VegPlanet — October 2017

B

eing Punjabi, I was raised on a typical heavy

milk diet with the occasional chicken and fi sh.

I loved animals as a child so I used to rescue

and shelter hundreds of dogs as a kid but for the

majority of my teens, I lived in denial about the

righteousness of eating them. On approaching my 18th

birthday, I watched this powerful documentary called

“Cowspiracy” and turned vegan overnight.

I learnt about how our eating choices are one of the

biggest contributors to anthropogenic climate change

and environmental destruction all over. I rapidly also

discovered how unethical and unnecessary it is to kill

the voiceless. It elevated my whole perspective of how

I saw them. Not food, but friends.

And fi nally I discovered about the healing nature of a

plant-based diet. It’s like they say — “You go vegan

for one reason, you stay for a hundred.”

I read loads of studies on how this diet can cure many

of our lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity, heart

disease etc. - without any drugs or surgery - it was like

ONE DIET TO RULE THEM ALL OUT!

My whole family, dozens of friends and relatives went

vegan along the year. My elder sister Deeksha Kalra and

I, met some great partners {Miss. Daisy Pruthi and her

brother Mr. Rajiv Ghai} who shared the same vision as

us and hence the birth of ‘The Vegan Oven’ took place.

The team: Miss. Daisy Pruthi has abundant experience

with vegan food and recipes. She creates great dishes

which replicate and serve as alternatives to dairy

products. My sister Deeksha Kalra has her own event

company so her marketing skills work wonders for us.

Mr. Rajiv Ghai is a well know businessman of Ludhiana

who guides us in the venture.

Our place has an extensive menu of Indian, Italian,

Chinese, Continental, and Mexican. Along with it, we

make bakery items like breads, cakes, desserts. We

have introduced a series of smoothies and energy bars

too, which people love.

Our goal was to provide the same taste as authentic

dishes without the dairy or meat. We have so many

options on our menu from tandoori malai soya chaap

to chilli tofu wraps, even a submarine tikki sandwich

and healthy alpha omega salads. Our mushroom mac

and cheese, choco lava cake and pasta dishes are a

total hit with the people. For the junk food lovers, our

cheesy tortillas are a hot seller.

We wanted to create an atmosphere where anybody

can come in and try the food, enjoy their birthdays, kitty

parties etc. Through our food, we endeavour to change

the perception of veganism all over the country. Our price

range from cakes to a whole meal is very competitive, so

people really don’t feel the diff erence at all. In fact, after

eating the food, when we tell our customers that the food

doesn’t contain any animal, dairy products or animal fat,

their eyes pop out with shock. Many clients love that

the food feels light on the stomach.

Our restaurant is located in a well-known student’s

area at Model town, tuition market. It’s surrounded

by educational institutions and offi ces with youth

all around us. I would like to, as a last note, give a

message to all foodies - Be Vegan Make Peace.

The Vegan Oven

Ludhiana, Punjab

• Bhuvan Kalra, Co-Founder