My 1st Cooks Atlas Interview + Fav Tomato Recipe!

Becky Hume has been working on some of the best farms in town since she arrived to Austin 10 years ago, and I was so stoked when she decided to start her own farm.

At VRDNT, Becky’s 11-acre farm in Bastrop, she has invested in a technology-forward, biointensive operation aimed at growing the most nutrient-dense vegetables for Central Texas. You’ve most likely seen their gorgeous produce stand at Mueller market; She also manages a thriving 200+ member year-round CSA program, and supplies produce to local wholesalers. And this time of year? She’s got the best gosh darn heirloom tomatoes you’ve ever tasted!

It just feels so kismet that the very first piece of press for Cooks Atlas was an interview that I did for Becky’s beautifully-written blog.

I’m excited to share the interview with you, but rather than copying and pasting the whole thing here, I’m going to send you VRDNT for the goods.

Shigeyo’s Heirloom Tomato Salad

Towards the end of the interview, you’ll find one of my absolute favorite tomato recipes, which I shared in memory of Shigeyo Atsusaka, my Japanese host mom, who departed from this planet on Sunday May 25, 2025.

Here are some of favorite pictures of Shigeyo, the woman who without even trying to, taught my restless 26-year old self how to have more fun in life by paying better attention to each moment.