Kat Smith
As seen in:
The New York Times,
Stuff.co.nz,
Vogue,
Vogue Italia,
One Green Planet,
El Sol de México,
VegNews,
LIVEKINDLY,
Naples Illustrated
Covers:
Veganism, sustainability, food ethics, climate change, animal ethics.
Articles by Kat Smith
Talking Turkey—and Wine | Naples Illustrated
What’s best to pour with turkey and all the trimmings? We turned to an expert, Bruce Nichols, owner of The Wine Store in Naples for advice. “The short answer is almost any wine can work,” he says. “Given the dizzying number of dishes with the cornucopia of flavors on your Thanksgiving table, pairing the perfect wine means just about any wine can work.
Third Street South Farmers Market Goes Prime Time
The ever-popular year-round Third Street South Farmers Market switches to prime time, moving November 19 from the parking lot between Third Street South and Gordon Drive directly onto the street. Every Saturday from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., Third Street South will turn into a festival of fresh produce, flowers, plants, pastas, seafood, baked goods, prepared foods, jams, fresh-roasted coffee, dog treats, handwoven baskets, and more.
How Sweet It Is | Naples Illustrated
Faith, love, and dough proved a winning recipe for Naples native Maria Trupiano, owner of CAK’D, 100% Vegan Gluten-free Dough Bar & Treats in the Trinity Plaza at Ninth Street North and Third Avenue North. When the Barron Collier High School graduate moved near Pittsburgh, she wound up in an abusive relationship. She knew she needed to escape for her own sake and that of her kids.
Vegan Fare with Flair at Lamoraga
When Tom Nütten and J.C. Perez, owner and chef, respectively, of Lamoraga, Naples, were approached about hosting a vegan event, they hesitated. Neither is vegan, and they had little experience. But, after discussing how to create vegan dishes while maintaining the quality and character of Lamoraga, “we accepted the challenge and never looked back,” Nütten says. Perez and Nütten will unveil their newly revamped prix fixe menu for the next Vegan Dinner November 25.
Stone Crab Season is on the Horizon
Signs of fall: more traffic, less heat, early sunsets, and the arrival of South Florida’s famous delicacy, the stone crab. The season kicks off October 15 with the luscious claws showing up on restaurant tables and seafood counters across the area as the surrounding Gulf waters yield a bounty of succulent sea treasure. Celebrate the tasty crustacean at the annual Naples Stone Crab Festival, which hits the waterfront at historic Tin City October 28-30.
Pumpkin Pie in a Glass
Home Food & Drinks Restaurants Pumpkin Pie in a Glass Pumpkin spice Spam, Pringles, or toothpaste anyone? While the monster autumnal flavor trend has spawned such oddball items, the warm, spicy notes do blend harmoniously with ale. At many area breweries, it’s pumpkin time. Read on for a sampling of where to sip the seasonal suds, often served with an optional brown sugar rim. Bone Hook Brewing Co., Naples.
Savor Scampi Alla Scampi at Pazzo! Cucina Italiana
Sometimes, you just crave a classic—like Scampi Alla Scampi, the version of the buttery, garlicky Italian American mainstay at Naples dining landmark Pazzo! Cucina Italiana. Chef Abel Tirado combines seven fresh jumbo Gulf shrimp sautéed in garlic with white wine and lemon, then adds a little oomph with a hint of Meyer lemon and house-made clam stock.
12 Vegan Frozen Desserts to Get You Through Summer
Summer’s heat and humidity may be unbearable at times, but the opportunity to cool down with vegan frozen desserts is one thing that makes us excited about the season. From fruity popsicles to ice cream cones and sandwiches, we love it all. But, truth be told, the freezer aisle is packed with options these days.
24 Vegan Yogurts Even the Most Die-Hard Dairy Fans Will Love
Yogurt is the rushed breakfaster’s best friend: just mix it with a little bit of granola or pair it with a piece of fresh fruit and you’re good to go. It’s also a versatile ingredient that belongs in smoothies just as much as it does in a tangy tzatziki sauce. If you’re on the hunt for vegan yogurt, then look no further. We’ve scoured stores to find 24 options from different brands. What is vegan yogurt?
