Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:02,035 --> 00:00:02,068
(U
2
00:00:02,068 --> 00:00:02,102
(Upb
3
00:00:02,102 --> 00:00:02,135
(Upbea
4
00:00:02,135 --> 00:00:02,168
(Upbeat
5
00:00:02,168 --> 00:00:02,202
(Upbeat in
6
00:00:02,202 --> 00:00:02,235
(Upbeat inst
7
00:00:02,235 --> 00:00:02,268
(Upbeat instru
8
00:00:02,268 --> 00:00:02,302
(Upbeat instrume
9
00:00:02,302 --> 00:00:02,335
(Upbeat instrument
10
00:00:02,335 --> 00:00:02,369
(Upbeat instrumental
11
00:00:02,369 --> 00:00:02,402
(Upbeat instrumental f
12
00:00:02,402 --> 00:00:02,435
(Upbeat instrumental flo
13
00:00:02,435 --> 00:00:02,469
(Upbeat instrumental flour
14
00:00:02,469 --> 00:00:02,502
(Upbeat instrumental flouris
15
00:00:02,502 --> 00:00:03,870
(Upbeat instrumental flourish)
16
00:00:04,938 --> 00:00:07,807
(Dynamic instrumental music)
17
00:00:07,907 --> 00:00:12,245
♪
18
00:00:12,345 --> 00:00:14,647
MENA MASSOUD:
Los Angeles!
19
00:00:14,748 --> 00:00:16,683
Like a lot of people
in showbiz,
20
00:00:16,783 --> 00:00:19,719
this city has
a special place in my heart.
21
00:00:19,819 --> 00:00:22,589
In 2017,
I took a massive risk
22
00:00:22,689 --> 00:00:25,492
and left everything behind
in Toronto to move here.
23
00:00:25,592 --> 00:00:28,528
With barely any money, I rented
a closet inside a house
24
00:00:28,628 --> 00:00:30,830
in West Hollywood
and continued the hustle
25
00:00:30,930 --> 00:00:33,500
I started in theatre school.
26
00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:37,404
I embraced the city
and fell in love with it.
27
00:00:37,504 --> 00:00:40,573
That same year I landed one of
the biggest roles of my career,
28
00:00:40,673 --> 00:00:42,642
and I've been fortunate enough
29
00:00:42,742 --> 00:00:45,445
to work with some of
the best in the biz ever since.
30
00:00:45,545 --> 00:00:47,013
♪
31
00:00:47,113 --> 00:00:51,251
LA is one of the most
fascinating places on earth,
32
00:00:51,351 --> 00:00:53,720
but not everyone gets
what really makes it different.
33
00:00:53,820 --> 00:00:56,689
Sure, there's the movies
and the beautiful people
34
00:00:56,790 --> 00:00:58,058
and the muscle beaches...
35
00:00:58,158 --> 00:01:00,527
...but really,
it's a city primed
36
00:01:00,627 --> 00:01:03,263
for dreaming big
and taking risks.
37
00:01:03,363 --> 00:01:05,598
And there's money--
lots of money--
38
00:01:05,698 --> 00:01:08,568
which opens the door
for restaurateurs
39
00:01:08,668 --> 00:01:11,404
and businesses
to innovate and explode.
40
00:01:11,504 --> 00:01:13,706
Cali sets the trends.
41
00:01:13,807 --> 00:01:16,609
And the plant-based food scene
is no exception.
42
00:01:16,709 --> 00:01:18,545
And it's got roots here.
43
00:01:18,645 --> 00:01:23,049
The first vegan society in
the US was founded here in 1948.
44
00:01:23,149 --> 00:01:25,585
So get ready
to go LA restaurant hopping
45
00:01:25,685 --> 00:01:27,554
in a way you never imagined.
46
00:01:27,654 --> 00:01:33,726
♪
47
00:01:33,827 --> 00:01:35,829
I'm Mena Massoud.
48
00:01:35,929 --> 00:01:38,798
I'm travelling
across North America
49
00:01:38,898 --> 00:01:41,301
and eating my way through
some of the coolest cities
50
00:01:41,401 --> 00:01:44,270
to show you how beautiful meals,
51
00:01:44,370 --> 00:01:47,407
talented chefs
and restaurateurs
52
00:01:47,507 --> 00:01:51,744
are making plant-based living
delicious and attainable.
53
00:01:51,845 --> 00:01:58,651
So join me as I show you
how the world is evolving vegan.
54
00:01:58,751 --> 00:02:05,725
♪
55
00:02:05,825 --> 00:02:07,227
Lilly Singh.
56
00:02:07,327 --> 00:02:08,561
Superwoman!
57
00:02:08,661 --> 00:02:12,465
A YouTube and IG megastar turned
talk show host and actor--
58
00:02:12,565 --> 00:02:13,833
also a good friend.
59
00:02:13,933 --> 00:02:15,034
A fellow
Toronto kid
60
00:02:15,135 --> 00:02:17,537
making her way in LA
and absolutely killing it.
61
00:02:17,637 --> 00:02:19,339
Lilly and I are East Coast/
West Coast transplants,
62
00:02:19,439 --> 00:02:21,674
which is fitting cause
we're starting this tour
63
00:02:21,774 --> 00:02:26,045
by smashing an East Coast fave
in West Coast style.
64
00:02:26,146 --> 00:02:28,314
In LA, that means Maciel's--
a vegan deli, naturally.
65
00:02:28,414 --> 00:02:29,315
Oh, my god.
66
00:02:29,415 --> 00:02:31,017
Chivalry is not dead.
Thank you.
67
00:02:31,117 --> 00:02:32,652
It is not,
it is not.
68
00:02:32,752 --> 00:02:33,653
Hello.
Welcome!
69
00:02:33,753 --> 00:02:34,654
How you doing?
Joe?
70
00:02:34,754 --> 00:02:35,855
Joe, yes.
71
00:02:35,955 --> 00:02:37,724
Mena-- nice to meet you.
Maciel, nice to meet you.
72
00:02:37,824 --> 00:02:38,725
Hi, I'm Lilly.
JOE:
Hey, Lilly.
73
00:02:38,825 --> 00:02:39,726
Nice to meet you.
74
00:02:39,826 --> 00:02:41,094
Did you match the--
75
00:02:41,194 --> 00:02:42,128
JOE: Oh nice.
76
00:02:42,228 --> 00:02:44,631
No, I did not.
Um... I did not.
77
00:02:44,731 --> 00:02:46,633
You're matching the restaurants?
Oh, my god!
78
00:02:46,733 --> 00:02:48,635
It just happened
to be like this.
79
00:02:48,735 --> 00:02:50,336
I think it's meant
to be.
80
00:02:50,436 --> 00:02:53,139
Maciel, you have
a really interesting story
81
00:02:53,239 --> 00:02:54,741
because you have, like,
82
00:02:54,841 --> 00:02:57,076
a PhD and a doctorate
in medical sciences.
83
00:02:57,177 --> 00:02:58,077
Yes.
84
00:02:58,178 --> 00:02:59,646
Why a vegan butcher shop?
85
00:02:59,746 --> 00:03:01,181
(Laughing)
86
00:03:01,281 --> 00:03:05,151
Because I didn't want
to do science anymore,
87
00:03:05,251 --> 00:03:07,420
but, you know,
this shop is a combination
88
00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:11,558
of all the things that I love,
which is also healthy cooking.
89
00:03:11,658 --> 00:03:13,092
JOE:
We wanted to basically
90
00:03:13,193 --> 00:03:14,928
kind of marry two things:
91
00:03:15,028 --> 00:03:17,664
a New York deli-- plant-based...
92
00:03:17,764 --> 00:03:18,765
MENA: Yeah.
93
00:03:18,865 --> 00:03:21,501
...with Maciel's delicious
Mexican cooking.
94
00:03:21,601 --> 00:03:22,502
Nice.
95
00:03:22,602 --> 00:03:25,538
So classic New York style deli,
96
00:03:25,638 --> 00:03:28,041
plant-based
with a Mexican twist.
97
00:03:28,141 --> 00:03:29,342
I mean,
we should have--
98
00:03:29,442 --> 00:03:30,944
They're all
of my favourite words.
99
00:03:31,044 --> 00:03:32,512
Let's go eat!
Let's go eat!
100
00:03:32,612 --> 00:03:33,947
You really are matching
the look of this.
101
00:03:34,047 --> 00:03:35,114
I know.
It's like the exact colour.
102
00:03:35,215 --> 00:03:36,115
Literally.
103
00:03:36,216 --> 00:03:37,517
It's crazy.
104
00:03:37,617 --> 00:03:41,020
Maciel and Joe started the first
plant-based butcher and deli
105
00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:43,723
in LA, creating
healthy vegan foods for all
106
00:03:43,823 --> 00:03:47,193
and a dream
of pastrami sandwiches.
107
00:03:47,293 --> 00:03:50,129
JOE: I always loved a Reuben,
a good Reuben.
108
00:03:50,230 --> 00:03:52,265
You can't have a Reuben
without Thousand Island.
109
00:03:52,365 --> 00:03:53,433
Of course.
110
00:03:53,533 --> 00:03:55,935
You can't have a Reuben
without rye bread.
111
00:03:56,035 --> 00:03:57,470
Which I already know is
your favourite thing.
112
00:03:57,570 --> 00:03:58,638
You love bread.
113
00:03:58,738 --> 00:04:00,907
I do, I love bread,
but also, I was going to say,
114
00:04:01,007 --> 00:04:02,242
I could bathe in that.
115
00:04:02,342 --> 00:04:03,643
Like, I also love
Thousand Island,
116
00:04:03,743 --> 00:04:04,811
so I'm here for this.
117
00:04:04,911 --> 00:04:06,879
MENA:
The pastrami is made in-house
118
00:04:06,980 --> 00:04:08,214
with minimal ingredients--
119
00:04:08,314 --> 00:04:09,382
an alternative
120
00:04:09,482 --> 00:04:11,718
to the over-processed
veggie meats out there.
121
00:04:11,818 --> 00:04:14,153
So how many ingredients are in
this right here, would you say?
122
00:04:14,254 --> 00:04:15,855
It's cannellini beans,
123
00:04:15,955 --> 00:04:19,259
it's wheat protein,
and it's spices.
124
00:04:19,359 --> 00:04:21,594
MENA:
Simple but delicious.
125
00:04:21,694 --> 00:04:23,096
Okay, time to work.
126
00:04:23,196 --> 00:04:24,597
Lilly, butter the bread with me.
127
00:04:24,697 --> 00:04:25,965
You want me to butter it
with you?
128
00:04:26,065 --> 00:04:26,966
You can butter
a slice.
129
00:04:27,066 --> 00:04:27,967
Okay, I'll butter a slice.
130
00:04:28,067 --> 00:04:28,968
MENA: Too much butter?
131
00:04:29,068 --> 00:04:30,436
There's never too much butter.
132
00:04:30,536 --> 00:04:31,671
MENA:
You love bread.
133
00:04:31,771 --> 00:04:32,672
I do--
who doesn't love bread?
134
00:04:32,772 --> 00:04:36,342
Alright, so throw
them back here.
135
00:04:36,442 --> 00:04:37,510
He said throw them.
136
00:04:37,610 --> 00:04:38,511
With the assist---
here we go!
137
00:04:38,611 --> 00:04:39,512
Okay, yes!
138
00:04:39,612 --> 00:04:42,982
Boom!
Alright!
There we go!
139
00:04:43,082 --> 00:04:44,984
So, then the next thing is
to make some hot pastrami.
140
00:04:45,084 --> 00:04:46,853
Take the whole thing
and throw it down.
141
00:04:46,953 --> 00:04:47,854
Really?
Yeah.
142
00:04:47,954 --> 00:04:49,689
MENA: There we go.
JOE: There ya go.
