Creating Balance Through Cooking: Two VEGgies Take on MasterChef
- VEG
- Jun 4
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 6
When Courtney Fraley and Darce Olund started working at VEG Lincoln Park, they knew they were saying yes to their ideal careers in vet nursing. What they didn’t know is that they were also saying yes to a job that supports their lives outside of vet med—and even beyond their wildest imaginations.
Becoming fast friends after starting at VEG within months of each other in 2022, Courtney and Darce first bonded over their love of food and cooking. Courtney is known for her food blog, Faraway Kitchen, where she shares her passion for cooking through mouthwatering vegan recipes, while Darce grew up eating at Michelin starred restaurants and loves to cook as well. Fast forward to August 2024, when Courtney was offered the opportunity to audition for the team season of MasterChef. Not only did she say yes, she asked Darce to be her partner.
“Casting reached out to me through Instagram and without hesitation I went to Darce,” Courtney explained. “I wanted to be on TV together as vet nurses. So I said to her, ‘Something weird is happening. . . . MasterChef called me—want to be my partner?’”
The pair did auditions over video, showing how they’d bring their distinct cooking styles together—since Courtney is vegan and Darce is not—and show the fun and creative side of cooking. Throughout the entire process they kept everything a secret from their fellow Lincoln Park VEGgies. But once it was official and time to pack for filming, it was also time to tell Becky Vaughan, their boss.
“We have the most approachable manager in the whole world,” Courtney said. “If anyone on the nursing staff needs to change something, Becky will make it happen. But internally I was freaking out.”
Darce felt similarly. “I panicked about choosing my job over MasterChef,” she shared. “I would have said no to the show if I couldn’t do both. I was working toward my CVT and had made progress, so I didn’t want to give it up. Now looking back, duh, Becky would say yes!”
Luckily for the two of them, that’s exactly what she said. While they weren’t able to tell Becky exactly which show they were competing on or where in the world they were going, their boss couldn’t have been more supportive. She was truly excited about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore their passions outside of work.
“My initial reaction was sheer excitement for Courtney and Darce,” said Becky. “They were being given an opportunity that couldn't be missed. It is very important to me that our Lincoln Park VEGgies love their jobs and love helping people and their pets when they need it most. But it is equally important that they’re able to live their best lives outside of work supported by a leadership team that values work-life balance.”
Soon Courtney and Darce were battling it out for a white apron on MasterChef with the comfort of knowing their jobs at VEG were safely waiting for their return. But VEG was never far from their minds. In fact, they slipped in VEGisms whenever they could, from mentioning “VEGgies” and saying “We get to do this!” on camera, to wearing matching stethoscopes, to educating cast and crew about emergency and vet nursing. They would also check in on things at Lincoln Park and watch team meetings, and Becky even let them do a few hours of the VEG Cultivate program, which focuses on leveling up nursing skills.
“There wasn't much I could do to support Darce and Courtney during their absence, as they were working under an NDA at the time—so I knew almost nothing!” Becky explained. “We made a plan for how they would choose to use PTO during their absence to cover some of their time off, so I took care of that while they were gone. But ultimately, the fact that I’m not only allowed, but encouraged, to have an ownership mindset in my role fostered my ability to navigate the entire experience smoothly.”
Thanks to VEG’s support for Becky, and in turn, her support for Courtney and Darce, the cooking duo also had a national platform to talk about mental health, something that resonates deeply with both of them since burnout is a major issue in the vet industry.
“It’s easy for people in vet med to think of what they do as who they are,” explained Darce. “It’s important to have a career, but also work for a company that doesn't demand hours you don't have to give. If it’s my day off, no one bothers me.”
Courtney and Darce’s ability to step away, and then seamlessly return to their roles is a testament to how VEG finds a way to say yes. Yes to prioritizing VEGgies' mental health and well-being. Yes to allowing leaders to support their team through whatever circumstances arise. And yes to VEGgies being able to pursue their interests and do the unexpected—both in their roles at VEG and outside of the hospital.
“We love being vet nurses. But we also find so much joy and passion in cooking,” said Courtney. “It’s where we get lost and find the magical parts of life. It’s so important to step away from your job and find your passions.”
