Lisa Dahl: Blessed by Grace Tells the Story of a Mother's Path From Heartbreak to Caring for Others

      Chef Lisa Dahl appears to lead a life that many would envy, running a popular restaurant empire in the breathtaking town of Sedona, Arizona. However, the journey to reach this point is not one that anyone would wish to experience.

      The new documentary, *Lisa Dahl: Blessed By Grace*, depicts her transition from a teenage mother to raising her son, Justin, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Tragically, she lost him when he was killed after intervening to help someone who had been robbed.

      Constantly remembering Justin, she moved from the Bay Area to Sedona, a town famed for its healing properties. When faced with difficulties with her first restaurant, she called out to Justin for guidance, a moment that marked the beginning of a positive change in her business.

      “I have been fortunate to discover my purpose in cooking and providing comfort to those in need,” Dahl says. “While I would not wish the loss of a child on anyone, sometimes we can find a silver lining by serving others.”

      Her success in business enabled her to establish the Lisa Dahl Foundation, which offers healthy and nourishing meals to those in need.

      The documentary *Lisa Dahl: Blessed By Grace* will be screened this weekend at Indy Shorts in Indianapolis, where Dahl was raised and where she returns for the screening of this beautifully crafted film. This city is also home to one of the film’s producers, Amy Pauszek, who first met Dahl at the Sedona International Film Festival in 2018.

      Dahl has a strong connection to the Sedona festival—its latest edition featured an exquisite dinner at her flagship restaurant, Mariposa, a luxurious Latin-inspired venue with breathtaking views. Her other establishments include Dahl & Di Luca, Butterfly Burger, Pisa Lisa, and Cucina Rustica.

      “I was struck by Lisa’s impactful story about her son Justin, who is honored in each of her restaurants,” says Pauszek. “I realized there was a narrative to be shared, and Lisa and I immediately connected as if we were sisters and kindred spirits. It felt like divine intervention, and we are now on a journey to share Lisa’s story while also helping her foundation achieve worldwide success.”

      Dahl was initially hesitant about being the focus of a film.

      “Pat Schweiss, the director of the Sedona International Film Festival, wanted to connect me with other filmmakers, but at that time and given the sensitivity of the subject, it wasn't something I was pursuing,” Dahl explains.

      However, this changed when she encountered filmmaker Eric Wolfinger and started collaborating with him on a culinary project. He later took the role of director for *Lisa Dahl: Blessed by Grace*.

      “Fate and the opportunity to work with Eric, along with the evolution of the original idea, aligned perfectly, and the project took on a life of its own,” Dahl reflects.

      Opening up was challenging for Dahl, but it provided her a chance to share her experiences with the patrons who frequented her restaurants for years without knowing her entire story.

      “The process was so emotionally taxing that I found myself crying and wiping my tears throughout the interviews,” she recalls. “Despite the pain, it was therapeutic to share a glimpse of my son’s tragic loss and his brave act as a Good Samaritan with many who knew me but not Justin—not truly.”

      Dahl enjoys hiking in Sedona with her dog.

      Pauszek notes that Dahl’s remarkable determination and grace made her a natural choice for a documentary.

      “Meeting Lisa Dahl is an immediate experience of her charm, positive spirit, and deep-rooted culinary knowledge,” Pauszek shares. “I’ve attended all her restaurants, and they all feel like home. Justin is always remembered there. People are drawn to Lisa—she’s a philanthropist with a heart of gold. I’ve never encountered anyone quite like her because she makes everyone feel like family, including her 300-plus employees who admire her.”

      The film also highlights the meticulous attention to detail involved in operating a high-end restaurant, featuring scenes where Dahl personally visits farm suppliers to examine the ingredients for her dishes.

      “Every dish at her restaurants is crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. She stands out because of her commitment to giving back to her community and caring for others’ well-being,” Pauszek adds.

      Despite her initial hesitance, Dahl is grateful that she shared her story and eventually became an executive producer of the film.

      “There are truly no words to convey the vulnerability and significance I felt while revisiting the past that I had concealed beneath layers of creative expression to shield myself from reliving the profound grief I had buried,” she states.

      “My aspiration has always been to reach others through my love for my son and his love for me—to assist those facing what we, as parents, know to be the most unimaginable loss,” she shares.

      Reflecting on the children they have lost, she adds: “They are not gone. They watch over us, guiding us on a spiritual and sensory level. They will