New haven for VEGANS
Veganism has quickly grown into one of the most popular lifestyle choices around, and for many local vegans and those aspiring to the lifestyle, their choices of finding delicious home-cooked vegan dishes have been limited to a very few places, including the Wild Oats Market in Sedgefield once a week to get their no-meat, no-honey, dairy-free, and egg-free fix.
That is until the sister team of Sandy Hart and Leeanne Greyvenstein decided to “level-up” their stall at Wild Oats and open a full-blown restaurant and deli, henceforth to be known as the Vegan Kitchen, located in the Knysna Mall along Knysna’s main vein, Main Road. “We launched our stall Pack a Punch at the market two years ago after we both found ourselves in Knysna and saw a gap in the vegan market – there were very few choices available for people who live the lifestyle,” Leeanne says. The sisters say they noticed it was extremely difficult for anyone to transition to veganism with so few choices. As their business at the market was showing phenomenal growth, and they had customers who yearned for more, they knew they needed to introduce something new into the mix. “We didn’t only share our passion for veganism with each other but our customers shared it too, and so that lead us to opening the restaurant. Our customers wanted and needed more!”
The opening of Vegan Kitchen was thus the culmination of both their and their customers’ passion and needs, as well as the fact that to find true vegan dishes one has to completely abandon the beaten track.
With Vegan Kitchen, the sister team wants to bring veganism into the mainstream of everyday Knysna life. “Our restaurant and deli is 100% vegan. We want to help people who are as passionate as we are to improve their health and benefit the planet… and if you try it you will most definitely be converted!”
Sandy, a qualified chef herself, says many a meat-eater or plain old vegetarian has been pleasantly surprised by what they find and keep coming back for more. “We serve you a delicious plate of food regardless of what might be on it. Our meals are exceptionally good for you and cruelty-free,” she adds.
So what’s on the menu? Leeanne, an entrepreneur at heart, says she handpicked every item while in Cape Town. “Our ice teas are pure flavour bombs, sugar-free and great for kids, while our pancake stack is a handsdown winner. If you want your head blown off by some spicy goodness you have to try our hot Mexican burrito, and for breakfast lovers we even have a full English breakfast that will satisfy every tastebud.” And don’t forget their signature dish, the bunless gourmet burger tower! The Vegan Kitchen also caters for halaal customers.
The sisters say the new year will herald in some new tasty dishes, but for now their menu is short and sweet.
So, if you need your daily vegan dose, or want to try out a healthy lifestyle change, head over to Vegan Kitchen and see what they have to offer. Also check out their funky website at www.vegankitchen. co.za.