There's a lot of misconceptions that persist about making the transition toward more plant-based eating, particularly when it comes to ideas around flavour and lifestyle and how to bring your kids into the journey. My guest this week, chef Ed Harris, is here to unpack some of these misconceptions, and provide some ideas to get people inspired.

Hailing from the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, Ed credits his love for great cuisine to his Guyanese upbringing. His passion blossomed in his parent’s kitchen, and ultimately was what drove him to New York City to pursue his career as a professional chef. He served in many roles ranging from executive chef, tournant, expediter, and saucier across some of the finest kitchens, like Jean George, Buddakan and River Cafe. Now with Atlanta as his home base, Chef Ed has launched a line of products through KnifeNSpoon and Flavour Bombe that include specialty spices, vegan recipes, breakfast foods, and cookbooks, in addition to a line of designer aprons. If he isn't crafting a new flavor fusion in the kitchen, at times he can be found behind the camera, as Ed has appeared on several food shows. He was the winner of Food Network's CHOPPED "Turbot Powered" competition and has been on "Beat Bobby Flay", "Chef Wanted" with Anne Burrell, and a few others.

In today’s conversation, we’re exploring some of chef Ed’s work as a consulting chef and the impact he has on shaping restaurant’s menu designs to include more plant based and sustainable options – and some of the considerations within that, such as costing and value, how to reconsider the structure of a plate (like the conventional Western meat and potatoes) to create culturally rooted plant-based dishes where plants take centre stage, and the importance of bringing your kids into the kitchen when making vegetarian foods.

Resources:

Links to the Mauril app & website : Download on iOS | Download on Android | mauril.ca

This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign managed by the agency Podpass for Mauril, developed by CBC/Radio-Canada.