143
00:04:49,789 --> 00:04:51,624
I can't get over
how much it looks like pastrami.
144
00:04:51,724 --> 00:04:53,092
I mean, the colour
is spot on.
145
00:04:53,192 --> 00:04:54,961
LILLY: It's another thing
you're matching.
146
00:04:55,061 --> 00:04:56,162
It does look like
my shirt.
147
00:04:56,262 --> 00:04:57,330
Yeah.
148
00:04:57,430 --> 00:05:00,133
It does. And do both sides
with the sauce?
149
00:05:00,233 --> 00:05:01,968
Yeah, oh, yeah.
MENA: Ohh!
150
00:05:02,068 --> 00:05:03,369
You know a lot
of stuff.
151
00:05:03,469 --> 00:05:05,538
I know a lot of stuff
about vegan food.
152
00:05:05,638 --> 00:05:06,673
Very impressed.
I'm very impressed.
153
00:05:06,773 --> 00:05:07,674
Thank you.
154
00:05:07,774 --> 00:05:09,509
Whoosh!
155
00:05:09,609 --> 00:05:11,144
JOE: I'm gonna
throw yours there.
156
00:05:11,244 --> 00:05:13,379
That's very good. That's
actually a nice technique.
157
00:05:13,479 --> 00:05:14,881
Oh, we're supposed
to be all--
158
00:05:14,981 --> 00:05:16,349
Nice technique.
Yeah, I should have told you.
159
00:05:16,449 --> 00:05:18,351
You will be over here
and you'll say:
160
00:05:18,451 --> 00:05:19,452
Ready for a Reuben!
161
00:05:19,552 --> 00:05:20,553
Ready for a Reuben!
162
00:05:20,653 --> 00:05:22,055
And then,
you'll go: Reuben.
163
00:05:22,155 --> 00:05:23,389
LILLY:
Ready for a Reuben!
164
00:05:23,489 --> 00:05:24,457
Ah, one Reuben up!
165
00:05:24,557 --> 00:05:26,559
Hot jambalaya!
166
00:05:26,659 --> 00:05:28,027
LILLY: Yes!
MENA: All right!
167
00:05:28,127 --> 00:05:29,362
Grab the sauer,
grab a handful of sauerkraut
168
00:05:29,462 --> 00:05:30,363
and squeeze it.
169
00:05:30,463 --> 00:05:31,564
But not too much.
170
00:05:31,664 --> 00:05:34,400
You want a little juice
but not a ton of juice.
171
00:05:34,500 --> 00:05:35,401
I squeeze what?
172
00:05:35,501 --> 00:05:36,536
Get in there.
173
00:05:36,636 --> 00:05:38,004
LILLY: Oh, wow.
I can do that, okay.
174
00:05:38,104 --> 00:05:39,472
Here, squeeze.
175
00:05:39,572 --> 00:05:40,807
Dramatic height
to squeeze from.
176
00:05:40,907 --> 00:05:42,842
MENA: That's a lot
of sauerkraut.
177
00:05:42,942 --> 00:05:43,943
That's not even half of
178
00:05:44,043 --> 00:05:45,345
what you should
put on there.
Oh, my--
179
00:05:45,445 --> 00:05:47,246
There's gonna be
so much gas.
180
00:05:47,347 --> 00:05:48,247
Awkward.
181
00:05:48,348 --> 00:05:49,816
Oh, there ya go.
There you go.
182
00:05:49,916 --> 00:05:51,718
MENA:
It's satisfying.
183
00:05:51,818 --> 00:05:53,152
LILLY:
Very therapeutic.
184
00:05:53,252 --> 00:05:54,153
I must say,
it's very therapeutic.
185
00:05:54,253 --> 00:05:55,988
Is that too much?
I did too much?
186
00:05:56,089 --> 00:05:57,156
No, it's perfect.
You sure?
187
00:05:57,256 --> 00:05:58,324
Yeah, perfect.
All right?
188
00:05:58,424 --> 00:05:59,325
You're gonna have
189
00:05:59,425 --> 00:06:01,461
lots of gas!
190
00:06:01,561 --> 00:06:02,462
Awkward.
191
00:06:02,562 --> 00:06:04,263
LILLY:
Bada-bing, bada-boom!
192
00:06:04,364 --> 00:06:06,366
Cheers.
Look at that.
193
00:06:06,466 --> 00:06:09,435
(Crunching)
194
00:06:09,535 --> 00:06:12,238
♪
195
00:06:12,338 --> 00:06:13,473
Mmm!
196
00:06:13,573 --> 00:06:15,842
I gotta say, it all
came together beautifully.
197
00:06:15,942 --> 00:06:16,843
LILLY: Yes!
198
00:06:16,943 --> 00:06:18,111
MENA: The crunchy bread,
the cheese,
199
00:06:18,211 --> 00:06:19,779
the Thousand Island sauce.
You guys nailed it.
200
00:06:19,879 --> 00:06:20,780
Everything together.
201
00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:21,781
The texture's
really good.
202
00:06:21,881 --> 00:06:23,149
You're not
fully plant-based.
203
00:06:23,249 --> 00:06:26,552
So, if you came in
and tasted this, blind test,
204
00:06:26,652 --> 00:06:28,588
would you be able to tell?
205
00:06:28,688 --> 00:06:29,589
Stand by.
206
00:06:29,689 --> 00:06:30,690
Well, that's
a good sign.
207
00:06:30,790 --> 00:06:31,891
LILLY:
If you gave me this,
208
00:06:31,991 --> 00:06:33,292
I think I would
think it's meat
209
00:06:33,393 --> 00:06:35,395
because the texture,
because of the colour.
210
00:06:35,495 --> 00:06:36,863
This is seriously
incredible.
211
00:06:36,963 --> 00:06:38,898
It doesn't sacrifice taste.
It's really good.
212
00:06:38,998 --> 00:06:40,767
JOE: Yeah.
MENA:
This was a home run.
213
00:06:40,867 --> 00:06:42,368
What else is one of
your best-sellers here?
214
00:06:42,468 --> 00:06:43,369
The Flores.
215
00:06:43,469 --> 00:06:45,238
I want it!
I gotta have it!
216
00:06:45,338 --> 00:06:47,407
I would also want it
to eat it.
217
00:06:47,507 --> 00:06:49,308
Could I get
two Flores?
218
00:06:49,409 --> 00:06:50,476
Two Flores?
Ohh!
219
00:06:50,576 --> 00:06:51,611
Two Flores!
Yes!
220
00:06:51,711 --> 00:06:52,945
MENA:
The Flores,
221
00:06:53,045 --> 00:06:56,082
a wonder of
Mexican-style ribs made from
222
00:06:56,182 --> 00:06:59,085
jackfruit, pickled onion,
and arugula
223
00:06:59,185 --> 00:07:00,219
on ciabatta.
224
00:07:00,319 --> 00:07:01,220
Cheers!
225
00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:02,822
All right,
one, two, three.
226
00:07:02,922 --> 00:07:04,223
♪
227
00:07:04,323 --> 00:07:07,260
MENA:
Mmm...
228
00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:10,663
♪
229
00:07:10,763 --> 00:07:14,033
(Mouth full, indiscernible)
230
00:07:15,034 --> 00:07:16,569
That's really good!
231
00:07:16,669 --> 00:07:19,472
Yeah, you can't really tell
jackfruit. Mmm.
232
00:07:19,572 --> 00:07:22,642
Yeah.
Ooh, the texture's really nice.
233
00:07:22,742 --> 00:07:23,843
Yeah, and it's got
234
00:07:23,943 --> 00:07:25,845
a nice spiciness with
the adobo flavour in there.
235
00:07:25,945 --> 00:07:27,447
Do you feel like
you're missing anything?
236
00:07:27,547 --> 00:07:29,115
No. Honestly, no.
237
00:07:29,215 --> 00:07:30,249
MENA: Yeah.
238
00:07:30,349 --> 00:07:31,584
We're both from
Toronto,
239
00:07:31,684 --> 00:07:32,919
Scarborough, specifically--
Bada!
240
00:07:33,019 --> 00:07:34,987
And now we're here in LA.
I know.
241
00:07:35,087 --> 00:07:39,091
One of the main reasons
I love LA is this:
242
00:07:39,192 --> 00:07:42,361
I don't think fear
shuts down ideas here.
243
00:07:42,462 --> 00:07:44,997
I think people's
imaginations here are so free,
244
00:07:45,097 --> 00:07:46,666
which is really, really cool.
245
00:07:46,766 --> 00:07:48,734
And I think it creates
this energy of
246
00:07:48,835 --> 00:07:50,570
just doing and creating
and living and risk-taking
247
00:07:50,670 --> 00:07:51,838
that I really love.
248
00:07:51,938 --> 00:07:53,706
How has your food philosophy
changed over the years?
249
00:07:53,806 --> 00:07:57,743
I think, previously,
I only used to view food as joy.
250
00:07:57,844 --> 00:07:59,245
I'm gonna eat whatever!
251
00:07:59,345 --> 00:08:00,413
It doesn't matter,
252
00:08:00,513 --> 00:08:03,649
because food is happiness
and my escape and joy.
253
00:08:03,749 --> 00:08:05,451
I think
that's a little too extreme.
254
00:08:05,551 --> 00:08:06,986
I think now, I view food
255
00:08:07,086 --> 00:08:08,421
as joy but also fuel.
256
00:08:08,521 --> 00:08:09,689
You know, also something
257
00:08:09,789 --> 00:08:12,458
that keeps me healthy and going
and my mind sharp.
258
00:08:12,558 --> 00:08:13,960
Where does plant-based
fall into that?
259
00:08:14,060 --> 00:08:15,995
Is it something
that you try to do
260
00:08:16,095 --> 00:08:18,231
I'm actually super-open
to plant-based.
261
00:08:18,331 --> 00:08:20,032
I think it tastes great.
262
00:08:20,132 --> 00:08:21,033
For me, I wish
263
00:08:21,133 --> 00:08:23,135
I had these two
living in my house.
264
00:08:23,236 --> 00:08:24,437
That's where the thing is.
265
00:08:24,537 --> 00:08:25,538
Where I'm, like,
266
00:08:25,638 --> 00:08:27,840
oh, I wish I had
this level of preparation.
267
00:08:27,940 --> 00:08:29,208
Yeah, and that's
the number-one thing
268
00:08:29,308 --> 00:08:30,209
that people tell me.
269
00:08:30,309 --> 00:08:31,511
They tell me that
all the time
270
00:08:31,611 --> 00:08:33,279
when I take out friends
to plant-based restaurants,
271
00:08:33,379 --> 00:08:35,848
they're, like, if I could eat
like this all the time,
272
00:08:35,948 --> 00:08:36,849
I would be vegan.
273
00:08:36,949 --> 00:08:38,384
MENA:
Okay, let's try the mousse.
274
00:08:38,484 --> 00:08:39,385
This is something
275
00:08:39,485 --> 00:08:40,920
I actually make at home
sometimes.
276
00:08:41,020 --> 00:08:41,921
LILLY: Really?
277
00:08:42,021 --> 00:08:43,055
MENA:
And you throw in
278
00:08:43,155 --> 00:08:44,156
some silken tofu.
279
00:08:44,257 --> 00:08:47,260
I have not ate
as much plant-based dessert.
280
00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:50,129
Cheers.
Bada!
281
00:08:51,264 --> 00:08:52,598
I definitely taste
the cinnamon.
282
00:08:52,698 --> 00:08:54,333
I definitely taste--
I taste the cinnamon.
283
00:08:54,433 --> 00:08:55,668
Which I really like.
284
00:08:55,768 --> 00:08:57,336
And the base
is tofu.
285
00:08:57,436 --> 00:08:58,437
I forgot about that!
286
00:08:58,538 --> 00:09:01,207
It does not, no,
it does not taste like tofu.
287
00:09:01,307 --> 00:09:02,408
Right?