How America Became a Trash Nation
An 1829 book titled The American Frugal Housewife, written by Lydia Maria Child, provides hundreds of pieces of advice for cooking, cleaning, preserving food, and making the most out of what a family would already have. In the introduction, Child advises her readers: “Nothing should be thrown away so long as it is possible to make use of it.” How far we’ve come from that. Our predecessors lived a somewhat-circular lifestyle not by design, but out of necessity.
The ‘Plant Kween’ Christopher Griffin on Plants, Self-Love, and the Planet
When Christopher Griffin, the creative force and face of the Instagram account “Plant Kween,” first moved into their Brooklyn apartment, they put their phone away, put on some music, sat on the floor, and watched the sunlight as it moved throughout the day. It was so much more than a peaceful experience—they were taking extensive notes about where the sun’s rays landed and already thinking about which plants would thrive in their new space.
The US Is Getting Its First Vegan Cooking Competition TV Series
Between Gordon Ramsay’s nerve-wracking, high-pressure Hell’s Kitchen, the scrappiness and innovation of Chopped, and the absolute wholesomeness of The Great British Bake Off, television cooking competitions have a lot of variety. But, despite their differences, they have one thing in common: they all use animal products. That’s about to change very soon thanks to Peeled, the first plant-based culinary competition show for US broadcast.
Barack Obama Hosts New Netflix Series About National Parks
Former President Barack Obama leads a five-part nature docuseries set to debut on Netflix next month. The 44th president of the US and best-selling author is the narrator and star of Our Great National Parks, an intercontinental trip to conservation areas across the world, from Monterey Bay, California to Tsavo, Kenya.
Natalie Portman Invests in Startup That Spins Plant Meat Like Cotton Candy
A new startup is getting closer to bringing realistic plant-based meat to market, thanks to a recent $12 million investment. The round was led by climate-focused venture capital firm Lowercarbon Capital, plus actor Natalie Portman and others. Boston-based Tender Foods launched in 2020 with a drive to create plant-based meat with a whole-cut texture, like a conventional piece of pork, chicken, or steak.
The Plant-Based Meat Market Is Getting Litigious
Impossible Foods has sued food technology company Motif FoodWorks, claiming that the start-up’s new heme ingredient is too similar to its own. When the Impossible Burger debuted in 2016, headlines were quick to hone in on one detail: it looked, cooked, and tasted like meat. This was all thanks to Impossible’s star ingredient, heme, an iron-rich protein that gives meat its distinct, savory flavor and aroma.
Investors Are in Love With Cultivated Meat and Fermentation
Investments in alternative protein continue to be more popular than ever before. But, the venture capital world is turning its attention to two areas in particular: fermentation, and cultivated meat and seafood. These findings came from the Good Food Institute’s (GFI) latest report, which revealed a record $5 billion invested in alternative proteins overall in 2021, a 60 percent increase from last year.
Kroger and Impossible Foods Team Up to Make Plant-Based Meat
Late last week, supermarket chain Kroger announced its new partnership with plant-based food brand Impossible Foods and Custom Made Meals, LLC, which makes fresh entrees and appetizers for retail. For now, neither company has revealed the specific details about what type of products are in the works. But, what we do know so far (based on what was said at Kroger’s investor day) is that they will be made for the supermarket’s Home Chef brand.
Can Food Giants and Vegan Brands Really Be Friends?
Chilean plant-based food tech company NotCo and food giant Kraft Heinz are joining forces. Their joint venture announced this month will foster the development of co-branded products, but neither company is ready to reveal what that first product will be. (We’ll be holding our breath for vegan Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. It’s not fair that only Australia has it.) For the seven-year-old vegan brand—and for the plant-based food industry—this is a landmark moment.
Is the Plant-Based Vaccine Vegan? No. But You Should Still Get Vaxxed.
The world’s first plant-based vaccine against COVID-19 has been approved for use in adults ages 18 to 64, exclusively in Canada. The vaccine, branded as Covifenz, consists of two doses and is made by Medicago, a Quebec-based privately held company. It also uses an adjuvant—the ingredient in a vaccine that helps improve the immune system’s response—made by the British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline.
This Realistic Vegan Milk Aims to Shake Up the Dairy Aisle
For a few years now, animal-free milk—vegan milk that’s identical to the stuff that comes from a cow—has been the talk of the food tech space. Soon, you’ll actually be able to buy it, thanks to a startup that’s looking to disrupt the milk market and a food technology company that grows dairy-free whey in bioreactors. Betterland Foods, a new food-tech company, will be making its debut at the big Natural Products Expo West trade show in Anaheim, California, this March.
