We were lucky enough to (virtually) catch up with the incredibly talented, @ZaccharyBird. He’s a longstanding Bio-lover who loves animals just as much as he loves #PlantBased deliciousness! We spoke about plant-based living + all the ins and outs of his new cookbook, ‘Vegan Junk Food’... we’ve only got 3 words for you: Deep Fried Lasagna 😍 Check out our interview below!
1 .Why did you go plant-based?
I actually went vegetarian when I was about 12 years old and I just never thought about it again. So I was just like a lot of vegetarians, eating nothing but dairy and thinking I was having a really good time. But I actually went plant-based when I started to realise that the dairy and egg industry was just as naughty as the other industries. The quote that sticks with me is: ‘the dairy industry is the meat industry with a couple of extra steps beforehand’, so that’s what really struck me. It wasn’t until someone asked me that I realised I had never articulated it before - so I’m a huge advocate for talking and asking questions.
2. As a longstanding Bio-lover, why do you continue to shop Bio?
I’ve got a lot of positive things to say about MyLife Bio. I’ll always be a diehard Bio fan because you guys were some of the pioneers in getting Vegan cheese into Australia. I suffered for years without options, so I remember BioCheese being that pioneering moment of “OMG, there’s vegan cheese in the supermarket”, and I really love that you guys have continued to innovate. BioCheese really seems to know exactly what I’m looking for, and puts it out on the market before I even know that I want it. I do a lot of Greek cooking and I obviously love your BioCheese Feta, but I’m very excited to try your new BioTzatziki!
3. What’s your favourite Bio product?
The classic cheese is me. I’m all about the Cheddar, just because I’m big on pizza. But I haven’t gotten to try the new ones, so I suspect it may become the BioMarinated.
4. What inspired you to write ‘Vegan Junk Food’?
I’ve been cooking Vegan food for about 5 or 6 years now, and obviously thanks to BioCheese – the food game has developed a lot. But when I started especially, every vegan blogger was just making smoothie bowls, bliss balls and light salads. So I really wanted to put out a book that said, you can choose cruelty free and have your deep fried chicken late at night. You can have whatever you’re craving and there’s a version of it. I love a good Acai bowl, but I think it’s really important that we represent all of these different versions. If someone had told me that deep fried cauliflower could be cooked the same way as chicken, I would think ‘OK, I’m interested in your lifestyle’.
5. What are your top 3 favourite recipes from your book, and why?
Number one would have to be ‘Deep Fried Lasagna’. If I can deep fry it, I will. This dish is also one that hasn’t been done too much, so it’ll knock your socks off and show you how glutinous this book really is.
Number two is the ‘Korean Hot Dog’. It’s crusted in hot chips and then the whole thing is covered in honey mustard, so it’s a real event.
Lastly, I’m going to say my ‘Herb and Cheese Quesadilla’. It’s my favourite childhood dish that my dad liked to make, and I finally got to do a big vegan version for this book so everyone can try it.
6. How does one get their hands on this masterpiece?
It’ll be available in all good bookstores around the world from September 1st - but right now you can exclusively pre-order it on my website here.
7. What can we expect to see next from you?
You can expect from me - sheer stupidity. I recently live streamed myself making Lady Gaga’s dress entirely out of Plant-Based meats (as pictured below). I made a bacon dress, with a sausage handbag and headpiece. So I'm going to be focusing on all the ridiculous things you shouldn’t even touch, I’m going to get real weird.
