Meet Natalie, Our Chicago City Leader
Natalie is doing the most for animals, serving up delicious plant-based eats and teaching us all how to do it: appearing on TV shows, in the pages of magazines, and in her cookbook Bake and Destroy: Good Food for Bad Vegans (grab a copyon Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Google). She also serves up amazing plant-based recipes and product reviews on her site Bake and Destroy. We love following along on Instagram as she show us the best plant-based treats and eats in Chicago and on all her traveling adventures. We are so excited to have Natalie as our Chicago City Leader and can’t wait for you to get to know this rad individual!
How long have you been plant-based?
20+ years
What made you commit to a plant-based lifestyle?
Compassion for animals.
What are you most looking forward to in the plant-based market?
Seeing more conventional brands offering vegan options.
Which innovations in the plant-based industry interest you most?
Dairy alternatives. Favorites include…
Milk: Oatly
Butter: Miyoko’s Cultured Vegan Butter
Cheese: My all time favorite cheese is a simple, homemade nutritional yeast cheese sauce
Artisanal Cheese: Punk Rawk Labs (R.I.P.)
Cheese Slices: Follow Your Heart American Slices
Cheese Shreds: So Delicious
Sour Cream: Tofutti
Cream Cheese: Kite Hill
Ice Cream: NadaMoo’s Cookies & Cream
Who is the most inspirational plant-based person in your life?
Anne Evers. She went vegan at 96 years old and has a really active Instagram account where she shares her meals, her fitness routine, and spreads a message of compassion. It just goes to show that it’s never too late to change your ways.
Which plant-based product can you not live without?
Silk soy creamer.
What is your best advice for someone who wants to commit to a plant-based lifestyle?
Be patient with yourself and find an experienced vegan who can help you.
Your dream day of plant-based food from anywhere in the World
Breakfast
Almond Croissant at Cloud Cakes
Paris, France
Dinner
Buffet at Hiltl
Zurich, Switzerland
Dessert
Cherry Rosemary Pie at Tinkertown
Atlanta, GA
Your Top 10 Chicago Spots for Plant-Based Eats
Alice & Friends
🍲 100% plant-based restaurant with Asian influenced cuisine.
Upton’s Breakroom
🥪 Attached to the Upton’s Naturals headquarters, serving up delicious plant-based comfort food.
Duck Duck Goat
🥢 Creative Chinese fare with plant-based options.
Moonlighter
Comfort food & late night eats with plant-based options [and a dog friendly patio].
Ground Control
🥪 Plant-based breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert, and drinks.
Eris Cider House & Brewery
🍔🍻 Cider house and brewery with pub style plant-based food options.
Althea
🍽 100% plant-based fine dining and panoramic city views from chef Matthew Kenney.
Handlebar
🌯 100% plant-based comfort food with burgers, sandwiches, hearty soups, and dessert.
Urban Vegan
🍔 100% plant-based semi-sophisticated comfort food.
Paulie Gee’s
🍕 Pizza, beer & cocktails with plant-based options.
Thank you, Natalie, for all that you do for the plant-based community, the animals, and our planet!
Be sure to follow Natalie on Instagram, or head to her websiteto learn more about all she does at Bake and Destroy!