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Interviews
I'd like to start off by asking how you became interested in cooking.
I would occasionally help my mom in the kitchen when I was much younger. However, my solo cooking and baking adventures began around the age of fourteen, when I became vegan. Really, it wasn't so much interest in cooking, as it was purely a necessity at first. But the experimentation quickly became an addiction. The first original recipe that I developed was for Triple Chocolate Cupcakes. A few recipes later, I created the Mocha Devastation Cake, and entered it into a bake-off competition. It won first place, and from there on out, I was hooked!
What made you decide to become a vegan?
As a freshman in high school, I was introduced to a few vegetarians who made some very convincing arguments towards their cause. At first I was just vegetarian, but within a month I dumped the cheese and yogurt for a completely vegan lifestyle. With the animals as my motivation it was surprisingly easy. I haven't regretted that decision once, and am even healthier now for it.
Have you had any former culinary training?
Trial and error has been my best training, so I would have to say that I am a self-taught vegan baker and cook. During the summers I work for Health in a Hurry, which is an organic vegetarian restaurant in Fairfield, Connecticut. It is a small company, so I have received hands on training in various aspects of baking and cooking, far beyond prep work.
Can you give us a brief history of your career to date?
Well, I would have to say that my career is just beginning! As mentioned, I have worked for a vegetarian restaurant in the summers. Aside from this, school, my blog, and developing My Sweet Vegan have been my primary focus. I began Bittersweet Blog in early 2006 to share my crafts, from both baking and knitting. The development of My Sweet Vegan began in early 2007. Since I wanted to handle all of the writing, photography, and recipe creation myself, it has kept me pretty busy.
What is your favorite recipe in My Sweet Vegan?
From My Sweet Vegan, I would have to say the Whoopie Pies because everyone absolutely adores them and they are just wonderful for sharing; the Green Tea Tiramisu because it is positively delicious; and the Pumpkin Pecan Pie because it was my very first pie and is perfect for holiday get-togethers. It is too difficult for me to narrow it down to just one!
 Do you have a favorite book on vegan cooking or baking? A favorite vegan check or baker?
I haven't had the opportunity to try out too many vegan cookbooks, as of yet. However, my copies of Vegan with a Vengeance and Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World have definitely gotten a lot of mileage.
Do you have a mentor or someone that you regard as inspirational to your success?
In terms of baking, Isa Chandra Moskowitz is my idol. Every single recipe that I have made from either of her cookbooks has been amazing. I also adore Anthony Bourdain. He is unapologetically omnivorous, and even makes fun of veganism on occasion. But he is just so passionate about food and what he does, not to mention how enthralling his writing is... I can't help but love him!
What are your plans for the future?
It is hard for me to think past the next year or two, it seems like so much is happening already. I have just started University, and would like to major in Japanese and study abroad in Japan if all works out. My Sweet Vegan II is already underway, and due out in late 2008. I have hundreds of ideas swimming around in my head, so I think that much more recipe creation and food photography is in my future. I would also love to write a crafting book.
Thank you Hannah and much success to you with your studies, your baking. And a special thanks to Alisa Fleming of www.GoDairyFree.org for arranging this interview. VegFamily readers - grab yourself a copy of
My Sweet Vegan: passionate about dessert !
Cynthia Mosher is the Editor of VegFamily, the Magazine for Vegan Family Living. She blogs at WAHM Daily where she shares information and advice about working from home and internet marketing.
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