THE FIFTH COURSE x CAMPERS EP. 1
Kicking off with our first and incredible guest, Chloé Crane-Leroux
There are people you meet by chance, through work, or just by living in the same neighborhood. Some drift in and out. Some become friends. And some, if you’re lucky, stick around long enough to become something more.
I first met Chloe Crane Leroux at her book launch at Frank’s House (where else?), and I was instantly drawn to her, to the way she sees things, the way she talks about flavor, light, and storytelling. Since then, we’ve shared dinners, one-on-one hangs, and a few double dates. Man, I love her.
When we started filming Campers, Chloe felt like the only right person to open this series. Safe to say I consider her a very good friend now, which made sitting down for this episode that much more meaningful. A conversation with her is never just about food — it’s about beauty, creativity, intention, and how we move through the world.
Before I go any further, a huge thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the launch of Campers this week at Frank’s House (again, I ask, where else?) Friends, family, our incredible guests, the press and media, fellow food lovers, and our sponsors & collaborators Community Wines, Oona Wine, Free Spirits, Naked Life, Faccia Brutto, Losers NYC, Sadies by the Bay, and Lonny Geller , it meant the world to see that room so full, and to feel the energy around this little show we’ve been dreaming up for months. I also need to thank the Campers team: none of this would exist without their creativity, heart, and countless hours behind the scenes. I’ve poured so much of myself into Campers, and to finally share it, and share a great slice of pizza and an Amaro soda to mark the moment, was more special than I can say. Thank you for being part of it.
A party is nothing without music…Playlist from the evening <3
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Who is she: Chloé Crane-Leroux
What does she do: Food & lifestyle photographer, content creator, recipe developer, author of The Artful Way to Plant-Based Cooking: Nourishing Recipes and Heartfelt Moments
Where to find her: Website | Instagram
Originally from Montreal, Chloe is now based in NYC. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Forbes, and she has collaborated with brands such as CHANEL, Dior, J. Crew, and Anthropologie. A classically trained photographer (Parsons BFA), Chloe brings a minimalist, romantic sensibility to both her images and her plant-based cooking. Her work celebrates simple pleasures and small joys, something you’ll feel in every page of her book, every frame of her photos.
WHAT’S ON THE PASS
I cook for every guest on Campers, and it’s become one of my favorite parts of the process. Choosing what to make feels a bit like writing a letter to each person. I sneak in little questions tailored to each guest, which eventually lead me to a dish.
The fun part is that the dish always tells me something about them, without them ever having to say a word. And I love a culinary challenge. So far, I’ve never made the same dish twice.
For Chloe, the choice was easy. I wanted to cook something directly from her book, The Artful Way to Plant-Based Cooking, which is a beautiful invitation to plant-based cooking that feels both grounded and elevated. Her creamy mushroom risotto felt like the perfect fit — comforting, earthy, and romantic.
Here’s the exact recipe I used: → Creamy Mushroom Risotto
How did it go? Honestly, it was a dream to make the room smell incredible, and the dish was delicious!
THE CONVERSATION
I’ve rewatched this episode probably more times than I should admit. Even as a friend, Chloe’s creative process fascinates me, and this conversation provided me with new insights into how she thinks.
A few highlights:
Best piece of advice: ‘JUST GO FOR IT. We’re all scared to start something new, afraid of judgment or how people might perceive us. But your social media is truly for you. Post what you love, what excites you, and what you're passionate about. Talk about it, film it, share it—whatever it is, begin. Don’t let fear be the reason you hold back’ - Chloe.
Listening to Chloe’s journey and how she carved out her path was genuinely inspiring. It reminded me that when you fully commit, you can create something incredible. For me, the most challenging part has always been deciding what to commit to. But since chatting with Chloe, I genuinely feel like I’ve shifted into a more focused and goal-oriented routine. Thank you, Chloe. Your consistency method truly works.
Diving into social media: Chloe dove headfirst into social media during the pandemic. At the time, she was working full-time as a photographer, but on-site shoots were quickly disappearing, as was the reality we knew, which soon came to a halt. With an already impressive following of around 40K, she made a bold commitment: one reel a day for two years. Four years later, that dedication has grown her community to 1.4M followers. I mean, WOW. Talk about inspo…
Writing and photographing a whole cookbook: Everyone should know that The Artful Way to Plant Based Cooking is entirely Chloe’s creation. She wrote every recipe, and she took every photo. She created the book with a team of three, including Chloe and her mom, Trudy. Cover to cover, it’s a true reflection of who Chloe is and the incredible work she pours into everything she does.
I read it in one sitting, and it was pure joy. The recipes and writing feel like an early summer evening hug, warm, calm, and full of heart. The photography is stunning, and the love you feel from both Chloe and Trudy is something really special.
Everyone needs this book in their lives - Order here
Think like Chloe: Consistency is the way to do anything. Be assertive. Be honest. Don't be afraid.
Death row meal: Vegan Sushi
New York City - Planta Queen
Montreal - Sushi Momo
Paris - Bloom Sushi
What Chloe’s working on next: Working on trying to find and purchase the perfect home in Provence, France.
SIDE PLATE
Post-wrap indulgence: After filming, I wandered over to Place des Fêtes, ordered two sardine toasts and a Mezcal Negroni. Don’t ask, just thank me!
My outfit from the episode:
Dress: Red two-piece outfit was a Zara Find. It's no longer on their website, but here is a link on Poshmark (sadly, only in an XS).
Shoes: Classic black Sambas
Other recs this week:
Chloe’s book, obviously. Buy it here. You will reach for it often, vegan or not!
Until Next Time
Kicking off this series with Chloe felt exactly right — a meal and a conversation that reminded me why I wanted to make Campers in the first place. One post a month here will live in this space: a slower look at each guest, what I cooked, what I learned, and what I’d change if I could do it all again.
Watch Chloe’s full episode here.
See you next time :)
xx
Gina