Meet: Mitch Lee | Heura Foods
I first wrote about Mitch back when Vegan Living magazine was alive and living - it still saddens me that this inspiring, well produced magazine joined many others in Great Magazine Heaven but that’s the way of print media. Cherish the mags on the shelves, they won’t be there forever!
In what has to be the greatest vegan awakening moment of all time, Mitch’s wife Shirin went vegan in a steakhouse. Mitch soon joined his lovely wife and together they launched vegan frozen meal delivery business, Mitch’s Kitchen, which was fantastic and delicious but sadly did not survive the perils of lockdown. Now, Mitch is working at Heura Foods as the British Community Builder, which entails enlightening Brits about this Barcelona-based brand bringing Mediterranean inspired ‘meat successors’ to our shores. Heura call their 100% plant based products ‘meat for the 21st century’ and I love that ethos. Who needs meat from animals when meat from peas tastes this good?
Here’s our Vegan Living feature to whet your appetite…
So, meet Mitch! His dream dinner party menu has me drooling - he’s definitely given me ideas for my next jamboree.
Q - Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
A - Food is such a passion for me that a dream dinner party would have to be a mix of people who were very into their food - but obviously fun to be around too! My wife Shirin would have to be the first guest as food has always been a big part of our relationship and we even ran a food business together for a few years (Mitch’s Kitchen). I’d love to include a few celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay and of course some vegan chefs like Derek Sarno and School Night Vegan who always share the most delicious foods. I also feel like Joaquin Phoenix, Lewis Hamilton and Leonardo Di-Caprio would be incredible to speak with as they are all such powerful voices in the fight for climate and the animals.
Q - What would you serve at this VIP (Vegan Important People) dinner party of dreams?
A - We would have to start with some delicious canapes or nibbles (with some nice drinks of course). For me nothing beats a blini topped with macadamia ricotta and carrot salmon - it’s my favourite party snack and always goes down a treat. For the main course I like to have variety so I feel it would be more like a buffet than a sit down dinner - very casual and informal, allowing people to mingle and move about. I’d love a nice selection of fresh salads - you can’t beat a Greek salad and the vegan feta available is now fantastic too, plus of course a classic caesar with the Heura ‘chicken’ chunks which are out of this world. I love all cuisines but I feel a bbq style buffet would be great, delicious plant based burgers (the way that both NEAT and The Vurger Co do them) but using the Heura burger which is one of the healthiest and tastiest options. Sides would also include chips (skin on and plenty of vegan mayo and ketchup to dip), coleslaw and corn on the cob. Then for dessert, it’s gotta be a vegan banoffee pie, plus a selection of ice creams… We’d probably need either coffee or a nap after all that!
Q - What do you wish people knew about veganism?
A - That it’s all about progress not perfection. You don’t have to be a ‘perfect’ vegan to make a difference. Start small, focus on what you can have, not what you can no longer eat - although nowadays there are vegan alternatives for literally everything so there really is no excuse not to give it a go. Also that not all vegans are preachy angry activists, often we’re just people who are trying to do their part to save the planet, the animals and live a healthy life.
Q - What does veganism mean to you?
A - Trying to do my part to make a difference, however small that may be. If I can have friends round who enjoy my cooking and that inspires them to go meat-free one day a week, that’s a win. I’m a conscious consumer, looking for ways to make better decisions that have less impact on our planet, resources and animals. If I am buying a new pair of shoes, I’ll make sure they aren’t leather. Cleaning products, shower gels - all vegan. It’s about caring enough because of the bigger picture.
Q - Is there anything you dislike about being vegan?
A - Having to get up at 4am to milk the oats… No definitely not! I’m vegan and gluten free so it means needing to plan or being prepared when travelling or eating out. But that’s a small price to pay. Currently vegan products are far more expensive but that’s mainly because of volumes of products being produced, or companies choosing more ethical practices and materials which in turn cost more - but in time I see these prices coming down so no, I love being vegan.
Q - Have you ever questioned your decision?
A - Never.
Q - Are you aware of any others going vegan or eating fewer animal products inspired by you?
A - I remember working at vegan restaurant Offbeet and having people regularly say 'you don't look like a vegan' or ask lots of questions about my diet, training or the food we were serving. I think the most impact you can have is just by showing people through food or your actions that they aren't missing out. Don't focus on what you can't have, just look at how amazing the food you can make is and don't worry if you still fancy a bit of cheese or meat, any reduction is a positive! With Mitch's Kitchen we made healthy, convenient and delicious food that happened to be plant-based. Our parents would regularly eat this and they have definitely reduced the amount of meat they have in their diet because of us. I have also found over the years that people come to me with questions on diet, recipes, vegan swaps or just to talk about food which of course I am more than happy to do!
Thank you Mitch! Stay up to date with Heura’s Great British takeover on Instagram here. Visit their website here. Hit Mitch up on LinkedIn here.