Right?
I cannot taste tofu.
288
00:09:02,508 --> 00:09:04,277
You think the base is what,
some sort of--?
289
00:09:04,377 --> 00:09:06,112
This base is tofu?
What!
--cream or something.
Yeah!
290
00:09:06,212 --> 00:09:08,314
It's kind of like you,
you know?
291
00:09:08,414 --> 00:09:10,850
Substance with the tofu,
and sweet and spicy
292
00:09:10,950 --> 00:09:12,351
all at the same time.
293
00:09:12,451 --> 00:09:13,519
Twinning.
Look at us.
294
00:09:13,619 --> 00:09:14,720
We are the same.
295
00:09:14,820 --> 00:09:17,089
MENA:
No twinning, Lilly.
296
00:09:17,189 --> 00:09:18,524
You're one of a kind.
297
00:09:18,624 --> 00:09:23,863
♪
298
00:09:23,963 --> 00:09:26,699
Beverly Hills.
The height of
299
00:09:26,799 --> 00:09:28,734
luxury and decadence.
300
00:09:28,834 --> 00:09:31,904
And for me,
luxury means one thing:
301
00:09:32,004 --> 00:09:33,973
French pastry.
302
00:09:34,073 --> 00:09:36,943
Laila Abddaim is
the mastermind behind
303
00:09:37,043 --> 00:09:38,277
the ultra-successful
Chaumont Vegan,
304
00:09:38,377 --> 00:09:40,379
a fully vegan classic
305
00:09:40,479 --> 00:09:41,547
French pastry shop.
306
00:09:41,647 --> 00:09:43,883
She's pulled off
the seemingly impossible,
307
00:09:43,983 --> 00:09:46,485
cracking the code
308
00:09:46,586 --> 00:09:48,788
to delicate, flakey pastries
309
00:09:48,888 --> 00:09:50,156
without
any dairy butter.
310
00:09:50,256 --> 00:09:53,092
Wow, look at this!
311
00:09:53,192 --> 00:09:54,727
This is incredible.
This is all vegan?
312
00:09:54,827 --> 00:09:56,062
All vegan, yes.
313
00:09:56,162 --> 00:09:58,798
MENA: These pastries
are surreal.
314
00:09:58,898 --> 00:10:01,100
Charcoal croissants
with maccha dusting.
315
00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:02,935
Hazelnut rose confections.
316
00:10:03,035 --> 00:10:04,136
Apricot twists!
317
00:10:04,236 --> 00:10:07,640
Egg and cheese croissants
with a dukkah-nod
318
00:10:07,740 --> 00:10:09,241
to Laila's
French-Moroccan roots.
319
00:10:09,342 --> 00:10:10,376
Insane!
320
00:10:10,476 --> 00:10:13,579
You being French,
you're obviously doing
321
00:10:13,679 --> 00:10:15,147
French pastry style,
322
00:10:15,247 --> 00:10:17,249
and you had Chaumont next door
since 2013.
323
00:10:17,350 --> 00:10:21,654
What inspired you to open up
a Chaumont Vegan
324
00:10:21,754 --> 00:10:23,623
that was all plant-based?
325
00:10:23,723 --> 00:10:25,691
I felt connected
to that philosophy.
326
00:10:25,791 --> 00:10:30,129
And every time I hear
people talking about
327
00:10:30,229 --> 00:10:31,797
plant-based food,
328
00:10:31,897 --> 00:10:33,666
it doesn't have
the best, like...
329
00:10:33,766 --> 00:10:35,868
Reputation?
Reputation, thank you.
330
00:10:35,968 --> 00:10:37,770
So, I wanted
to change that mindset
331
00:10:37,870 --> 00:10:41,674
and I felt if I can make
vegan pastries
332
00:10:41,774 --> 00:10:43,109
taste, look better,
333
00:10:43,209 --> 00:10:45,044
I think I'll count
334
00:10:45,144 --> 00:10:46,045
a mission there.
335
00:10:46,145 --> 00:10:48,381
What you've been able
to do here
336
00:10:48,481 --> 00:10:49,715
is very, very rare.
337
00:10:49,815 --> 00:10:52,685
It wasn't easy for me
to replicate
338
00:10:52,785 --> 00:10:56,789
the same taste
as regular pastries.
339
00:10:56,889 --> 00:10:57,790
But I tried.
340
00:10:57,890 --> 00:10:59,025
I used different butters.
341
00:10:59,125 --> 00:11:00,893
And it was not
quite right.
342
00:11:00,993 --> 00:11:03,529
So, I started making
my own butter.
343
00:11:03,629 --> 00:11:05,564
Because butter
344
00:11:05,665 --> 00:11:08,034
is the key of
all of this.
345
00:11:08,134 --> 00:11:09,468
Of French pastries,
yeah.
346
00:11:09,568 --> 00:11:11,737
So, I wanna try some,
some of this goodness here.
347
00:11:11,837 --> 00:11:13,806
Laila: Of course.
What do you want to try?
348
00:11:13,906 --> 00:11:15,341
(Laughter)
349
00:11:15,441 --> 00:11:16,709
Earl Grey.
350
00:11:16,809 --> 00:11:17,810
MENA: All right!
What is it?
351
00:11:17,910 --> 00:11:18,978
Tell me what
I'm gonna try.
352
00:11:19,078 --> 00:11:20,246
LAILA: It's an Earl Grey
pastry-cream croissant.
353
00:11:20,346 --> 00:11:22,848
MENA: I can already tell
it's flakey; it's beautiful.
354
00:11:22,948 --> 00:11:25,317
And you put a little
gold leaf on top as well?
355
00:11:25,418 --> 00:11:26,318
LAILA:
Yeah, edible gold.
356
00:11:26,419 --> 00:11:27,920
MENA:
Wow, look at that.
357
00:11:28,020 --> 00:11:29,822
I can tell
that it's buttery.
358
00:11:29,922 --> 00:11:31,691
There's a filling inside,
as well.
359
00:11:31,791 --> 00:11:32,692
Mm-hmm,
the pastry cream, yes.
360
00:11:32,792 --> 00:11:34,694
(Crunching)
361
00:11:34,794 --> 00:11:37,697
♪
362
00:11:37,797 --> 00:11:40,266
♪
363
00:11:40,366 --> 00:11:41,500
Come on!
364
00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:43,903
Mmm.
You can hear the crunch
365
00:11:44,003 --> 00:11:45,237
when I bite into it.
LAILA: Yeah.
366
00:11:45,337 --> 00:11:47,173
Which is how you know
it's cooked to perfection.
367
00:11:47,273 --> 00:11:48,174
This is amazing.
368
00:11:48,274 --> 00:11:49,308
LAILA: Most of
the people,
369
00:11:49,408 --> 00:11:50,743
actually, that have come here
are not vegan.
370
00:11:50,843 --> 00:11:53,112
One bite
and they usually come back.
371
00:11:53,212 --> 00:11:54,880
MENA:
No surprise there.
372
00:11:54,980 --> 00:11:57,283
Now, I have to know
how she's making these pastries
373
00:11:57,383 --> 00:11:59,185
and I'm lucky enough
to get an invite
374
00:11:59,285 --> 00:12:02,521
to try my hand
at a French classic: the éclair.
375
00:12:02,621 --> 00:12:05,791
The first step
is making the choux pastry
376
00:12:05,891 --> 00:12:07,393
from Laila's top-secret
plant-based butter.
377
00:12:07,493 --> 00:12:08,928
And let me tell ya,
378
00:12:09,028 --> 00:12:10,429
mixing is harder
than it looks.
379
00:12:10,529 --> 00:12:12,732
And then...
You don't trust me
to stir, I see.
380
00:12:12,832 --> 00:12:14,266
I just don't want you like,
381
00:12:14,366 --> 00:12:15,801
Oh, you're
looking out for me.
382
00:12:15,901 --> 00:12:19,438
You don't want me to get
it on my beautiful jacket.
383
00:12:19,538 --> 00:12:20,439
Okay.
384
00:12:20,539 --> 00:12:21,907
Put a little more strength.
385
00:12:22,007 --> 00:12:22,908
Hoo.
386
00:12:23,008 --> 00:12:23,909
It's hard.
387
00:12:24,009 --> 00:12:24,910
It is hard.
388
00:12:25,010 --> 00:12:25,911
What the heck?
389
00:12:26,011 --> 00:12:27,012
Let me show you.
390
00:12:27,113 --> 00:12:28,147
Yeah, please show me.
391
00:12:28,247 --> 00:12:29,148
So, you do it...
392
00:12:29,248 --> 00:12:30,149
It's good.
393
00:12:30,249 --> 00:12:31,884
You did you good
for the first time.
394
00:12:31,984 --> 00:12:33,419
Thank you.
I mean I hope so.
395
00:12:33,519 --> 00:12:34,920
You're showing me
up a little bit.
396
00:12:35,020 --> 00:12:35,921
My arm hurts.
397
00:12:36,021 --> 00:12:37,990
Oh, my gosh!
398
00:12:38,090 --> 00:12:38,991
Perfect.
399
00:12:39,091 --> 00:12:41,160
This is hard work here.
400
00:12:41,260 --> 00:12:42,595
Man!
401
00:12:42,695 --> 00:12:46,465
So, of course, a lot of egg
but in this care, vegan egg.
402
00:12:46,565 --> 00:12:49,702
Laila's plant based eggs
have a base of yellow mung
403
00:12:49,802 --> 00:12:51,937
beans, oat milk, olive
oil and turmeric.
404
00:12:52,037 --> 00:12:54,573
So, today we're going
to use a template for you.
405
00:12:54,673 --> 00:12:55,875
I'm usually not using this.
406
00:12:55,975 --> 00:12:56,876
But I think...
407
00:12:56,976 --> 00:12:58,043
But I'm an amateur.
408
00:12:58,144 --> 00:12:59,044
What?
409
00:12:59,145 --> 00:13:00,212
Yeah... yeah, it's okay.
410
00:13:00,312 --> 00:13:01,647
Okay, beautiful!
411
00:13:01,747 --> 00:13:02,648
So...
412
00:13:02,748 --> 00:13:03,649
Beautiful.
413
00:13:03,749 --> 00:13:05,251
Here we go.
414
00:13:05,351 --> 00:13:06,585
(Clears throat)
415
00:13:06,685 --> 00:13:08,220
(Exhales sharply)
416
00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:10,956
♪
417
00:13:11,056 --> 00:13:11,957
LAILA: Eh!
418
00:13:12,057 --> 00:13:13,626
Pretty good, pretty good.
419
00:13:13,726 --> 00:13:14,627
Alright.
420
00:13:14,727 --> 00:13:15,628
I'm surprised!
421
00:13:15,728 --> 00:13:16,629
What?
422
00:13:16,729 --> 00:13:17,997
What?
423
00:13:18,097 --> 00:13:20,833
You know, no, seriously, it
takes a long time
424
00:13:20,933 --> 00:13:23,035
for people to...
425
00:13:23,135 --> 00:13:25,070
To know how to do this.
426
00:13:25,171 --> 00:13:26,772
Well, thank you very much.
427
00:13:26,872 --> 00:13:28,440
I am the host of a food show.
428
00:13:28,541 --> 00:13:29,575
All right.
429
00:13:29,675 --> 00:13:31,410
But you should told
me you never did this.
430
00:13:31,510 --> 00:13:32,411
Never an éclair.
431
00:13:32,511 --> 00:13:34,313
That was my best one.
432
00:13:34,413 --> 00:13:35,514
That's better than mine!
433
00:13:35,614 --> 00:13:37,616
That was my best one I think.
434
00:13:37,716 --> 00:13:40,052
MENA: After some EXPERT
piping, we let it
435
00:13:40,152 --> 00:13:41,353
bake for an hour.
436
00:13:41,453 --> 00:13:42,688
Okay, there we go.
