ADOPTING a plant based diet is one of the best things you can do for the planet, says vegan chef Arianne Schreiber.
A vegan for the past eight years, Arianne says veganism is about being a conscious consumer in a world of over consumption, waste and destructive practices around food.
She walks the talk through her vegan food business, Yummify, which caters for events and retreats, and recently expanded into a weekly market stall at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market.
The Yummify market stall mainly focuses on grab-and-go finger foods, with tasty savoury vegan and gluten-free creations like potato cakes stuffed with vegan cheese and vegies and topped with hummus and sauerkraut, pakoras topped with coconut yoghurt, and hemp kale kofta balls. There are sweet treats like banana muffins stuffed with chocolate and topped with marshmallow, carrot cake and chickpea peanut butter cookies, and a crowd favourite, the hemp shitake buckwheat okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancake) loaded with sweet potato noodles vegetables and sauces.
Arianne also specialises in vegan cheese, with a range that includes hemp parmesan, blue cheese, camembert, goats’ cheese, mozzarella, baked feta and Persian-style feta.
“I like to make everything from scratch as I then I know exactly what is in it and it’s guaranteed to be free from additives and fillers,” Arianne said.
“My fresh produce is bought from the market and local regen farmers. I love going to the farm and know that I’m buying produce that is literally being cut that day and I love supporting the farmers and developing a relationship with the incredible people who grow our food.
“I’m able to design my menu around what is seasonal and then pass on high-quality nutrient dense food to my local community.”
She says there are a lot of misconceptions about vegan food, including that it’s plain, or ‘rabbit food’, or that it doesn’t fill you up or provide enough protein.
“All of these myths have been broken…there are now films showing body builders winning competitions and beating those on omni diets. There’s also a lot of science saying a vegan diet is better for health and longevity.
“Regarding vegan food being boring…I personally think if you love cooking you can cook anything well.
“To me food is art and nature is my palette. There is so much space to be inventive and creative with vegan food and I’m constantly inspired.”
Find Yummify at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market every Friday.