Ieva Šidlaitė has a master degree in cultural history. After spending her university years in the noisy city of Vilnius, she escaped to a green farmstead in Nėris Regional Park known as Slėnis where she swapped the urban chaos for foggy meadows, lively forests, and a completely new kind of cooking. Ieva was inspired by the nature around her to learn more about wild edible plants and how to prepare whole foods. At first she used her new knowledge to cook healthy, balanced meals for her family, but gradually she began to share her experience with others. Ieva has written numerous articles about traditional cuisine, fermentation, souring, and edible wild plants. She also cooks for the guests staying at Slėnis Guesthouse and organizes workshops and yearly summertime seminars.