437
00:13:42,788 --> 00:13:45,624
LAILA: I truly think vegan
food, like, plant-based food
438
00:13:45,724 --> 00:13:46,992
is the future.
439
00:13:47,092 --> 00:13:49,762
If I can like make something
that tastes better than the
440
00:13:49,862 --> 00:13:53,465
regular pastries, sorry, like,
uh, it's a easy choice.
441
00:13:53,566 --> 00:13:55,201
MENA: Oh, wow.
442
00:13:55,301 --> 00:13:57,903
Almost lost it.
443
00:13:58,003 --> 00:13:59,271
Almost lost it.
444
00:13:59,371 --> 00:14:02,041
Once the shells are ready,
we poke three holes and
445
00:14:02,141 --> 00:14:05,311
start filling with pastry cream,
a blend of oat milk, cane
446
00:14:05,411 --> 00:14:08,113
sugar, vanilla beans, more
turmeric, and the piece de
447
00:14:08,214 --> 00:14:09,148
resistance,
Moroccan argan oils.
448
00:14:09,248 --> 00:14:10,149
Okay...
449
00:14:10,249 --> 00:14:11,884
I'll do the
chocolate one and...
450
00:14:11,984 --> 00:14:13,285
And I'll do the Matcha?
451
00:14:13,385 --> 00:14:14,420
Sure.
452
00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:16,422
Matcha, that's a very
Los Angeles flavour
453
00:14:16,522 --> 00:14:17,423
I feel like.
454
00:14:17,523 --> 00:14:18,424
Okay.
455
00:14:18,524 --> 00:14:19,425
Just a little--
456
00:14:19,525 --> 00:14:20,526
(Gasps)
457
00:14:20,626 --> 00:14:21,727
Oh, no!
458
00:14:21,827 --> 00:14:22,995
It's okay, we're good.
459
00:14:23,095 --> 00:14:24,530
We're good.
460
00:14:24,630 --> 00:14:26,599
♪
461
00:14:26,699 --> 00:14:28,801
It's delicious.
462
00:14:28,901 --> 00:14:31,837
The eclairs are glazed with
Matcha and chocolate
463
00:14:31,937 --> 00:14:34,640
and decorated with edible
flowers and gold leaf.
464
00:14:34,740 --> 00:14:35,641
Very delicate.
465
00:14:35,741 --> 00:14:38,410
Oh, I already messed up.
466
00:14:38,510 --> 00:14:43,048
No, you want to
grab just a little piece.
467
00:14:43,148 --> 00:14:44,383
No.
468
00:14:44,483 --> 00:14:45,451
♪
469
00:14:45,551 --> 00:14:46,452
Voila!
470
00:14:46,552 --> 00:14:47,686
It's looking really great.
471
00:14:47,786 --> 00:14:48,687
This is art.
472
00:14:48,787 --> 00:14:49,989
I am an artiste.
473
00:14:50,089 --> 00:14:51,257
Thank you very much.
474
00:14:51,357 --> 00:14:54,326
You definitely did most
of it but it's okay.
475
00:14:54,426 --> 00:14:56,762
I think I'm going out
the chocolate first.
476
00:14:56,862 --> 00:15:00,065
♪
477
00:15:00,165 --> 00:15:02,134
Mm.
478
00:15:02,234 --> 00:15:04,036
That is stupendously delicious.
479
00:15:04,136 --> 00:15:07,840
No way anyone would
be able to tell
480
00:15:07,940 --> 00:15:09,041
that's plant based.
481
00:15:09,141 --> 00:15:10,042
No way.
482
00:15:10,142 --> 00:15:12,745
Alright, I'm going
to try the Matcha.
483
00:15:12,845 --> 00:15:15,080
♪
484
00:15:15,180 --> 00:15:16,782
Mm.
485
00:15:16,882 --> 00:15:20,286
Come on.
486
00:15:20,386 --> 00:15:21,921
Wow!
487
00:15:22,021 --> 00:15:23,122
Are they filled properly?
488
00:15:23,222 --> 00:15:24,123
Mm-hmm.
489
00:15:24,223 --> 00:15:25,124
Yeah.
490
00:15:25,224 --> 00:15:26,125
Mm-hmm.
491
00:15:26,225 --> 00:15:27,126
(Laila laughs)
492
00:15:27,226 --> 00:15:28,127
Super light.
493
00:15:28,227 --> 00:15:29,495
Obviously a nice shell.
494
00:15:29,595 --> 00:15:30,496
The glaze...
495
00:15:30,596 --> 00:15:31,497
Not overly sweet, right?
496
00:15:31,597 --> 00:15:32,498
Yeah.
497
00:15:32,598 --> 00:15:33,499
Yeah.
498
00:15:33,599 --> 00:15:34,533
You've nailed it.
499
00:15:34,633 --> 00:15:36,068
You've absolutely
nailed everything here.
500
00:15:36,168 --> 00:15:37,069
It's fantastic.
501
00:15:37,169 --> 00:15:38,671
Who also wants a bite?
502
00:15:38,771 --> 00:15:41,974
Come on, Johnny, I don't
think I've fed you yet.
503
00:15:42,074 --> 00:15:42,975
Mm. Wow.
504
00:15:43,075 --> 00:15:43,976
Yeah?
505
00:15:44,076 --> 00:15:45,911
10 out of 10.
506
00:15:46,011 --> 00:15:46,912
That's amazing.
507
00:15:47,012 --> 00:15:47,913
Thank you.
508
00:15:48,013 --> 00:15:50,349
All right, Danny, come here.
509
00:15:50,449 --> 00:15:52,851
Always looking out for me.
510
00:15:52,952 --> 00:15:56,622
♪
511
00:15:56,722 --> 00:15:58,324
That's amazing.
512
00:15:58,424 --> 00:15:59,992
Thank you.
513
00:16:00,092 --> 00:16:01,160
(Parisian flavoured music)
514
00:16:01,260 --> 00:16:02,194
Voila!
515
00:16:02,294 --> 00:16:03,696
Merci, Laila.
516
00:16:03,796 --> 00:16:06,732
The crazy length you've gone
to make extraordinary pastries
517
00:16:06,832 --> 00:16:09,034
taking century old French
recipes and elevating them
518
00:16:09,134 --> 00:16:10,469
for the future.
519
00:16:10,569 --> 00:16:13,505
Is just so smart to pivot when
you see the world evolving.
520
00:16:13,605 --> 00:16:15,908
And that's what I love about LA.
521
00:16:16,008 --> 00:16:18,978
In a land of make-believe,
people like Laila prove
522
00:16:19,078 --> 00:16:20,679
that dreams do come true.
523
00:16:20,779 --> 00:16:28,020
♪
524
00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:35,327
♪
525
00:16:35,427 --> 00:16:39,131
After a couple stops on our
LA food crawl, I gotta get
526
00:16:39,231 --> 00:16:40,132
a sweat-on.
527
00:16:40,232 --> 00:16:41,667
This is LA after all.
528
00:16:41,767 --> 00:16:44,503
And fortunately, I know
one of the best trainers
529
00:16:44,603 --> 00:16:45,838
in the city,
530
00:16:45,938 --> 00:16:48,374
Coach Kollins, a fellow
vegan, was born in Russia,
531
00:16:48,474 --> 00:16:51,543
raised in Thailand, trained
Muay Thai since he was 12.
532
00:16:51,643 --> 00:16:52,711
He moved to LA
533
00:16:52,811 --> 00:16:54,513
around the same
time I did,
534
00:16:54,613 --> 00:16:55,981
and we become fast friends.
535
00:16:56,081 --> 00:16:58,617
Today, Kollins is putting
me and restaurateur, Mod,
536
00:16:58,717 --> 00:17:00,753
through one of his hellacious
sparring and workout
537
00:17:00,853 --> 00:17:02,287
sessions.
538
00:17:02,388 --> 00:17:05,324
Since moving to LA, fitness
has become a huge part of
539
00:17:05,424 --> 00:17:06,725
my life.
540
00:17:06,825 --> 00:17:08,761
When I went plant-based,
I became way more aware
541
00:17:08,861 --> 00:17:10,696
of my health,
physical and mental.
542
00:17:10,796 --> 00:17:13,932
But when it comes to the
gym, with plants fueling
543
00:17:14,033 --> 00:17:17,469
your body. what people really
want to know is, is it
544
00:17:17,569 --> 00:17:18,771
possible to get shredded?
545
00:17:18,871 --> 00:17:25,611
(Shots landing)
546
00:17:25,711 --> 00:17:27,279
♪
547
00:17:27,379 --> 00:17:28,280
Ha!
548
00:17:28,380 --> 00:17:29,715
Ding-ding-ding.
549
00:17:29,815 --> 00:17:32,017
Obviously you are doing
well in a vegan diet I see.
550
00:17:32,117 --> 00:17:33,018
Yeah?
551
00:17:33,118 --> 00:17:34,019
Trying.
552
00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:35,020
Not too bad.
553
00:17:35,120 --> 00:17:36,488
Part of my plans.
554
00:17:36,588 --> 00:17:38,757
Before I moved to LA the
biggest thing people always told
555
00:17:38,857 --> 00:17:41,760
me what I told them I was
plant-based was "Well, where do
556
00:17:41,860 --> 00:17:43,295
you get your protein?"
557
00:17:43,395 --> 00:17:46,031
Like, "You're never going to be
able to gain at the gym." And
558
00:17:46,131 --> 00:17:49,568
then I met you, I was like, "Oh,
damn, if Kollins can be that
559
00:17:49,668 --> 00:17:50,936
ripped on a plant-based
diet then..."
560
00:17:51,036 --> 00:17:53,639
My whole goal was to prove
people wrong that you're able
561
00:17:53,739 --> 00:17:55,140
to like still compete and
562
00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:57,242
be a competitive athlete on
plant-based diet, you're able to
563
00:17:57,342 --> 00:17:59,178
build muscle just like
other animals do, right?
564
00:17:59,278 --> 00:18:01,647
Like, the strongest animals in
the world
565
00:18:01,747 --> 00:18:03,749
like let's say
gorillas, elephants, right?
566
00:18:03,849 --> 00:18:05,451
They eat only plants,
you know what I mean?
567
00:18:05,551 --> 00:18:06,985
And they're huge/
568
00:18:07,086 --> 00:18:10,656
So you're able to grow if you
get enough and amino acids.
569
00:18:10,756 --> 00:18:14,026
I've been vegan for
like say 7 to 8 years now.
570
00:18:14,126 --> 00:18:16,695
Again I've done blood work and
I'm not deficient in anything.
571
00:18:16,795 --> 00:18:17,963
I feel great.
572
00:18:18,063 --> 00:18:20,099
I feel like that works for
me but obviously not
573
00:18:20,199 --> 00:18:21,533
everybody's different, too.
574
00:18:21,633 --> 00:18:23,535
So everybody's going to
see how it works for them.
575
00:18:23,635 --> 00:18:25,838
When you weren't
vegan, what was that like?
576
00:18:25,938 --> 00:18:30,509
Uh, back 2015, I used to be a
competitive physique athlete
577
00:18:30,609 --> 00:18:33,912
which means I would do like
natural competitions
578
00:18:34,012 --> 00:18:37,316
where you're not very
big of a person
579
00:18:37,416 --> 00:18:38,884
but kind of like in my size
right now
580
00:18:38,984 --> 00:18:40,719
and I would wake up in the
581
00:18:40,819 --> 00:18:43,388
morning have a bunch of egg
whites and have a bunch of
582
00:18:43,489 --> 00:18:46,058
chicken breasts for lunch and a
bunch of like beef for dinner.
583
00:18:46,158 --> 00:18:48,360
And I felt so tired
and heavy all the time.
584
00:18:48,460 --> 00:18:50,596
I felt like I look good but I
was like functioning well,
585
00:18:50,696 --> 00:18:52,297
you know?
