by Shriya Swaminathan
Like many vegan-skeptic chefs, Chef Robyn Almodovar was all too happy to joke about feeding her plant-based customers an exquisite plate of “rabbit food.” Little did our chef know that her mission for a sustainable world would motivate her to elevate this “rabbit food” to be the champion of the dishes she would then create. All it took was a proposition to work with three clean, simple ingredients to feed the People And Our World (PAOW!)- soy, water, and salt. Chef Robyn was emphatically up for this plant-powered challenge. “As a culinarian, I always wanted to learn new things. What I love about PAOW! is that it has the cleanest label among the plant-based meat replacements- just 3, easily pronounceable ingredients and delivers versatility like no other!” she says.
It wasn’t long before Chef Robyn converted her kitchen to a chemistry laboratory- putting her culinary skills to the test. By playing around with different temperatures, pressures, and techniques to prepare the humble vegetables, she became amazed at how a former side-dish evolved into the star of the plate. Soon after, Chef Robyn connected with the plant-based ethic for the well-being of our planet and the animals, and committed to embracing a plant-forward lifestyle while educating corporate colleagues and changing public minds by nourishing them with delicious, affordable plant-based meals.
“My vision for the future of our food system is one of self-sufficiency and sustainability. That entails a transition to a plant-rich diet. Our products help ease that transition by assuring people that they don’t have to compromise on the familiar flavors and textures they know and love!” enthuses Chef Robyn. From chef-style cuts and burger patties to a variety of flavored pieces (think favorites like Italian sausage and pepperoni), PAOW!’s product line expertly caters to chefs and home cooks alike! The simple formulation does not hinder the endless possibilities of sautéed, grilled, baked, sous-vide, boiled, and fried foods. Get ready to PAOWer up some fabulous dishes- your peers won’t even miss the animal products!
The PAOW! squad is ecstatic to showcase their innovative creations in this year’s much-anticipated SEED Food and Wine Festival– the nation’s premier plant-based food, wine, and wellness experience, hosted in Miami, Florida. Guests are in for a phenomenal treat at the festival’s tasting event where Chef Robyn will serve her famous empanadas showcasing diverse flavors from India, Korea, Puerto Rico, and more. Stay tuned for PAOW! wowing the crowd at the festival’s Burger Battle where their version of the local favorite Cuban-Miami Frita Burger seeks to pay homage to the Cuban inspiration to Miami’s food culture!
Chef Robyn is a living testament to the fact that recreating cultural favorites that relied on animal products is no longer a stressful feat. All it requires is an ounce of creativity, the will to learn, a passion for a better world, and of course- a sprinkle of plant power.
PAOW! currently works with restaurants, hospitals, universities and colleges, and foodservice. They plan to expand into retail in January 2022. In the meanwhile, Vegan Essentials has got you covered on all things PAOW!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shriya is a VEGWORLD writer and Founder of Nourish by Shriya– her Vegan Hospitality Consulting Service that helps local St. Louis businesses attract vegan customers. She is a mentor with Animal Activism Mentorship, enjoys volunteering at The Gentle Barn in Missouri, and currently lives in St. Louis with her rescued pooch Halley.