This Realistic Vegan Milk Aims to Shake Up the Dairy Aisle
For a few years now, animal-free milk—vegan milk that’s identical to the stuff that comes from a cow—has been the talk of the food tech space. Soon, you’ll actually be able to buy it, thanks to a startup that’s looking to disrupt the milk market and a food technology company that grows dairy-free whey in bioreactors. Betterland Foods, a new food-tech company, will be making its debut at the big Natural Products Expo West trade show in Anaheim, California, this March.
Leonardo DiCaprio Created the Blueprint for Sustainable Investing
Since the mid-aughts, the line between actors, athletes, and musicians and the venture capital (VC) world has become increasingly blurred. Ashton Kutcher and Shawn Carter (aka Jay-Z) are among the most active celebrity investors, and both of them own their own firms. Katy Perry and rapper Nasir “Nas” Jones (who also owns a VC firm), are shaking up tech startups with their money while tennis superstar Serena Williams launched a firm to focus on uplifting women and BIPOC-owned businesses.
Would You Eat IKEA's 3D-Printed Vegan Meatballs?
Potential tech hires might sit down to an interview over a lunch of 3D-printed vegan meatballs. By Kat Smith | February 8th, 2022 IKEA is courting its new tech department with the allure of developing a more sustainable future…and with a plate of 3D-printed vegan meatballs. Last week, the Swedish furniture giant revealed its new “Taste the Future” recruitment campaign for its technology and data department.
Snoop, Rihanna, and Serena: How Black Investors Are Shaping the Food Industry
Black celebrities like Lewis Hamilton and Jay-Z are increasingly backing plant-based food companies, using their fame and financial power to fuel a sea change in the way we eat. These celebrities’ very visible investments tell a story of the struggle against institutional racism in finance, as well as forecasting a dynamic future of Black impact investing. Black individuals have long been underrepresented in finance.
New Walmart Launch Could Disrupt Super Bowl Chicken Wing Culture
Plant-based food company, LikeMeat, announced that its vegan chicken wings are now available at 3,600 Walmart stores ahead of the big game. By Kat Smith | February 4th, 2022 Tom Brady’s retirement isn’t the only big news from the NFL—and we’re not talking about the will-he-won’t-he retirement of Rob Gronkowski, either. There’s just over a week to go before Super Bowl LVI kicks off at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Vegan Babybel and Laughing Cow Cheese Are Coming to the U.S.
People are passionate—really passionate—about cheese. Humans even invented cheese in a spray can so we can inject it right into our mouths. It’s often the last type of food to go when someone is looking to cut animal products out of their diet. And food scientists have been working diligently in the lab to create dairy-free cheese that can stand up to the kind that comes from a cow. They’re getting closer and closer every month. Now, Bel Group is giving us vegan Babybel and Laughing Cow cheese.
Luxury Carmaker Bentley Is Going All-Electric
The luxury British carmaker aims to be fully electric by 2030. By Kat Smith | January 26th, 2022 Luxury British carmaker Bentley plans to spend $3.4 billion over the next decade to become fully electric by 2030. The multi-billion dollar investment will include a “complete transformation” of Bentley’s manufacturing factory in Crewe, England, the brand said on Wednesday. All Bentley cars are built at the plant, which employs 4,000 workers.
How to Cook Vegan Like Antoni Porowski
Season 6 of Netflix’s Queer Eye has been a ray of sunlight to the masses who have been given the ol’ one-two by dark winter days and social distancing. In case you missed it, the latest season dropped at the end of January. Finally, we could spend the weekend crying over the wholesomeness of the Fab Five giving other peoples’ lives a makeover while wrapped in a blanket burrito on the couch. (Oh boy, did that happen.) Frankly, we could never pick just one favorite out of the Fab Five.
Will EV Charging Stations at Taco Bell Revive the Drive-In Restaurant?
Picture this: it’s late at night, you’ve pulled up to the nearest Taco Bell, and you’re sitting in the driver’s seat of your electric car while it charges. No, this isn’t 1993’s Demolition Man. Electric vehicle (EV) fast-chargers are coming to Live Más land (sorry) soon.
The Smart Tech of the Future Will Take Over Our Lives. We Can't Wait.
From wearable tech for dogs to a bird feeder that tracks migration, CES 2022 showcased smart tech that we 100% want in our lives. In this day and age, it’s not unusual to own wearable tech that monitors your vitals and your movements and then distills everything into data that’s delivered to you on a phone screen.