586
00:18:52,397 --> 00:18:54,533
After I switched to being vegan,
I continued to go the
587
00:18:54,633 --> 00:18:55,868
same lifestyle but I was
588
00:18:55,968 --> 00:18:57,836
trying to get all my
nutrients from plants.
589
00:18:57,936 --> 00:19:01,440
And definitely felt much better
and also I realized that
590
00:19:01,540 --> 00:19:03,242
I don't need to like
591
00:19:03,342 --> 00:19:06,111
eat like other living
creatures in order to
592
00:19:06,211 --> 00:19:07,546
look a certain way.
593
00:19:07,646 --> 00:19:10,382
MENA: Kollins is a passionate
dude who was way more
594
00:19:10,482 --> 00:19:12,351
in-your-face about his
beliefs in the past.
595
00:19:12,451 --> 00:19:14,319
When you first like discover
plant-based diet and being
596
00:19:14,419 --> 00:19:16,588
vegan, you're so passionate
about it and you try to
597
00:19:16,688 --> 00:19:17,589
change the world.
598
00:19:17,689 --> 00:19:19,057
Yeah.
599
00:19:19,158 --> 00:19:21,793
And then you realize you have to
be the change that you want to
600
00:19:21,894 --> 00:19:23,395
see in the world, right?
601
00:19:23,495 --> 00:19:25,831
So all you can do is be the best
version of yourself and
602
00:19:25,931 --> 00:19:27,833
hopefully that's going to
motivate other people join you.
603
00:19:27,933 --> 00:19:30,202
But I feel like a lot of times
when you push somebody to do
604
00:19:30,302 --> 00:19:33,605
something they start resisting
it and it's even like harder
605
00:19:33,705 --> 00:19:34,973
to make the change.
606
00:19:35,073 --> 00:19:38,243
Well, I don't know about you
guys but I'm starving and you
607
00:19:38,343 --> 00:19:40,846
have two of the best
Thai restaurants in LA.
608
00:19:40,946 --> 00:19:42,848
Okay,
let's go eat.
609
00:19:42,948 --> 00:19:45,017
MENA:
I'm not kidding.
610
00:19:45,117 --> 00:19:47,019
Maud is the owner
and head chef
611
00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:49,354
at two hugely successful
Thai restaurants,
612
00:19:49,454 --> 00:19:51,190
L.O.V.E. Organic
and H.O.P.E. Vegan.
613
00:19:51,290 --> 00:19:53,358
If you come to LA,
and you want Thai,
614
00:19:53,458 --> 00:19:56,028
this is where you go,
because, come on,
615
00:19:56,128 --> 00:19:58,030
look at these
popcorn shrimp.
616
00:19:58,130 --> 00:20:00,032
This is new.
I've never had this.
617
00:20:00,132 --> 00:20:01,533
MAUD: Yes,
this is new.
618
00:20:01,633 --> 00:20:02,868
What is this?
619
00:20:02,968 --> 00:20:04,203
It's the
panko shrimp.
620
00:20:04,303 --> 00:20:05,537
It's made from
potatoes and soy.
621
00:20:05,637 --> 00:20:07,206
MENA: And a beautiful sauce
to go here with it.
622
00:20:07,306 --> 00:20:09,208
MAUD: It's, uh-- yeah.
It's a plum dipping sauce.
623
00:20:09,308 --> 00:20:10,542
I make it here.
624
00:20:10,642 --> 00:20:12,044
You make it
from plums, fresh?
625
00:20:12,144 --> 00:20:13,378
MAUD:
Yes. Yes.
626
00:20:13,478 --> 00:20:14,880
MENA: Of course you do.
Why wouldn't you?
627
00:20:14,980 --> 00:20:16,882
Alright, well, let's did in.
I want to try these shrimp here.
628
00:20:16,982 --> 00:20:18,717
This sauce is
my favourite thing.
629
00:20:18,817 --> 00:20:21,220
♪
630
00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:22,721
MAUD:
You like it?
631
00:20:22,821 --> 00:20:25,224
Mmm. It's so good.
That tastes like shrimp.
632
00:20:25,324 --> 00:20:27,559
The texture
is the same,
633
00:20:27,659 --> 00:20:30,562
and I even see a little bit of
pink on the inside, right?
634
00:20:30,662 --> 00:20:32,231
And the sauce
is amazing.
635
00:20:32,331 --> 00:20:34,066
Yeah, okay. I'm glad
you guys like it.
636
00:20:34,166 --> 00:20:36,401
Yeah. So, you grew up
eating plant-based?
637
00:20:36,501 --> 00:20:37,903
MAUD:
Yes.
638
00:20:38,003 --> 00:20:41,506
Do you think Thai food innately
lends itself to vegan food?
639
00:20:41,607 --> 00:20:44,676
I think, for me,
it's easy to make it vegan.
640
00:20:44,776 --> 00:20:46,845
Should we dig
into the wings?
641
00:20:46,945 --> 00:20:49,014
MAUD:
Yes, please.
One of my favourite
things on Earth.
642
00:20:49,114 --> 00:20:52,517
Maud's famous, hard-punching
Muay Thai chicken wings,
643
00:20:52,618 --> 00:20:55,520
made with crispy tofu skin,
mushrooms and soy fibre,
644
00:20:55,621 --> 00:20:59,024
cooked in a lemongrass sauce
with crispy basil.
645
00:20:59,124 --> 00:21:02,527
One of the things I craved,
and could never really find,
646
00:21:02,628 --> 00:21:04,029
were
chicken wings.
647
00:21:04,129 --> 00:21:05,864
It was kind of about
the texture for me,
648
00:21:05,964 --> 00:21:08,200
and just having it off a bone.
And you can see on this--
649
00:21:08,300 --> 00:21:09,701
Fake bone.
650
00:21:09,801 --> 00:21:12,004
--there's a little fake bone,
which is amazing.
651
00:21:12,104 --> 00:21:14,339
And then you bite
into these.
652
00:21:14,439 --> 00:21:17,442
I love these things.
I can eat them all day.
653
00:21:18,443 --> 00:21:19,845
Are you going
to eat it?
654
00:21:19,945 --> 00:21:21,680
It's so good.
I should wait.
655
00:21:21,780 --> 00:21:23,282
(Both laughing)
656
00:21:24,449 --> 00:21:26,685
Mmm. Mmm.
657
00:21:26,785 --> 00:21:28,186
I miss them.
658
00:21:28,287 --> 00:21:29,688
Yeah, I believe
a lot of times
659
00:21:29,788 --> 00:21:31,523
when I bring my friends here
they cannot tell the difference
660
00:21:31,623 --> 00:21:33,191
between this
being fake and real.
661
00:21:33,292 --> 00:21:34,693
Yeah, I don't
think you can really
662
00:21:34,793 --> 00:21:36,194
tell that it's
not chicken.
663
00:21:36,295 --> 00:21:38,363
I mean, it's-- it's pretty
spot on with the skin.
664
00:21:38,463 --> 00:21:40,532
I love these things.
They're incredible.
665
00:21:40,632 --> 00:21:42,834
Maud's shrimp and wings are
a classic example
666
00:21:42,934 --> 00:21:45,203
of why LA is ahead
of the curve.
667
00:21:45,304 --> 00:21:47,673
It's not abnormal;
it's the new normal.
668
00:21:47,773 --> 00:21:49,675
And Maud's thrilled
with the change she's seen
669
00:21:49,775 --> 00:21:53,345
in LA since opening her
restaurants over a decade ago.
670
00:21:53,445 --> 00:21:57,849
People seem to be vegan,
like, last five years.
671
00:21:57,949 --> 00:22:01,186
Like-- like, crazy busy
last five years.
672
00:22:01,286 --> 00:22:04,356
Not just us; every single vegan
restaurant in Studio City.
673
00:22:04,456 --> 00:22:06,358
So, there was a boom in
the last five years,
674
00:22:06,458 --> 00:22:07,859
essentially, that
you noticed--
675
00:22:07,959 --> 00:22:09,194
MAUD:
Yes, yes.
676
00:22:09,294 --> 00:22:11,029
--consistently.
Why do you think that is?
677
00:22:11,129 --> 00:22:13,031
Obviously, we're in LA,
which is a vegan mecca,
678
00:22:13,131 --> 00:22:14,533
but why do you think
that is?
679
00:22:14,633 --> 00:22:16,535
I think people are concerned
about their health.
680
00:22:16,635 --> 00:22:19,371
They try it, they say, "Oh",
and they just love it.
681
00:22:19,471 --> 00:22:22,874
MENA: Well, good thing we
got our workout in,
682
00:22:22,974 --> 00:22:25,877
'cause I'm
gonna keep on indulging.
683
00:22:25,977 --> 00:22:32,584
♪
684
00:22:32,684 --> 00:22:36,488
California; it's been setting
culinary trends for decades.
685
00:22:36,588 --> 00:22:38,490
I mean, the Golden Arches
started here.
686
00:22:38,590 --> 00:22:41,059
And now, the seeds are planted
for the next generation
687
00:22:41,159 --> 00:22:44,396
of eating at Plant Power, the
first fully plant-based
688
00:22:44,496 --> 00:22:48,400
fast food chain, owned and
operated by my good friend.
689
00:22:48,500 --> 00:22:49,735
ZACH:
Look who it is.
690
00:22:49,835 --> 00:22:50,902
Zach Vouga.
691
00:22:51,002 --> 00:22:52,237
How are you, my friend?
Welcome back.
692
00:22:52,337 --> 00:22:53,572
What's
going on?
ZACH:
Come on in.
693
00:22:53,672 --> 00:22:55,240
So, it's been-- it's been
a little bit of time
694
00:22:55,340 --> 00:22:56,742
since I last
saw you.
695
00:22:56,842 --> 00:22:58,076
ZACH:
It has been.
696
00:22:58,176 --> 00:22:59,745
You're up to, what,
11 locations now?
697
00:22:59,845 --> 00:23:01,580
Hollywood marks number 11,
which is crazy,
698
00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:03,749
because when I think back to
when you and I first met,
699
00:23:03,849 --> 00:23:05,417
that was, what,
two or three?
700
00:23:05,517 --> 00:23:07,919
So, the dream has officially
got legs and it's mobilized.
701
00:23:08,019 --> 00:23:09,254
I'm glad to see it.
702
00:23:09,354 --> 00:23:10,756
This is one of
my favourite spots.
703
00:23:10,856 --> 00:23:13,592
Tell me a little bit about
plant-based fast food.
704
00:23:13,692 --> 00:23:16,261
ZACH: We believe that
Plant Power is where fast food
705
00:23:16,361 --> 00:23:18,096
is either going,
or where it should be.
706
00:23:18,196 --> 00:23:20,432
And what we mean by that
is 100% plant-based
707
00:23:20,532 --> 00:23:22,100
burgers, fries,
and shakes.
708
00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:23,602
Better for you,
better for the planet
709
00:23:23,702 --> 00:23:25,103
and, most importantly,
better for the animals.
710
00:23:25,203 --> 00:23:26,438
Are you hungry?
711
00:23:26,538 --> 00:23:27,939
I am. I am.
What are we making, man?
712
00:23:28,039 --> 00:23:29,441
I don't know if you've
tried our Big Zac.
713
00:23:29,541 --> 00:23:31,109
Dude, of course I've
tried the Big Zac.
714
00:23:31,209 --> 00:23:33,779
You are Zach. Zach Vouga,
AKA, the Big Zac.
715
00:23:33,879 --> 00:23:35,614
The Big Zac
is my namesake.
716
00:23:35,714 --> 00:23:37,282
I think we would be
remiss not to try it.
717
00:23:37,382 --> 00:23:39,117
BOTH:
Let's do it.
718
00:23:39,217 --> 00:23:41,353
MENA:
The US alone consumes
719
00:23:41,453 --> 00:23:43,822
more than 50 billion
burgers a year.
