Say Hello to Mr. March… You may have seen his dishes on such shows as Martha Stewart or maybe you saw him as a featured Vegan on the Holistic Cruise that I was a part of as well. If you haven’t heard of him then this is your chance to learn more about this outstanding vegan chef. His food is impeccable and he is teaching the world how to grow their own nutrient packed food to enrich the lives of their families. so without further ado let me introduce you to Mr. March: Chcf Bryant Terry.
Name: Bryant Terry
Where do you live and where are you from? I grew up in Memphis, TN, and I now live in Oakland, California.
Age? 40 Years Old
What do you do for a living/profession? I’m a chef and author of four cookbooks, and I have spent over a decade working to create a healthy, just, and sustainable food system.
What do you like to do for fun? These days, I have the most fun spending time with my 3-year-old daughter.
Why did you become vegan? After hearing the song “beef” by KRS ONE/Boogie Down Productions, I was so repulsed by the way that food corporations treated animals in factory farms. After that I decided to move towards veganism. Soon after, I learned more about the health, economic, and environmental, reasons to choose a vegan diet, and I embraced those as well.
How was your transition? My journey with veganism has not been a linear path. There were times when I went back to eating dairy (when I was studying abroad in France during college it was hard to avoid), and there was a period when I went back to eating fish. But I am very happy at this point in my life maintaining a diet devoid of any animal products; that way of eating feels good to me, it is best for the environment, and it is in line with my values of doing no harm.
What is the funniest misconception(s) that you have heard about vegans? That all vegans are emaciated white folks. Look at me. I have also been actively pushing back against misconceptions about vegan food. Many people think that it is bland and boring, and I am constantly working to debunk that myth with my cookbooks. I also want to make real food the center of the vegan diet. There is a lot of processed, packaged crap that is marketed as vegan. People should avoid that stuff.
What is your Favorite thing(s) about being a vegan? Knowing that my dietary choices don’t harm my health, animals, or the environment.
What do you think makes a Sexy Bad Ass Vegan? See previous answer.
What is the best vegan dish that you make in your kitchen? One of my favorite dishes these days is my Za’atar-Roasted Red Potatoes from my forthcoming book, Afro-Vegan. They are savory, unctuous, and f-ing good!
What is the best Vegan Restaurant you have ever had the pleasure of eating at? Gather in Berkeley, California is not entirely vegan, but they have stellar vegan options.
What advice do you have for those that are thinking of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle? One of the most important lessons that I try to impart is that we need to listen to our bodies. I encourage people to consider the season (eating seasonally is so important), their age, bodily constitution, health status, ancestral foods, and the like when making dietary choices. I keep a food journal a few times a year, documenting what I am eating and how those foods are making me feel. From there I decide what I should continue eating and what I should avoid. Most important, I encourage people to be compassionate towards themselves and not beat themselves up if they don’t “get it right.” We are all on this journey called life and nobody’s perfect.
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Great interview! I haven’t met Mr. March yet, but now I’m going to follow his fabulous journey. Thanks for sharing John!