Eco-chef Bryant Terry brings his soul food to Portland

SPACE Gallery in downtown Portland was packed last night for the Food+Farm talk and cooking demo by eco-chef and food activist Bryant Terry. He hails from Oakland, CA, but grew up in Memphis, TN. When he was a child, Terry's grandparents cultivated huge gardens in their backyards and used the bounty to cook southern soul food, which Terry described to us as much more plant-based than popular culture makes it out to be.

Today he teaches low-income kids how to cook and eat nutrient dense plant-based meals. He's also the author of "Vegan Soul Kitchen" and "Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen" (with Anna Lappé). While he talked he showed us how to prepare Citrus Swiss Chard with Raisin Redux.

Many of us had tried the tasty dish prior to his talk. Hanifa Washington and Jonah Fertig of Local Sprouts Co-Operative Catering cooked up a delicious vegan dinner using Bryant Terry's recipes and food from nearby farms. It was a bargain at $10 a plate.

The Johnny Blaze Cakes with Rhubarb Hot Pepper Jam (made from rhubarb picked on Munjoy Hill) were a big hit, and everything had great flavor and color. Bryant Terry gave an entertaining talk, where he not only cooked but delivered part of KRS-One's rap "Beef." It was a fun and filling evening.

As Oprah goes ...

Yup, it's official. Veganism has hit the mainstream. As part of her quest to become more spiritually connected, cultural leader Oprah Winfrey is embarking on a 21-day vegan diet (which also steers clear of caffeine, sugar, alcohol and gluten). On her blog, she writes: "I never imagined meatless meals could be so satisfying."

If Oprah's feeling the vegan love, it's bound to start sweeping the nation. (Quick buy stock in tofu!)

With this tidbit in the news, what are the chances that we'll be able to score a table at Green Elephant tonight? I'm calling right now!

UPDATE: Just called Green Elephant. It's only 6:15 pm and they're already full. (And they have a waiting list.) They don't take reservations. Looks like Portland needs some more vegan joints ...

Is Megan the cutest vegan alive?

She looks like a cutie to me, so she's got my vote. Cast your vote for Megan from South Paris, ME in PETA's Cutest Vegetarian Alive contest.