720
00:23:43,922 --> 00:23:46,458
That's a lot of cows;
way too many cows.
721
00:23:46,558 --> 00:23:48,794
Plant-based burgers
use much less water,
722
00:23:48,894 --> 00:23:52,297
and up to 90% less land
and greenhouse gasses.
723
00:23:52,397 --> 00:23:54,966
So, if you got a hankering to
smash cheeseburgers
724
00:23:55,066 --> 00:23:58,136
and want to spare the planet,
the Big Zac's the way to go.
725
00:23:58,236 --> 00:24:00,472
This is where it happens.
We got our fry station here.
726
00:24:00,572 --> 00:24:01,807
Some warming bins.
727
00:24:01,907 --> 00:24:03,141
Alright.
728
00:24:03,241 --> 00:24:04,643
You ready to
make a burger?
MENA:
I'm ready.
729
00:24:04,743 --> 00:24:06,478
Alright, so for the Big Zac
we're going to start
730
00:24:06,578 --> 00:24:08,647
with a sesame seed bun.
Go ahead and grab your buns.
731
00:24:08,747 --> 00:24:11,983
Alright, I will grab my buns.
No worries there.
732
00:24:12,083 --> 00:24:14,152
Alright,
nice and warm.
733
00:24:14,252 --> 00:24:15,821
ZACH: Grab the
Big Zac sauce.
734
00:24:15,921 --> 00:24:17,823
And you're just going to give it
one squeeze on each patty.
735
00:24:17,923 --> 00:24:19,324
MENA:
On each bun?
736
00:24:19,424 --> 00:24:20,826
ZACH: Yep.
One squeeze.
737
00:24:20,926 --> 00:24:23,495
Oh, my goodness!
It's an explosion of flavour.
738
00:24:23,595 --> 00:24:25,330
The classic shredded
lettuce, right?
739
00:24:25,430 --> 00:24:26,832
ZACH:
And then three pickles.
740
00:24:26,932 --> 00:24:28,834
Oh, we got an order!
We got an order, people!
741
00:24:28,934 --> 00:24:30,168
ZACH:
Order up!
742
00:24:30,268 --> 00:24:32,571
Order up here! Two breakfast
burritos, all day.
743
00:24:32,671 --> 00:24:34,739
Two breakfast
burritos, all day.
744
00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:36,741
Oh, my gosh. They just
appeared out of nowhere.
745
00:24:36,842 --> 00:24:38,577
Okay, now we're going to
get our patties.
746
00:24:38,677 --> 00:24:41,580
The main event. We've got
the Big Zac patties here.
747
00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:43,582
(Sizzling)
748
00:24:43,682 --> 00:24:45,784
Oh, no, I broke it.
I broke it already.
749
00:24:45,884 --> 00:24:47,953
I'm sorry, Zach.
I'm sorry.
750
00:24:48,053 --> 00:24:50,455
Right at a minute, we're going
to just flip those over.
751
00:24:50,555 --> 00:24:52,624
I can do that.
Flip! Alright.
752
00:24:52,724 --> 00:24:56,795
(Sizzling)
753
00:24:56,895 --> 00:24:58,296
Nailed that,
I must say.
754
00:24:58,396 --> 00:24:59,464
MAN:
True.
755
00:24:59,564 --> 00:25:01,967
See how quick that was?
It was ninja-like.
756
00:25:02,067 --> 00:25:03,802
We're gonna get this guy
some paperwork here.
757
00:25:03,902 --> 00:25:05,871
Okay, yeah, alright.
Okay, we're done here.
758
00:25:05,971 --> 00:25:07,873
ZACH: Get the one with
the cheese on it.
759
00:25:07,973 --> 00:25:11,710
And then lift that whole
bad boy up and pop it there.
760
00:25:11,810 --> 00:25:13,211
MENA:
Oh, my goodness.
761
00:25:13,311 --> 00:25:15,213
Alright, now carefully we're
going to airlift it to the box.
762
00:25:15,313 --> 00:25:16,882
Airlift.
Okay.
763
00:25:16,982 --> 00:25:19,017
(Makes light wind noises)
764
00:25:19,117 --> 00:25:20,852
You got to-- you got to
do dramatic effects.
765
00:25:20,952 --> 00:25:22,687
ZACH:
Indeed. I agree.
766
00:25:22,787 --> 00:25:24,856
You pop that on there.
767
00:25:24,956 --> 00:25:26,191
MENA:
Alright.
768
00:25:26,291 --> 00:25:28,193
You've done it. You've made
your first Big Zac.
769
00:25:28,293 --> 00:25:29,694
Get this lettuce
out of here.
770
00:25:29,794 --> 00:25:31,863
And, in a moment, we'll go
taste it and see how you did.
771
00:25:31,963 --> 00:25:34,132
MENA: That's the
best part.
772
00:25:35,967 --> 00:25:37,869
The classic booths.
773
00:25:37,969 --> 00:25:39,538
They look like
classic booths,
774
00:25:39,638 --> 00:25:41,706
but they have their own little
Plant Power twist.
775
00:25:41,806 --> 00:25:43,208
Really?
Tell me about 'em.
776
00:25:43,308 --> 00:25:45,043
You'd think they were made from
wood by looking at them,
777
00:25:45,143 --> 00:25:46,545
but they're actually
made from bamboo.
778
00:25:46,645 --> 00:25:47,879
MENA:
Wow. Very nice.
779
00:25:47,979 --> 00:25:49,714
ZACH: We try to help these
other components tie into
780
00:25:49,814 --> 00:25:51,550
what we're doing,
aside from just the food.
781
00:25:51,650 --> 00:25:53,218
You guys have thought about
everything, clearly.
782
00:25:53,318 --> 00:25:54,719
I mean, I've got
the classic shakes.
783
00:25:54,819 --> 00:25:57,222
These take me back to,
you know, when I was a kid;
784
00:25:57,322 --> 00:25:58,723
that nostalgia.
785
00:25:58,823 --> 00:26:00,559
I think that nostalgia
is a part of the fuel
786
00:26:00,659 --> 00:26:02,060
of what we're
doing here.
MENA:
Right.
787
00:26:02,160 --> 00:26:03,895
Because, you know,
I've been vegan, vegetarian
788
00:26:03,995 --> 00:26:05,730
since I was a young kid,
14 or 15.
789
00:26:05,830 --> 00:26:08,233
And, almost selfishly, I--
throughout those years
790
00:26:08,333 --> 00:26:10,068
I missed having that
fast food experience.
791
00:26:10,168 --> 00:26:11,403
MENA: 100%.
792
00:26:11,503 --> 00:26:14,239
So, this is that manifested
yearning of mine.
793
00:26:14,339 --> 00:26:16,074
Alright, I'm going to
dig into my Big Zac,
794
00:26:16,174 --> 00:26:18,076
'cause it's
speaking to me.
795
00:26:18,176 --> 00:26:20,078
What do you think?
796
00:26:20,178 --> 00:26:23,915
♪
797
00:26:24,015 --> 00:26:25,917
You've got the
secret sauce here
798
00:26:26,017 --> 00:26:28,753
that brings you back to
when you were a kid.
799
00:26:28,853 --> 00:26:30,255
It's just a
classic burger,
800
00:26:30,355 --> 00:26:31,923
but now you can have
it plant-based,
801
00:26:32,023 --> 00:26:33,592
which is-- which is
pretty incredible.
802
00:26:33,692 --> 00:26:36,761
Everything is just--
it's perfect.
803
00:26:36,861 --> 00:26:41,433
What makes California
the perfect place
804
00:26:41,533 --> 00:26:43,435
for a concept
like this?
805
00:26:43,535 --> 00:26:45,103
California just seems
to be a couple years
806
00:26:45,203 --> 00:26:46,605
ahead of
most trends.
MENA:
Right.
807
00:26:46,705 --> 00:26:49,341
I sensed that it was just a
market that was primed and ready
808
00:26:49,441 --> 00:26:51,443
for something like
this seven years ago.
809
00:26:51,543 --> 00:26:54,446
Now I think a concept like this
could flourish in many states.
810
00:26:54,546 --> 00:26:57,282
People are ready to start making
the right choices.
811
00:26:57,382 --> 00:27:00,619
I've also got these amazing
plant-based chicken tenders
812
00:27:00,719 --> 00:27:02,120
that I want you
to try, as well.
813
00:27:02,220 --> 00:27:03,455
MENA:
Of course.
814
00:27:03,555 --> 00:27:04,956
You've already got the
dipping sauces opened up,
815
00:27:05,056 --> 00:27:06,458
so you know
the drill.
816
00:27:06,558 --> 00:27:07,959
Actually, let me
try it on its own.
817
00:27:08,059 --> 00:27:09,461
I think that's
important.
818
00:27:09,561 --> 00:27:11,296
Mmm. Mmm.
819
00:27:11,396 --> 00:27:12,864
Crispy, juicy.
820
00:27:12,964 --> 00:27:14,165
Mm!
821
00:27:14,265 --> 00:27:16,368
It's got that seasoning,
you know.
822
00:27:16,468 --> 00:27:17,602
It's tender.
823
00:27:17,702 --> 00:27:20,372
It looks exactly like, you know,
a chicken finger.
824
00:27:20,472 --> 00:27:22,173
♪
825
00:27:22,273 --> 00:27:23,608
Mm.
826
00:27:23,708 --> 00:27:25,110
Those are my son's favourite.
827
00:27:25,210 --> 00:27:27,512
Me and your son would
get along, my friend.
828
00:27:27,612 --> 00:27:29,714
This, when I first
went vegan,
829
00:27:29,814 --> 00:27:31,316
I would
have never imagined
830
00:27:31,416 --> 00:27:33,351
a fast food chain
that was all vegan.
831
00:27:33,451 --> 00:27:35,720
I would never have imagined
that, and now it's here.
832
00:27:35,820 --> 00:27:38,123
It's changing in every way,
shape and form,
833
00:27:38,223 --> 00:27:39,524
and it's such a wonderful thing.
834
00:27:39,624 --> 00:27:41,292
When we started this thing,
people thought we were crazy.
835
00:27:41,393 --> 00:27:44,295
But nowadays, right, with the
advent of Impossible Burger,
836
00:27:44,396 --> 00:27:47,032
Beyond Burger,
it's more commonplace.
837
00:27:47,132 --> 00:27:49,234
and I think there's
just been this stigma
838
00:27:49,334 --> 00:27:50,702
that's been shed recently.
839
00:27:50,802 --> 00:27:54,406
You can be vegan without having
to sacrifice any type of food.
840
00:27:54,506 --> 00:27:57,075
You can have burgers,
fries, shakes, pizza.
841
00:27:57,175 --> 00:27:58,677
I think what you're
doing here is spot on.
842
00:27:58,777 --> 00:28:00,078
I think the world
is ready for this.
843
00:28:00,178 --> 00:28:02,480
I think the world wants this.
844
00:28:02,580 --> 00:28:03,782
It's just a matter of time
845
00:28:03,882 --> 00:28:05,083
before the whole world
starts eating
846
00:28:05,183 --> 00:28:06,484
more plant-based
847
00:28:06,584 --> 00:28:08,353
and evolves towards
a more vegan lifestyle.
848
00:28:08,453 --> 00:28:10,622
So, I think
fast food restaurants
849
00:28:10,722 --> 00:28:11,956
are a part of that.
850
00:28:12,057 --> 00:28:13,391
I thank you for opening this up
851
00:28:13,491 --> 00:28:15,427
because it's something
that I never dreamed
852
00:28:15,527 --> 00:28:17,429
would be possible when
I first went plant based.
853
00:28:17,529 --> 00:28:18,963
And now we're here.
854
00:28:19,064 --> 00:28:21,099
And this is just
the starting point,
855
00:28:21,199 --> 00:28:24,703
where burgers and fries
are gonna change the world.
