The popular plant-based lifestyle known as Veganism has increased in popularity in the black community in recent years. Whereas we have somewhat been conditioned by our heritage to use ingredients in our cooking that are rich in fat, sugar, & cholesterol as well as animal heavy or more carnivorous which has helped to contribute to heavy cases of obesity, diabetes, & high blood pressure perhaps due to income or lack of food reserves, the tides are seemingly beginning to change with more celebrities Praising its benefits such as actor Tobias Truvillon, and Neo-Soul Singer Erica Badu and more vegan Chef’s emerging such as Chef Jenesis Prioleau who are bringing awareness and more clean options to the table. She has created a platform for herself thanks to her appearance on the 9th season of Fox’s very popular cooking competition MasterChef helmed by premiere Chef/ Entrepreneur Gordon Ramsey. Although she did not win the competition, however, she did win the big prize, as she has now positioned herself for greatness and she is taking her rightful place as a Vegan Lifestyle brand & proving that there is more than enough room for her in the space along the way.
How long have you personally been living a Vegan Lifestyle, and what led to your decision?
I have been vegan for 13 years. Thirteen years ago, I was diagnosed with colitis & had difficulty digesting food. It was a life-or-death situation, & I chose life. I changed my diet and have been healthy ever since.
What’s your favorite dish to prepare & enjoy?
I love to cook Asian cuisine, & vegan sushi is one of my favorites to prepare and enjoy. I also love beautifully plating my food, so it is extra pleasing to the eye.
What was your experience like while competing on MasterChef?
My experience on MasterChef was challenging yet transformative. It opened my eyes to new culinary techniques and gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills on a national platform. However, I also faced self-doubt and negative thoughts that impacted my performance on the show.
How were you able to leverage that experience into the Vegan empire you have created today?
After MasterChef, I had to work on positive self-talk and believe that my only competition was myself, everything fell into place, & my creativity started to flourish. I was able to express my love for vegan food through my cooking and started my vegan empire. The journey has had its highs & lows, but I am grateful for every experience and challenge that has helped me grow as a person & chef.
Traditionally, African Americans have been known for Soul Food & Foods rich in fat & sodium as a part of our culture. However, it seems many are embracing the shift toward more Vegan or healthy lifestyles what do you attribute this to?
African Americans have a history of cultivating their own land & crops, but with the transatlantic slave trade, we were forced to survive off scraps. Eating unhealthy foods has become a part of our culture, but I believe we are now awakening and going back to the genesis of eating and growing our vegetation. As more people become educated about the benefits of a plant-based diet, they are making the shift to healthier options.
You recently opened “Believe It…It’s Vegan” restaurant & products. What do you think sets it apart from other similar brands and restaurant offerings such as Slutty Vegan or Tabitha Brown’s vegan line? What else do you have in store in the near future?
Our brand offers customized scratch culinary vegan food. I “veganize” everything I touch, & my focus is on the plating, taste, and art of my food. I am the “Melanated Martha Stewart,” & I bring a unique perspective to vegan cuisine. Soon I plan to expand my brand to reach more people and continue to innovate and create delicious vegan food. One very significant thing that stuck out in my mind about my conversation with Chef Jenesis is when she stated that she had to have positive Self-Talks to get out of her head & no longer self-sabotage after MasterChef ended & once she shifted her mindset that’s when doors of opportunity began to fling wide open for her. It was when she got into proper alignment and started to trust her talent that she got to the place where she was so deservingly meant to be in the Vegan Cuisine & branding space. She was able to see her appearance on the popular cooking show from the right perspective & let it become her launching pad to where she is at present as her own restaurateur & entrepreneur. I also related to her explaining why she switched over to veganism over a decade ago as a result of her health issues with colitis. I have my own gastrointestinal issues & I have been thinking about embracing a similar plant-based lifestyle myself to help turn my conditions around as well, she just might have helped to tip the scales for me to do just that. She is showing that Plant-based options does not mean flavorless, but the exact opposite! She is able to “Veganize” any genre of dish and make it very palatable. As she has inspired me with her story in only this short amount of time in writing this article, I am certain of her ability to impact many others in that same way. If you did indeed feel inspired as I know I surely have been be sure to follow her on Instagram at https://instagram.com/jenesis_cuisine and her website @ www.believeititsvegan.com, you won’t regret it upon doing so. Congratulations on all your present & future success Jenesis Prioleau!
Chefs hat off to you!
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