Latest news with #JuliaSullivan
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Chef Julia Sullivan Struggled to Breathe For 8 Years Due to Nasal Polyps: ‘Feels Like An Elephant On My Chest' (Exclusive)
Julia Sullivan was strolling through the garden of her Nashville home in August 2021 when she suddenly caught the strong scent of fresh basil in the breeze. 'I was astounded by how much I could smell it,' she says. 'It was like being able to see in color for the first time in years.' Incredibly, it had been nearly a decade since the award-winning chef and successful Nashville restaurant owner had been able to taste or smell much of anything. For the past eight years she'd been struggling to breathe daily until finally, in September 2020, she was diagnosed with severe nasal polyps—soft, teardrop-shaped clusters of tissue that grow in the nose and sinuses, causing congestion, headaches, a loss of taste or smell and difficulty breathing. 'Not being able to breathe normally makes your whole day feel like a struggle,' says Sullivan, 42, who's one of 13 million people in the U.S. who suffer from the incurable condition. 'It feels like there's an elephant sitting on your chest. Your nose is closed up, and it makes you feel like you're underwater. I was pretty miserable.' Sullivan tried multiple nasal rinses, inhalers, ibuprofen and antibiotics — before a CAT scan finally revealed her polyps. Her doctors initially suggested surgery, but she worried the procedure might permanently affect her career. 'I'm a chef, and I'm not sure I want something scraped out of the inside of my nose,' she says. Fortunately, the James Beard Foundation finalist was able to find ongoing relief through medication — and with her health problems behind her, she's been thriving ever since. 'Now that I'm a few years out from it, I kind of forget how bad it was,' Sullivan says from the dining room of her oyster bar and restaurant Henrietta Red in Nashville. 'I remember going out for meals, spending all this money on food and wine — constantly blowing my nose at the table — and not being able to enjoy any of it. Now everything tastes better.' ! Sullivan was born and raised in Nashville, where she was the younger of two kids to Jimmy Sullivan, 78, an endocrinologist, and Stephanie Potts, 73, a nurse. 'It was such a great place to grow up. I always loved living on such a big rural piece of property. We had two donkeys, and I just loved to be outside, where we had a tree house,' says Sullivan, who grew up in a blended family with four siblings after her parents divorced in 1988 and both remarried. An avid track and cross-country runner throughout her teen years, she remembers struggling with periodic allergic reactions and wheezing as a kid — at times while she was on the track. 'As I got older, it kind of resolved itself. I've always carried an inhaler, but in my 20s I never really needed to use it.' After her junior year in high school she spent six weeks in France as part of an immersion program, where her host-mother introduced her to the culinary culture of Burgundy — igniting a passion for food and cooking. 'It was intoxicating. I really got into it,' says Sullivan. Her interest intensified during her undergrad years at Tulane University in New Orleans — where she was captivated by the city's rich culinary heritage and historic restaurant scene. 'It got me interested in the restaurant business,' says Sullivan, who worked doing food prep at a local restaurant during her junior year. She graduated in 2005 with a degree in finance and management and soon landed a job as a line cook at the Wild Iris restaurant in Brentwood, Tenn., under a female chef who prioritized seasonal cooking. 'It was my first real chef-driven restaurant experience.' In the fall of that same year, Sullivan enrolled at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. — which led to jobs at two Michelin-starred restaurants in and around New York City — Per Se and Blue Hill at Stone Barns — and, later, private-chef positions in Manhattan and the Hamptons. 'It was an incredible experience,' says Sullivan, who moved back to Nashville in late 2013 with dreams of opening up a restaurant. 'I always saw myself coming back and having a small business in some way, shape or form.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Unfortunately, her return to the greener surroundings of Nashville also triggered a resurgence of her breathing problems. She initially took a job as a sous-chef in a new restaurant, where the long hours and stressful kitchen atmosphere wreaked havoc on her sinuses. 'My head would just close up, and my nose constantly ran, and I had a lot of coughing,' recalls Sullivan. 'I was always dealing with something.' In the years that followed, she endured a relentless roller-coaster ride of symptoms. 'I was always in this persistent cycle of wheezing, issues with asthma and allergic reactions of varying degrees of severity. You don't want to be blowing your nose in a restaurant,' she adds. 'I would have to lie down and then have pretty serious fatigue for 24 hours.' Her doctors prescribed regimens of steroids — which offered temporary relief at best. 