856
00:28:24,803 --> 00:28:28,573
♪
857
00:28:28,673 --> 00:28:30,275
La La Land.
858
00:28:30,375 --> 00:28:32,844
What is it about
this city and California
859
00:28:32,944 --> 00:28:35,847
that consistently innovates
and leads the charge forward?
860
00:28:35,947 --> 00:28:40,652
Well, why not tap someone
who is 100% OG LA to find out:
861
00:28:40,752 --> 00:28:43,521
Laura Marano, actor, singer,
862
00:28:43,621 --> 00:28:47,058
and my lovely co-star
in our romantic comedy film,
863
00:28:47,158 --> 00:28:49,394
The Royal Treatment.
864
00:28:49,494 --> 00:28:52,464
As my non-vegan friend,
we can get real.
865
00:28:52,564 --> 00:28:54,899
I wanted to see what
a homegrown LA movie star
866
00:28:54,999 --> 00:28:57,635
would think of elevated
plant-based fine dining.
867
00:28:57,736 --> 00:29:00,105
So, I'm bringing her
to Plant Food + Wine
868
00:29:00,205 --> 00:29:02,707
in Venice,
an all-organic eatery
869
00:29:02,807 --> 00:29:05,376
created by renowned vegan
restaurateur Matthew Kenney,
870
00:29:05,477 --> 00:29:10,115
where guests dine under these
beautiful fruit trees.
871
00:29:10,215 --> 00:29:11,683
How often do you go here?
872
00:29:11,783 --> 00:29:12,684
Pretty often.
873
00:29:12,784 --> 00:29:13,918
Really?
874
00:29:14,018 --> 00:29:14,919
Yeah, pretty often.
875
00:29:15,019 --> 00:29:15,920
I didn't know that.
876
00:29:16,020 --> 00:29:17,188
Okay, so fun fact actually.
877
00:29:17,288 --> 00:29:18,256
When I moved
to Los Angeles,
878
00:29:18,356 --> 00:29:19,624
um, I didn't have
a lot of money.
879
00:29:19,724 --> 00:29:20,859
Hmm.
880
00:29:20,959 --> 00:29:22,527
And I was starting to stress out
about the money
881
00:29:22,627 --> 00:29:24,195
I had saved from Toronto,
882
00:29:24,295 --> 00:29:26,131
and, Plant Food + Wine,
I came in,
883
00:29:26,231 --> 00:29:27,565
and handed in my resume
884
00:29:27,665 --> 00:29:28,933
to try to get
a bussing job here.
885
00:29:29,033 --> 00:29:29,934
Stop!
886
00:29:30,034 --> 00:29:31,069
MENA: Yeah.
887
00:29:31,169 --> 00:29:32,170
And it didn't happen?
888
00:29:32,270 --> 00:29:34,339
No, so I applied
and then, two weeks later,
889
00:29:34,439 --> 00:29:36,207
I'm booked Jack Ryan,
and then the--
890
00:29:36,307 --> 00:29:37,709
And then the rest is history.
891
00:29:37,809 --> 00:29:39,210
MENA: And then
the rest is history.
892
00:29:39,310 --> 00:29:41,579
♪
893
00:29:41,679 --> 00:29:46,785
Up first, tikka curry leaf
yogurt with potato flatbread.
894
00:29:46,885 --> 00:29:48,853
LAURA: Oh, I am very excited
right now.
895
00:29:48,953 --> 00:29:50,388
Boom. This is a yogurt?
896
00:29:50,488 --> 00:29:51,389
Yeah, yeah.
897
00:29:51,489 --> 00:29:52,390
Ooh!
898
00:29:52,490 --> 00:29:53,391
There you go.
899
00:29:53,491 --> 00:29:54,526
LAURA: Yes.
900
00:29:54,626 --> 00:29:55,927
Yes, a nice appetizer
to get us started.
901
00:29:56,027 --> 00:29:57,128
I-- It was so pretty,
902
00:29:57,228 --> 00:29:59,497
and I just made it look
so ugly in two seconds.
903
00:29:59,597 --> 00:30:01,099
No, no, no.
904
00:30:01,199 --> 00:30:02,767
No, that's it.
That's the nature of food.
905
00:30:02,867 --> 00:30:04,335
I feel-- I am so excited.
906
00:30:04,435 --> 00:30:05,737
(Chuckling)
907
00:30:05,837 --> 00:30:06,905
Mm.
908
00:30:07,005 --> 00:30:08,606
Yeah, and you haven't
been here before.
909
00:30:08,706 --> 00:30:09,941
I haven't been here before.
910
00:30:10,041 --> 00:30:11,576
Oh, my god.
911
00:30:11,676 --> 00:30:12,977
It's good, huh?
912
00:30:13,077 --> 00:30:14,479
Oh, my god!
913
00:30:14,579 --> 00:30:17,382
♪
914
00:30:17,482 --> 00:30:18,650
(Laughing)
915
00:30:18,750 --> 00:30:19,717
So you grew up in LA?
916
00:30:19,818 --> 00:30:20,785
I grew up in LA.
917
00:30:20,885 --> 00:30:21,853
And you were born in LA?
918
00:30:21,953 --> 00:30:22,921
I was born in LA.
919
00:30:23,021 --> 00:30:24,856
So you're
what we call an Angelina.
920
00:30:24,956 --> 00:30:26,491
I am an Angelina!
921
00:30:26,591 --> 00:30:27,826
An Angelina.
922
00:30:27,926 --> 00:30:29,861
So what do you think
of the food scene here?
923
00:30:29,961 --> 00:30:31,462
Controversial maybe:
924
00:30:31,563 --> 00:30:38,136
I think LA is one of the best,
if not the best
925
00:30:38,236 --> 00:30:39,504
food city in the world.
926
00:30:39,604 --> 00:30:41,306
But I want I want--
I wanna explain my position.
927
00:30:41,406 --> 00:30:43,074
I certainly think
there are other cities
928
00:30:43,174 --> 00:30:45,710
that have incredible
types of food.
929
00:30:45,810 --> 00:30:48,813
I think, LA, you have the best
type of food
930
00:30:48,913 --> 00:30:51,015
with the most variety of food.
931
00:30:51,115 --> 00:30:52,851
You have such great
Mexican food.
932
00:30:52,951 --> 00:30:55,320
You have-- Thai food
I think is really great here.
933
00:30:55,420 --> 00:30:57,255
This is the most delicious thing
I've ever had, ever.
934
00:30:57,355 --> 00:30:58,523
This is also--
935
00:30:58,623 --> 00:31:01,226
Getting out of hand,
literally.
936
00:31:01,326 --> 00:31:02,493
(Laughing)
937
00:31:02,594 --> 00:31:04,229
That was very, very good.
938
00:31:04,329 --> 00:31:06,731
(Indistinct chatter)
939
00:31:06,831 --> 00:31:08,166
Yeah, I moved to LA in 2017.
940
00:31:08,266 --> 00:31:09,834
Yeah.
941
00:31:09,934 --> 00:31:11,402
I had gone plant based
before that,
942
00:31:11,502 --> 00:31:13,538
but, like, coming to LA and
being plant based here,
943
00:31:13,638 --> 00:31:16,040
I was, like, blown away
by the amount of options
944
00:31:16,140 --> 00:31:17,508
there were.
945
00:31:17,609 --> 00:31:19,410
I'm gonna take another extra
piece of bread to really just--
946
00:31:19,510 --> 00:31:21,446
Yeah, please, go for it. Just
make it into a sandwich now.
947
00:31:21,546 --> 00:31:22,547
Yes, I really am.
948
00:31:22,647 --> 00:31:23,915
It's what you've gotta do.
949
00:31:24,015 --> 00:31:27,085
I can see it's, like, really--
You're battling with it.
950
00:31:27,185 --> 00:31:28,286
I am.
951
00:31:28,386 --> 00:31:29,821
You're trying to figure
out how to eat this.
952
00:31:29,921 --> 00:31:31,089
But, but it's a really
beautiful battle.
953
00:31:31,189 --> 00:31:33,358
What I was saying was,
was it always like--
954
00:31:33,458 --> 00:31:35,059
Has it always been like this?
955
00:31:35,159 --> 00:31:38,363
Because I feel like people in LA
have been vegan for 100 years.
956
00:31:38,463 --> 00:31:40,498
I don't think
that's wrong to say.
957
00:31:40,598 --> 00:31:42,467
I think there's
a lot of truth to it.
958
00:31:42,567 --> 00:31:44,135
I do think there
was a shift in, like,
959
00:31:44,235 --> 00:31:46,404
the early 2000s,
mid 2000s,
960
00:31:46,504 --> 00:31:47,939
of that it became
a bit more popular here.
961
00:31:48,039 --> 00:31:49,040
MENA: Yeah.
962
00:31:49,140 --> 00:31:50,708
LAURA: I do feel
like a lot of people
963
00:31:50,808 --> 00:31:51,876
become vegan and plant based,
964
00:31:51,976 --> 00:31:54,012
not just for
social justice reasons,
965
00:31:54,112 --> 00:31:55,546
but also for health reasons.
966
00:31:55,647 --> 00:31:56,581
MENA: 100%.
967
00:31:56,681 --> 00:31:57,715
LAURA: And that,
I think, culture
968
00:31:57,815 --> 00:31:59,117
is, like, huge in LA.
969
00:31:59,217 --> 00:32:01,519
And that culture, I think,
has always been here
970
00:32:01,619 --> 00:32:05,290
but, like, very much
increased in the 2000s.
971
00:32:05,390 --> 00:32:08,860
MENA: Next: an heirloom tomato
and zucchini lasagna
972
00:32:08,960 --> 00:32:10,929
with pesto
and plant based ricotta.
973
00:32:11,029 --> 00:32:13,398
This is our take
on Italian food.
974
00:32:13,498 --> 00:32:16,000
You had me at "This is
our take on Italian food."
975
00:32:16,100 --> 00:32:17,235
I'm like--
I'm ready to go.
976
00:32:17,335 --> 00:32:18,970
Yeah, Laura's Italian.
Laura's Italian.
977
00:32:19,070 --> 00:32:20,038
Yeah, I'm so excited.
978
00:32:20,138 --> 00:32:22,340
It's so good,
and it looks really good.
979
00:32:22,440 --> 00:32:23,708
Do you feel like
there's other places
980
00:32:23,808 --> 00:32:27,111
that are as health
conscious as LA,
981
00:32:27,211 --> 00:32:30,081
in a less obnoxious way
or more obnoxious way or--
982
00:32:30,181 --> 00:32:31,883
No, no.
983
00:32:31,983 --> 00:32:33,017
Really?
984
00:32:33,117 --> 00:32:34,385
No, health, no.
Health conscious wise, no.
985
00:32:34,485 --> 00:32:38,022
I feel like people just are
really conscious
986
00:32:38,122 --> 00:32:39,590
about their health here,
987
00:32:39,691 --> 00:32:40,725
the way they look,
988
00:32:40,825 --> 00:32:42,894
but that doesn't say
that it has--
989
00:32:42,994 --> 00:32:44,829
it has or doesn't have
the best vegan scene.
990
00:32:44,929 --> 00:32:46,264
Hmm.
991
00:32:46,364 --> 00:32:47,999
It's just, when you're talking
about health-wise,
992
00:32:48,099 --> 00:32:50,001
yeah, I feel like people here
really take care
993
00:32:50,101 --> 00:32:51,235
of what they eat,
994
00:32:51,336 --> 00:32:53,905
what they put into their bodies,
the fitness, yoga.
995
00:32:54,005 --> 00:32:56,207
Like, don't they do the yoga
here with the with the goats?
996
00:32:56,307 --> 00:32:57,909
I know exactly
what you're talking about.
997
00:32:58,009 --> 00:32:59,110
I've never done it.