Can Mercedes-Benz Make the Solar-Powered Car Happen?
Mercedes-Benz hopes to power its new electric car using solar, a boundless but difficult-to-harness renewable energy source for sustainable long-range vehicles. By Kat Smith | January 5th, 2022 Mercedes-Benz is looking to solar energy to power its latest electric vehicle. And, while it’s at it, it’s also making a run for the title of the longest-range EV.
Ed Sheeran Plans to Rewild the UK, Starting With His Yard
Ed Sheeran is being a friend of the environment. The English singer has plans to rewild the UK, beginning at home estate in East Suffolk. By Kat Smith | January 4th, 2022 Ed Sheeran has plans for the environment: he aspires to rewild as much of the UK as possible. The English musician told BBC Radio London late last month: “I’m trying to buy as much land as possible and plant as many trees as possible. I am trying to rewild as much of the UK as I can.
How to Make Wellness Your Most Radical Resolution Yet
From self-care rituals that calm to mindfulness practices, here are five wellness resolutions to bring into the new year. If there’s one thing all of us need going into a new year, it’s a renewed sense of commitment to what matters most: our own wellbeing. “Wellness” may have gained a reputation for being tré woo but in its essence, it refers to the act of tending to your physical and mental health. But what many of us forget is that it’s a job, and one we must take on with intention.
Reflections and Delicious Recipes: What We Can Learn from Japanese New Year
While the New Year in the West often conjures resolutions—or even regrets—the Japanese New Year is rooted in Shinto traditions, not to mention delicious food. Chewy, soft and sweet mochi. Crunchy sauteed lotus root. A fragrant, steaming hot bowl of dashi with deliciously slippery buckwheat noodles. These dishes are both symbolic and tactile reminders of the New Year celebration in Japan, the nation’s most important holiday.
Leo, Jay-Z, and the Rise of the ‘Green’ Celebrity Investor
When did being a celebrity startup investor become such a thing? We’re in an age where it’s normal to see musicians, actors, and athletes names in press releases about the most recent funding round secured by some tech startup. And, it’s been happening in the food tech space, too. Investments in the plant-based food space have grown fast. According to Good Food Institute data, 2020 saw a record $3.1 billion in alternative protein investments.
Supermarkets Gain a Conscience, Ban Amazon-Killing JBS Beef
Sainsbury’s, Carrefour, Lidl, and other supermarket chains are boycotting beef from JBS SA, the world’s largest meat producer. By Kat Smith | December 20th, 2021 Several European supermarket chains have said they will ban Brazilian beef due to its links to illegal Amazon rainforest deforestation.
Soup, Salad, Dinner, and Leftovers: How to Do Christmas Dinner
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And at that, it’s also beginning to look like many of us are going to be celebrating the holidays with scaled-down gatherings in our social bubbles. But what that doesn’t mean is forgoing a feast. So, we’ve gathered together four plant-based recipes for your holiday menu: a salad bursting with wintery flavor, a soul-warming tomato soup, a hearty veggie lasagna, and a Christmas dinner sandwich.
Michelin-Starred Chef José Andrés to Put Cultured Chicken on the Menu
Renowned chef José Andrés plans to serve cultured chicken by San Francisco-based brand GOOD Meat at one of his U.S. restaurants. By Kat Smith | December 15th, 2021 Michelin-starred celebrity chef and humanitarian José Andrés plans to serve cultured chicken at one of his U.S. restaurants. However, when that will happen is not so certain, because the USDA and FDA are still deciding on what to call it.
Four Courses of Holiday Sweets: Aperitif, Appetizer, Main Course, and Dessert
From vegan banana bread bursting with festive flavors to hazelnut brownies, here are four holiday dessert recipes to celebrate the season. In 1984, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers crooned together on their holiday album: “I just have no use for Christmas without you.” We feel that way about a holiday season without sweets. Whether you’ve got a couple of scaled-down parties on your calendar or you’re planning on spending the season at home, it doesn’t feel like ‘tis the season without baked goods.
New California Law Aims to Keep Food Waste Out of the Landfill
A law that requires California residents to separate food waste from their trash aims to reduce the state's methane emissions. By Kat Smith | December 10th, 2021 A state law requires Californians to separate organic matter such as food scraps from the rest of their trash. The recycling program aims to dramatically reduce the amount of compostable waste sent to landfills which, in turn, should help to reduce the state’s methane emissions.