'Everything worked somewhat but not fully,' she says. Meeting the demands of her burgeoning career while feeling constantly exhausted added to her challenges. 'When I was a sous-chef, I would often just try to work through it,' says Sullivan, who more often than not was fighting to breathe while standing on her feet all day. 'I remember having to go home several times and not really understanding what was going on.' By the time she opened Henrietta Red in 2017, she'd lost most of her senses of both taste and smell. 'I could probably taste salt, acid and spice more than anything, but I really did struggle in that regard,' recalls Sullivan, who was forced to rely on her sensory memories. 'Luckily, I had other chefs who could taste and help season things so I could work normally. But it took a lot of the fun out of cooking for a long time. It really burned me out.' In the meantime, Sullivan's doctor had encouraged her to keep exercising and to maintain her lifelong active lifestyle despite her breathing problems. 'I've always done marathons and triathlons and bike races; the health stuff was just kind of happening alongside of that,' says Sullivan, whose last half Ironman competition (which includes a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run) was in 2019. 'Swimming underwater was one of the only things that would release the pressure in my sinuses,' she adds. Finally, in September 2020, her pulmonologist recommended a CAT scan — which confirmed her nasal polyps. 'My sinuses were completely blocked off,' she says. 'At that point no one had told me [that was a possible cause] even though I'd been struggling for years.' After ruling out surgery, a common treatment for nasal polyps, her doctor prescribed a bimonthly injection — and within two months she was breathing more freely. 'I haven't had any problems since,' she says. 'I can breathe normally.' is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Now, nearly four years later, Sullivan still marvels at how far she's come. 'Walking around not being able to breathe is exhausting. Before, I could be in bed for days,' she says. 'Now I've almost forgotten all that happened.' Last fall she opened a second restaurant, called Judith, in Sewanee, Tenn., in the southern Appalachian Mountains about 90 miles outside Nashville. 'I just love being able to take advantage of the peace and quiet and natural beauty out there,' says Sullivan, who enjoys gardening, tennis, hiking with her two mixed huskies, June and Mack — and hosting dinner parties for friends when she has the time. 'I went through a time when I was really miserable — and I'm so grateful not to be stuck in that place anymore. 'I love cooking,' she adds, 'and seeing ingredients being turned into something that everyone can enjoy. Ultimately it's about bringing people together — it's the enjoyment of it all that keeps me in it.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
7 Reasons To Visit This Tiny Tennessee Mountain Town, According To A Local Chef
Don't let Sewanee, Tennessee's, tiny size trick you into dismissing it. While it's best known as home of The University of the South, often called simply Sewanee, everyone's invited to closely study the charming town and the natural beauty of its asked award-winning Southern chef Julia Sullivan, who considers the town a second home, for her thoughts. Co-owner of Nashville's Henrietta Red restaurant, she opened Judith in Sewanee last fall, and it alone is reason enough to visit. But there's more to do, too.'Sewanee's a special place, full of so many wonderful things, including great outdoor pursuits,' she says. 'I'm excited that Judith can add to all the other offerings.' Here are some of Sullivan's favorite spots. 'The thing I do most when I'm not working is spend time outside,' Sullivan says. Located on Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau, Sewanee promises picturesque scenery to swoon over. 'There are state parks surrounding campus, plus so much undeveloped land,' she says. 'And every season has its own different look, but spring is magical.'An avid hiker, Sullivan often explores on foot, naming the Fiery Gizzard Trail a 'can't-miss classic' near the top of her list. It traverses 13 miles total, but features a 2.5-mile loop that leads to multiple refreshing swimming holes, making it a doable day-hike. She also calls out Foster Falls. 'It's a sizeable waterfall worth checking out,' she says. The Sewanee Perimeter Trail is also a must-trek. 'It's gorgeous with great campus and Plateau views,' she says. She recommends stopping at the Sewanee Memorial Cross to take in sweeping vistas. Sullivan's favorite trail is Lost Cove East, a rolling three-mile loop in the woods with a natural rock bridge and beautiful ridge views. She offers one additional piece of outdoor advice. 'At night, don't forget to look up. With so little light pollution, the stars are stunning,' she says. 