Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Steph.
Hi Chef Steph, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been in this industry since I was young. It all led to me wanting to take it more seriously so did what a lot of others did, I assume who are obsessed with the industry, I went to Culinary School. I had a restaurant back in Albuquerque, NM it was all vegan-based and more comfort food forward. I had started it end of 2019 and then Covid hit which shook us a little. Unfortunately causing us to be out of business and having to reevaluate a lot of choices we decided a move to another city would be our best choice. We knew immediately we wanted to open a place here in Austin it was more of what could we do that would be different. We saw the saturation of comfort food and really thought it would be great to see a more fresh food forward concept. I have always loved working with local business and working as a unit to create something beautiful, so the decision to work with local farmers was always a definite. I want to create food that fuels you, creates an experience, and to bring something new to what is vegan-based cuisine. The concept falls in line with a more upscale/elevated dining experience from a food trailer and reinventing what is to be considered food truck food.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
No, not all covid really took a toll on us but I definitely would have not wanted it to be. All the bumps and mountains I’ve had to overcome and inevitably led me to this moment. To be here in Austin and getting a chance to do something that has the potential to be great.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I specialize in Plant-Based and Vegan Cuisine. We create beautifully plated meals that we aim to be 100% locally sourced. Right now, we are hitting about 95% locally sourced with local farmers and businesses.
I want to create an elevated experience from a food trailer and push above what’s the norm that is offered from them. I also want to encourage all to try and to be a place that all can enjoy. We are not a place solely based for Vegans and there is no growth that way. We love seeing people who have always been intimidated by vegan food try ours and say if they could eat like this everyday, they would be vegan or what we recommend if they are leaning that way. Now that is some beautiful growth.
Not only do we offer our dining experience from our food trailer but also work with local coffee shops to provide breakfast items.
We also provide event and wedding catering.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I have a few other things up my sleeve I’m working on and trying to push forward as other concepts with investors. All I can say is there will be some pretty amazing things soon to come to Austin with the vegan scene.
I want to just feed people great food and a source that fuels the body. Despite all the labels my only hopes for what I do is others can put those labels aside and just try something new. To just appreciate great food for what it is and because what the Chef has to bring to this beautiful industry. I want nothing more than people to have a senses overload when eating my food. For it in a way to transport them to a special memory. Now that is a dream come true for me pushing to make that a reality for others!
Contact Info:
- Email: theforkingvegans@gmail.com
- Website: www.forkingveganatx.com
- Instagram: @the_forkingvegan
- Facebook: /theforkingvegan
