Thinking of becoming vegan, or just looking for some extra recipes to spice up mealtime? Is that a yes? Chef Gabriella Budani is offering one-on-one classes at Nourished-On-The-Go, her all vegan take-out restaurant located in downtown Oshawa.
“We have two different types of classes,” says Budani, who trained at Kingston’s St. Lawrence College. “We have private lessons and we have a lecture series, which hasn’t started yet. Our first one will be cooking fast vegan with a microwave, . . . for students or people who live on their own or who don’t have time for something too elaborate. Private lessons, we teach anything you want but vegan style. Lets say lasagne, you wanted to learn how to make it. I can teach you how to do that. A lot of vegans struggle with certain things, they miss something so I can help the transition by making something tastier.”
Taste can be a barrier for those wishing to pursue a vegan lifestyle: taste and convenience. Budani has both covered.
“We are a healthy, vegan, fast food restaurant. I was trying to aim for something in between a pizza place meets M&M Meat shops but for vegans. That was the concept. So we have soups, stews, pastas, wraps, salads, desserts. All vegan. No animal products at all. Everything is made in here (in the kitchen) with a few exceptions. Our mayo is made of macadamia nuts. Our alfredo sauce too,” she says.
Budani says it was her parents’ dietary needs that persuaded her to open the take-out restaurant. They live in North Oshawa. It’s also why she opened up in the city’s downtown, “and it would help this community grow too,” she says.
Nourished-On-The-Go opened November 5, 2014 and it’s the convenience of ready-made take-out that has taken off. Customers come not just for a quick vegan lunch hit but also for everyday use.
“I sell soups and stews frozen so they can heat them up at home. They treat it like a meal service. A lot of people come in and get their food for a week, they throw it in their freezer and they have something ready to go,” she says.
Something nourishing ready to go and ready for you to learn how.