'I love leaving Judith at night and seeing so many shining so brightly.' Founded in 1857, The University of the South crowns the Cumberland Plateau and is the heart of Sewanee. While home to less than 2,000 students, the campus, called the Domain, spans 13,000 acres, much of it still wild and undeveloped, and the areas where college life unfolds are dotted with Gothic Revival architecture; take it all in with a serene stroll.'The buildings are really beautiful,' Sullivan says. Many are constructed of local sandstone, and All Saint's Chapel is a towering example of the university's aesthetic, including its awe-inspiring stained-glass windows. Inspiring spiritual imagery abounds, but look closely to spy a VW beetle hidden in one of the visual appeal of the campus also attracts artists; it's not uncommon to find local painters set up capturing the chapel and other structures plein air. Pop into Frame Gallery Gifts & Art to see some of their work and that of other area creatives. 735 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37383; 931-598-1000 A cave system called The Caverns invites everyone underground for subterranean discovery, with guided tours daily. Visit its massive main stone 'room' (the size of three football fields) called Big Mouth Cave, and if you're up for more adventure, delve deeper to explore its multiple interconnected passages leading through spectacular ancient rock Big Mouth resonates with big sound. Concerts are regularly held in the space, taking advantage of its powerful prehistoric acoustics; find a list of upcoming shows on its website. 'I've actually not made it to The Caverns yet, but I want too,' Sullivan says. 'I've heard amazing things.' 555 Charlie Roberts Rd, Pelham, TN 37366; 931-516-9724 Right off campus, Sewanee's handful of shops line a few walkable streets. Give The Lemon Fair a look and find paintings from local artists, comfy-chic clothes, and fun accessories. Candles, Christmas décor, plants, throw pillows, lamps, and more make Taylor's Mercantile a treasure trove of gifts–for others or yourself. And in the neighboring small town of Monteagle, search for prized possessions from yesteryear at Oakes & Oliver's Modern Mercantile, a vast repository of vintage pottery, heirloom china, antique furniture, and more. 60 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37375; 10 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37375; 335 W Main St, Monteagle, TN 37356; 931-954-8680 Sullivan points to student-run Stirling's Coffee House, a cute java joint in a sunny yellow cottage on campus, as the some of the best coffee around. While they specialize in house-made syrups (like blackberry, amaretto, and brown sugar) to enliven lattes and other drinks, Sullivan doesn't indulge.'I'm a black coffee girl, but it's great coffee to enjoy black,' she says. Pastries like banana-walnut muffins, and chocolate croissants make perfect coffee partners for a light breakfast, and Sullivan shares her go-to food order, though it's more suited to lunch. 'I almost always get the curry chicken salad sandwich,' she says. 241 Georgia Ave, Sewanee, TN 37375; 931-598-1786 'I love lunch at LUNCH,' says Sullivan, but don't be confused. LUNCH is the name of a Sewanee eatery owned by a university alum and wins Sullivan's favor with it focus on freshness. 'They change the menu weekly and use great seasonal and locally sourced ingredients,' she says. Popular selections include hearty sandwiches on rustic breads and fluffy frittatas, whose filling specifics change daily based on whatever is ripe and ready in the area. And for a sugar fix, 'I love their ginger-molasses cookie,' Sullivan says. She notes the décor—hanging house plants and an eclectic collection of art adorning walls—is sweet too. A seat at laidback hangout Shenanigans also often makes Sullivan's agenda; she suggests the BLAT (the bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato) sandwich, but its pizzas are also popular. 24 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 12595 Sollace M Freeman Hwy, Sewanee, TN 37375; 931-598-5774 On weekends hosting a big university event, the tiny town packs with visitors, who also pack its restaurants. One solution: Make a dinner reservation at Sullivan's new eatery Judith. Fond memories of the town (her dad went to the university) motivated her to choose Sewanee for the spot, and she created the space and its menu of approachable yet creative tavern-like fare with a warm welcome in mind.'I want students, faculty, other residents, and visitors to all feel comfortable here,' she says. Start simple with soft sourdough and chili oil for dipping or tartare with crispy chips before diving into a cheesy smashburger or ribbons of pasta coated in a creamy mushroom-herb skip dessert here: Opt for a swirl of homemade vanilla soft-serve ice cream or a slice of decadent chocolate pie. And after dinner, retire to Oddfellows, a 'hidden' speakeasy that pops up at night in the back of Shenanigans to serve up swanky vibes and classic cocktails. 36 Ball Park Rd, Sewanee, TN 37375; 931-203-2737 Related: The 12 Most Beautiful Places In Tennessee, According To Locals Read the original article on Southern Living
