“We believe that every child is born with the ability to love food,” said Dr. Bonnie Feola. A pediatrician and certified chef, she recognized a gap in how we talk about feeding children. She is the founder of Nibbles and Sprouts, a pediatric culinary medicine practice that she is growing in the Master of Business Creation program.
“After selling my pediatric practice, I had time to reflect on what I had to offer families,” she said. “I kept coming back to the kitchen table. Parents are frustrated, overwhelmed, or feeling judged when it comes to feeding their children. Food is so important, food is fuel, but it’s so much more — it’s connection, joy, love, and confidence.”
With her rare combination of medical and culinary expertise, Dr. Bonnie created Nibbles and Sprouts.
She earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University, attended medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, and completed her pediatric internship and residency at Texas Children’s Hospital. Later, Dr. Bonnie earned certification in culinary medicine coaching and trained to become a chef.
To bring her vision to life and gain an understanding of how her company could connect with families in a meaningful way, Dr. Bonnie enrolled in the Master of Business Creation program at the University of Utah. She credits the program with giving her the clarity and structure to grow her business with intention.
“After years of being a pediatrician and re-training as a chef, I knew how to care for children and how to cook, but I didn’t yet know how to grow a business around this vision,” she said. “The MBC has given me the tools, mentorship, and strategic foundation to bring Nibbles and Sprouts to life in a very meaningful way.”
Nibbles and Sprouts was created to bring pediatric culinary medicine into family life, making it practical, approachable, and emotionally attuned to the challenges of modern parenting.
“We guide food-curious parents who want more than a quick fix for picky eating,” said Dr. Bonnie. “They’re seeking developmental clarity, long-term health, and a sense of connection at the table, not just ways to get their child to eat broccoli.” Her approach is rooted in the belief that feeding is not just a task, but an opportunity to build lifelong relationships with food and with one another.
At the heart of Nibbles and Sprouts is “taste literacy,” the foundational skillset that helps children grow into confident, curious eaters.
“If you think about how you teach a child to read, you start with the ABCs, the letters get put into words, the words get put into sentences, the sentences get put into stories, and then you have comprehension. Teaching a child to appreciate, enjoy, and feel confident around food is how we build the foundation of food literacy.” Dr. Bonnie said.
To guide parents through the everyday challenges of feeding, Nibbles and Sprouts will soon be launching a first-of-its-kind publication that goes beyond a typical newsletter. The “Fussy to Foodie Collective” will offer expert guidance and flavor strategies designed to help parents shift from frustration to confidence at the table. Paid membership options will include access to exclusive content, a parent’s guide to taste training, and a private community for parents who want trusted, concierge-style support.
These insights are already shifting the conversation around feeding. Dr. Bonnie says that the most meaningful part of starting this company has been when a parent tells her, “You made me feel like I wasn’t doing it all wrong.” That, she explains, is what this work is truly about: helping parents feel seen, capable, and hopeful again. Through Nibbles and Sprouts, Dr. Bonnie is changing how families approach feeding, one curious eater at a time.
Learn more about Nibbles and Sprouts at nibblesandsprouts.com.