The Best Queso You’ll Ever Make Is Dairy-Free
Nothing brings people together like a warm, spicy cheese dip—aka chile con queso, often simply called just queso. It’s everywhere, from the menus of practically every Tex-Mex restaurant in the country to multinational fast-food chains. These days, however, the holy grail of dips taste just as good made from plant-based ingredients.
The Future of Food: Fungi and Robots Rule
We’ve almost made it through another rough year year, folx. Not to reinforce toxic positivity or anything like that, but there was a lot of news worth celebrating, too. And, while reflecting on 2020, we realized that it’s been a pretty stellar 365 days for food tech. We were spot-on with some of last year’s predictions: vegan chicken is big, plant-based eggs and seafood took the spotlight, fermented protein is becoming the Next Big Thing, and 3D-printed steak is in luxury restaurants.
JBS Plans to Launch Cultured Meat in Europe
Meat giant JBS plans to launch cultured meat in Europe, following a deal with a startup backed by the Spanish government. By Kat Smith | November 30th, 2021 JBS, the world’s biggest meat company, expects to launch cultured protein in the European market as early as 2024.
Thanksgiving Has Always Been About the Sides
The biggest food holiday of the year is almost here, and frankly, we’re excited about it. In fact, we’re going to put out a bold statement and say that fall has all of the best flavors. Butternut squash? Yes. Mashed potatoes? Always, but especially at this time of year. Green beans? A green worth fighting for. Notice something, though? All of these are sides. When you really think about it, sides—and spending time with loved ones—are what Thanksgiving is all about.
Can Black Friday Ever Be Kind?
It was midnight on a Black Friday and I was already eight hours into a shift. I smelled like sugar cookies laced with burnt plastic and my head ached from the overly saccharine scent of maple-roasted pecan and powdered sugar. My hands shook from the three cups of coffee I had already drank to stay awake, and there were still eight hours left to go in the shift. The “Greatest Christmas Hits” played on loop. My headache worsened.
How This Multivitamin For Vegans Can Improve Your Health
If you’re vegan or sometimes plant-based, maybe you’re worried that you’re not getting the right nutrients. You probably already know that you need a vitamin B12 supplement, but the fact is, there’s more to it than that. You can actually get what you need all in one place: Complement Essential, a multivitamin designed for vegans, plant-based eaters, and anyone who’s on the road there. If you’re the latter, know that you don’t have to make this major transition all in one go.
Gifts Even Picky Home Cooks Will Love
Cooking without the right equipment is like trying to make sugar cookies without a rolling pin—it can be pretty dang difficult. So this holiday season, the best gift of all for your foodie friend is most likely going to be a tool that makes their time spent in the kitchen a little easier (and tastier). Not sure what to get for the ones in your life who seem to live in their kitchen? We’ve got you covered.
Whole Foods Now Has a Vegan Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich
Plant-based brands Eat Just and Field Roast teamed up to launch a vegan breakfast sandwich at Whole Foods Market. By Kat Smith | November 12th, 2021 Breakfast sandwiches are a culture. A staple food of commuters. Iconic, even. Few are plant-based. But now, if you’re at one of 500 Whole Foods locations, you might find a new vegan breakfast sandwich in the frozen aisle.
Whole Foods Now Has a Vegan Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich
Breakfast sandwiches are a culture. A staple food of commuters. Iconic, even. Few are plant-based. But now, if you’re at one of 500 Whole Foods locations, you might find a new vegan breakfast sandwich in the frozen aisle. Called the Field Roast Classic Style Sausage, Egg & Cheese Plant-Based Breakfast Sandwich, the name says it all: it has everything you’d expect on a breakfast sandwich, all served on an English muffin.
Hard-Boiled, With Yolk, and... Toastable? The Future of Eggs Is Wild.
Hardboiled, sunnyside up, and even the whole egg, shell and all... Food tech has made strides when it comes to making vegan eggs. At one point, vegan options for eggs looked like tofu scramble, chickpea flour omelettes, and baked goods made with ground-up flax seeds, chia seeds, or fruit puree to bind everything together. But, oh, how the times have changed. Now, we have vegan eggs that come in a bottle and are made from mung bean protein, thanks to California-based food tech Eat Just.
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