Stephanie Morgan of Seabirds, Part One

Photo by Kimberly Valenzuela

There's a lot of interesting stories behind our local food truck scene. Stephanie Morgan's is one of them. To start the Seabirds--OC's one and only vegan gourmet food truck--this entrepreneur gave up a plum job at a New York City investment firm.

Today we ask our subject our standard questions. Tomorrow, we ask even more specific ones that will reveal more of her story.

Then on Thursday, our profile continues and Stephanie will share a recipe.

What are six words to describe your food?

Local, fresh, organic, wholesome, vibrant, unique.

What are ten words to describe you?

Determined, daring, creative, loyal, caring, busy, happy, adventurous, curious, daring, polite.

Your best recent food find:

Mojo criollo marinade from New Orleans.

Most undervalued ingredient:

Nutritional yeast.

Rules of conduct in your kitchens:

No meat, no messes and no bad attitudes.

One food you detest:

Cottage cheese.

One food you can't live without:

Pizza.

Culinarily speaking, Orange County has the best:

Mexican food, although San Diego comes really close.

What fast food is your least favorite?

McDonalds, (the Evil Empire) not only because I think the the food is horrible and really bad for you but the effects of McDonalds popularity has created a lot of problems with our food systems and obesity here in the US.

Best culinary tip for the home cook.

Get a zester.

After-work hangout:

That would be my bed to sleep! But on the rare days off I'd be at the beach or pool.

If you could cook for one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Paula Dean. I'd love to show her that you can make a dish taste great without a pound of butter and a cup of heavy cream! Yikes!

Favorite celebrity chef.

Rick Bayless. I love his enthusiasm for authentic Mexican food. You can tell he loves what he does and that shows in his food.

Celebrity chef who should shut up:

I'm all for speaking your mind. As long as it's an open one.

What's next for you?

Expanding my mobile business as I prepare to transition to a restaurant type environment.

Proudest moment as a chef/restaurant owner:

Seeing the Seabirds Truck after it was wrapped and realizing months of hard work had finally turned my dream into a tangible reality.

Favorite music to cook by:

The Very Best.