THE VEGAN POTLUCK

Episode 12 features Gary Mead, Jr. of Mead’s Green Door in Old Town Orange. Not to give away the secret (I swear if you take my corner table I’ll find you) but Mead’s is the best hidden gem in SoCal. It’s an eclectic little cafe with a hipster/artsy vibe serving simple yet amazing vegetarian and … Continue reading 12: Mead’s Green Door – Gary Mead, Jr.

Here we go! Episode 11 features the queen of vegan festivals, Jessica Schoech (pronounced “Shay” – weird, I know). Jessica is the founder of the wildly popular and successful Vegan Street Fair and Vegan Street Fair Nights, both in Los Angles, New York, and potentially coming to a city new you! Looking at you, Vegas, … Continue reading 11: Vegan Street Fair – Jessica Schoech

Just in time for the Christmas cookie season, Episode 10 features Robert Petrarca of Maxine’s Heavenly. For now, they’re a clean vegan cookie company that makes incredible soft-baked morsels of joy – trust me, I’ve tried them. We geek out on cookies, cookie variations, and the proper way to eat a cookie. Plus, Robert and I … Continue reading 10: Maxine’s Heavenly

“One part science. One part flavor. One part love.” That’s the secret to baking, according to Episode 9’s guest, Lesli Lonergan, owner and founder of Two Birds Baking Co. Lesli makes the best cupcakes, and they just happen to be vegan (and often gluten-free)! We geek out on baking, the trials and challenges of running … Continue reading 9: Lesli Lonergan

I’ll admit, the last few episodes have featured rather indulgent topics. Episode 8 brings us back into balance with Allison Melody, co-host of the popular podcast, Food Heals Nation. In addition to her own healing journey through food, Allison has interviewed the best and the brightest in the plant-based health and wellness space. We get a bit … Continue reading 8: Allison Melody

Before I tried one of Adam Leach’s croissants, I had come to terms with the fact that I would never enjoy a truly delicious and authentic croissant again. I thought it was just one of those foods that cannot be veganized. Adam, founder and head baker of Ridiculous Baking Company (RBC), proved me wrong. In … Continue reading 7: Ridiculous Baking Company

Let’s talk brownies. In Episode Six we’re taking a deep dive into chocolatey indulgence with the Brownie Man himself, Charlie Fyffe. Charlie’s brownie (and blondie) creations are a staple at Southern California vegfests; vegans and non-vegans alike flock to his booth for his warm brownie sundaes with toppings galore – think rich fudgy brownie topped … Continue reading 6: Charlie’s Brownies

Vegan MacGyver, WokWildside, Plant Alchemy…the many names of the Orange County-based home chef, Ted Lai. Obviously, Ted wears quite a few hats. Outwardly, he is a friendly, normal dad with a full-time job, but peel back that layer and you’ll find a vegan culinary enthusiast and entrepreneur. In Episode 5, Ted and I geek out … Continue reading 5: Ted Lai

Episode Four features the fabulous Rachel Carr, a costume seamstress turned vegan chef and blogger. Rachel’s uniquely non-linear path to working in whole food, plant-based cuisine has led to a plethora of delicious experiences, from taking over several raw vegan restaurants, managing the kitchen at the wildly popular ByChloe, creating her own recipe blog, and … Continue reading 4: Rachel Carr

Time for some balance. In Episode Three, I sit down with Josh Leibowitz at Vibe Organic Kitchen & Juice to obsess over vibrant, healthy, plant-based cuisine. Josh is the founder of this new quick casual eatery in Newport Beach, CA, which focuses on delivering crave-worthy whole food entrees at an affordable price. The menu may … Continue reading 3: Vibe Organic Kitchen & Juice