive Chef | Author | Motivational Speaker
A proud alumna of Grambling State University, Dr. Mar-Dai brings the profound wisdom of a retired 21-year tenured professor and Department Chair to her ultimate passion: holistic wellness through plant-based culinary arts. As the Executive Vegan Chef and CEO of Vegans on the Run in Shreveport, Louisiana, she transforms traditional Southern comfort food into elevated, restorative cuisine. Whether she is crafting high-end dishes, leading community initiatives through The Mar-Dai Foundation, or guiding readers through her latest book, Soul-Fed: A Journey to Alignment, her mission remains the same: to nourish the mind, heal the body, and elevate the spirit.
Praise for Soul-Fed
"Dr. Joslin Pickens’ Soul-Fed is a beautiful reflection of care for the body, the spirit, and the community. Her work affirms that wellness and culture are not separate pursuits but deeply connected expressions of how we live and lead."
Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr., President, Grambling State University
"What makes Joslin exceptional is how she creates spaces where people feel nourished. Soul-Fed: A Journey to Alignment carries the same warmth, wisdom, and intention she brings to every table she touches."
Chef Niematulai DiGrazia,
Food Network Veteran & Executive Chef
"Dr. Joslin Mar-Dai Pickens is a powerhouse... Her strength, kindness, and resilience act as a priceless compass for us all, and her self-love is the map. Soul-Fed is a beautiful reflection of that truth."
Roxann Johnson Hughes,
Community Advocate
