Mama B making you vegan
Image: Bhavani Baumann, owner of Mama Bs. Image: supplied
Can you still be vegan if you bite your own fingernails? The reason I ask this is because me and a lot of Sydney vegans (and non-vegans for that matter) are currently overly excited as a fabulous new plant-based bistro, Mama B’s is due to open this week, situated inside the Chippo Hotel, Chippendale.
One of the common reactions when I share with people that I’m vegan, is that people say “Oh I’d love to cut out meat/animal products, but I’m such a foodie and I’d hate to restrict my diet”.
However, sausage breath, lemmetellya, those of us who do enjoy a totally plant based diet will unanimously agree there is no way any of us are missing out because there are so many incredible choices on offer! Mama B’s is one a growing number of compassionate cafés and restaurants opening in greater Sydney adding to a spectacular range of cruelty-free food options that are better for health, the planet, sustainability and of course the animals.
Last weekend saw the sprawling Sydney Vegan Markets at The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, a monthly event that is frequented regularly by thousands of plant-based punters; and, when you walk around the many diverse and delicious food stalls, it’s pretty clear nobody’s missing out on anything.
Flexitarians, vegetarians, meat-minimisers or vege-heads, call us what you will, our numbers are undoubtably growing both globally and locally.
I caught up with Bhavani Baumann, the plant-fuelled powerhouse behind Mama B’s (and also vegan success stories Sanga and The Green Lion) to ask why she thinks more and more people are choosing to give animal flesh the flick.
“I think it’s for a few reasons…but sustainability/the planet seems to be the main one. I do a lot of catering for the universities and they have all moved to majority vegan events for this reason. A lot of people have cut down their meat consumption for health as well, so they may not identify as vegan, but would still eat a majorly plant-based diet.”
Okay Bhavan, so, If you wanted to convert someone to a plant based diet, what food would you cook for them?
“Ooh, probably something hearty, homey and delicious like lasagne or a Shepherd’s Pie, followed by one of my Bischoff cheesecake cups. Every Sunday at Mama B’s we will do a Vegan Sunday Roast, everyone seems excited about the Blooming onion (pictured) from our Boozy Foods menu and of course there will be burgers, schnitties and all the regular pub classics as well. Personally, I’m so excited about the Fire pit where we can roast marshmallows and make S’mores!”
So there we have it, winner, winner, veggie-lasagne dinner! The days of suspiciously soggy lettuce passing as a side salad and an overcooked pre-packed parmigiana be gone.
Don’t you be the one to miss out. Mama knows best!
Mama B’S at The Chippo Hotel, 87-91 Abercrombie St, Chippendale
www.instagram.com/mamabsveganpubbistro/
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