998
00:32:59,210 --> 00:33:00,545
You do them with goats.
999
00:33:00,645 --> 00:33:02,347
So you're doing downward dog,
1000
00:33:02,447 --> 00:33:04,482
and there's goats that jump on
your back and stuff,
1001
00:33:04,582 --> 00:33:06,584
and apparently
it's better for you.
1002
00:33:06,684 --> 00:33:07,952
I want to do yoga with goats.
1003
00:33:08,052 --> 00:33:09,821
And you know why you can?
Because you live in LA.
1004
00:33:09,921 --> 00:33:12,123
I live in LA!
1005
00:33:12,223 --> 00:33:13,758
♪
1006
00:33:13,858 --> 00:33:15,159
I don't know
if we talked about this,
1007
00:33:15,259 --> 00:33:16,728
but I started doing a campaign
1008
00:33:16,828 --> 00:33:18,129
when I was a teenager called
Meatless Monday.
1009
00:33:18,229 --> 00:33:19,564
Okay.
1010
00:33:19,664 --> 00:33:21,566
And essentially it's just not
eating meat for one day a week.
1011
00:33:21,666 --> 00:33:22,767
Yeah, on Mondays.
1012
00:33:22,867 --> 00:33:24,469
Yes, but it could
be any day of the week.
1013
00:33:24,569 --> 00:33:25,670
It doesn't necessarily
have to be Monday.
1014
00:33:25,770 --> 00:33:27,405
So that's still something
that you try to do?
1015
00:33:27,505 --> 00:33:28,773
Yeah, oh, yeah.
1016
00:33:28,873 --> 00:33:30,775
I've done it every year since,
god, what, I've been 16.
1017
00:33:30,875 --> 00:33:34,412
I started more for
social justice reasons
1018
00:33:34,512 --> 00:33:36,581
and more particularly
with climate change.
1019
00:33:36,681 --> 00:33:39,083
There are just
so many positive aspects,
1020
00:33:39,183 --> 00:33:41,452
and it was just not eating meat
for one day a week.
1021
00:33:41,552 --> 00:33:43,354
MENA: It's good to hear this.
1022
00:33:43,454 --> 00:33:46,090
One of the things LA is proving
1023
00:33:46,190 --> 00:33:47,892
is that there's a way
to evolve our diets
1024
00:33:47,992 --> 00:33:52,430
without sacrificing taste
or quality or... anything.
1025
00:33:52,530 --> 00:33:53,865
Oh, wow.
1026
00:33:53,965 --> 00:33:54,866
Mm, mm!
1027
00:33:54,966 --> 00:33:55,933
Look at that!
1028
00:33:56,034 --> 00:33:57,168
Oh my god.
1029
00:33:57,268 --> 00:33:58,903
Now, that looks
like a piece of art.
1030
00:33:59,003 --> 00:33:59,904
What is it?
1031
00:34:00,004 --> 00:34:01,005
It actually does,
actually.
1032
00:34:01,105 --> 00:34:02,440
Deconstructed coconut pie,
1033
00:34:02,540 --> 00:34:03,674
banana ice cream
and coconut ice cream.
1034
00:34:03,775 --> 00:34:04,809
Please enjoy.
1035
00:34:04,909 --> 00:34:05,910
Thank you so much.
1036
00:34:06,010 --> 00:34:06,911
Thank you.
1037
00:34:07,011 --> 00:34:08,846
♪
1038
00:34:08,946 --> 00:34:10,848
Mm! It was so good.
1039
00:34:10,948 --> 00:34:12,116
So how did you find this food?
1040
00:34:12,216 --> 00:34:13,785
Because you typically
are picky.
1041
00:34:13,885 --> 00:34:15,286
So how was this food
for you?
1042
00:34:15,386 --> 00:34:16,921
I mean, I enjoyed
this thoroughly,
1043
00:34:17,021 --> 00:34:17,922
and I feel like it's because
1044
00:34:18,022 --> 00:34:20,925
it all is quite
simple ingredients.
1045
00:34:21,025 --> 00:34:22,794
Would you come back here?
1046
00:34:22,894 --> 00:34:24,062
I would 100% come back.
1047
00:34:24,162 --> 00:34:25,296
I really would.
It's really good.
1048
00:34:25,396 --> 00:34:26,464
Okay, good.
1049
00:34:26,564 --> 00:34:28,332
I mean, it's so far away
from where I live, so.
1050
00:34:28,433 --> 00:34:30,134
Oh, my gosh!
Everybody says that in LA!
1051
00:34:30,234 --> 00:34:31,135
(Laughs)
1052
00:34:31,235 --> 00:34:32,703
♪
1053
00:34:32,804 --> 00:34:34,238
Cheers.
1054
00:34:34,338 --> 00:34:35,239
Cheers!
1055
00:34:35,339 --> 00:34:36,808
Thank you for taking
me here.
1056
00:34:36,908 --> 00:34:38,042
Of course.
You're welcome.
1057
00:34:38,142 --> 00:34:39,043
This is so lovely.
1058
00:34:39,143 --> 00:34:40,278
You're welcome.
I'll remember--
1059
00:34:40,378 --> 00:34:43,314
Did I, uh--
Was I cool?
1060
00:34:43,414 --> 00:34:44,882
No, you were cool.
You were cool.
1061
00:34:44,982 --> 00:34:45,917
Royally cool, Laura.
1062
00:34:46,017 --> 00:34:47,618
You're the perfect
example of a person
1063
00:34:47,718 --> 00:34:49,554
with an open mind
to an evolving diet.
1064
00:34:49,654 --> 00:34:51,222
I hope you make it back.
1065
00:34:51,322 --> 00:34:53,558
Meatless Monday's
always calling.
1066
00:34:53,658 --> 00:34:56,027
♪
1067
00:34:56,127 --> 00:34:58,196
The last spot on our food crawl.
1068
00:34:58,296 --> 00:35:00,398
You simply can't talk
about the food scene in LA
1069
00:35:00,498 --> 00:35:02,667
without talking about
the deep influence
1070
00:35:02,767 --> 00:35:05,403
that traditional Mexican
cooking bears on the city.
1071
00:35:05,503 --> 00:35:08,506
Sandwiched between
a nail salon and a pharmacy
1072
00:35:08,606 --> 00:35:11,342
are LA's best tacos,
El Cocinero.
1073
00:35:11,442 --> 00:35:19,851
♪
1074
00:35:19,951 --> 00:35:22,553
On a regular day, there's
a line up down the block
1075
00:35:22,653 --> 00:35:26,023
of Valley locals and celebs
like Zendaya and Tobey Maguire.
1076
00:35:26,124 --> 00:35:29,260
It's run by Chef Alex Vargas
who's building an empire
1077
00:35:29,360 --> 00:35:31,195
out of authentic
vegan Mexican food.
1078
00:35:31,295 --> 00:35:32,964
♪
1079
00:35:33,064 --> 00:35:34,298
Alex!
What's going on, my man?
1080
00:35:34,398 --> 00:35:35,366
ALEX: Hey, Mena.
What's up, man?
1081
00:35:35,466 --> 00:35:36,901
Welcome to El Cocinero.
1082
00:35:37,001 --> 00:35:38,202
Thank you, man.
How you doing?
1083
00:35:38,302 --> 00:35:39,804
I'm doing good.
I'm doing good.
1084
00:35:39,904 --> 00:35:41,439
I see you got the usuals, right.
1085
00:35:41,539 --> 00:35:44,175
We got the pastor,
the carne asada,
1086
00:35:44,275 --> 00:35:46,344
the Chicharrón,
and another carne asada.
1087
00:35:46,444 --> 00:35:47,445
This is fairly new.
1088
00:35:47,545 --> 00:35:48,613
ALEX: Carne asada.
Yeah, this is brand-new.
1089
00:35:48,713 --> 00:35:50,114
Yeah, I got everything.
See, I come in often.
1090
00:35:50,214 --> 00:35:51,949
You know everything, bro.
Mena:
I know how to do this.
1091
00:35:52,049 --> 00:35:53,584
Do you know what
my favourite taco is here?
1092
00:35:53,684 --> 00:35:54,785
Uh, pastor or Chicharrón.
1093
00:35:54,886 --> 00:35:55,987
Pastor!
Yeah, man.
1094
00:35:56,087 --> 00:35:57,155
ALEX:
Pastor, all right.
1095
00:35:57,255 --> 00:35:59,223
So when I first went
plant-based, I loved--
1096
00:35:59,323 --> 00:36:00,491
you know, I loved pastor.
1097
00:36:00,591 --> 00:36:02,426
Typically,
for people who don't know,
1098
00:36:02,527 --> 00:36:05,329
pastor is a double
marinated pork,
1099
00:36:05,429 --> 00:36:08,666
you usually cut it up on
a skewer, kind of like shawarma,
1100
00:36:08,766 --> 00:36:10,668
but it's like the Mexican
shawarma, I say.
1101
00:36:10,768 --> 00:36:12,904
That's right.
Yeah, with the raw pineapple.
1102
00:36:13,004 --> 00:36:14,672
Yeah.
Raw pineapple, red onions.
1103
00:36:14,772 --> 00:36:15,840
Delicious.
1104
00:36:15,940 --> 00:36:17,341
So I had a really hard time
finding that.
1105
00:36:17,441 --> 00:36:18,776
ALEX:
Okay.
1106
00:36:18,876 --> 00:36:21,112
MENA: And this was kind of the
first place I found it, and I--
1107
00:36:21,212 --> 00:36:22,380
it was love at first sight.
1108
00:36:22,480 --> 00:36:27,051
Yeah, that's my family recipe
from my mom, my grandma.
1109
00:36:27,151 --> 00:36:29,854
So, it's a special recipe that
we used to use
1110
00:36:29,954 --> 00:36:31,255
with a regular meat.
1111
00:36:31,355 --> 00:36:33,791
So when I became vegan,
I started using the same adobo,
1112
00:36:33,891 --> 00:36:37,895
but I did some modification
and people love it.
1113
00:36:37,995 --> 00:36:40,131
And the Chicharrón,
you deep fry that soy?
1114
00:36:40,231 --> 00:36:42,366
Because typically Chicharrón
is deep fried pork skin.
1115
00:36:42,466 --> 00:36:43,568
ALEX:
Yes.
1116
00:36:43,668 --> 00:36:47,004
I did that one because my dad,
he's not vegan,
1117
00:36:47,104 --> 00:36:50,641
so I started experimenting
with different soys
1118
00:36:50,741 --> 00:36:52,343
until I find the right way.
1119
00:36:52,443 --> 00:36:53,678
And I give him to try,
1120
00:36:53,778 --> 00:36:55,846
he was one of the first persons
to try it, he love it.
1121
00:36:55,947 --> 00:36:57,014
And he's like,
1122
00:36:57,114 --> 00:36:58,349
"No, this is better than
the real Chicharrón."
1123
00:36:58,449 --> 00:36:59,584
Wow!
1124
00:36:59,684 --> 00:37:02,286
So coming that, from my dad,
it really means a lot.
1125
00:37:02,386 --> 00:37:03,654
You're getting me hungry, man.
1126
00:37:03,754 --> 00:37:04,655
(Laughs)
1127
00:37:04,755 --> 00:37:05,823
MENA:
Let's dig into some of this.
1128
00:37:05,923 --> 00:37:06,824
ALEX:
Let's do this.
1129
00:37:06,924 --> 00:37:07,825
(Laughter)
1130
00:37:07,925 --> 00:37:11,629
♪
1131
00:37:11,729 --> 00:37:13,464
Right now, I'm gonna teach you
how to be a taquiero.
1132
00:37:13,564 --> 00:37:14,465
MENA: Okay.
All right.
1133
00:37:14,565 --> 00:37:16,601
Taquiero, it's--
people who make tacos.
1134
00:37:16,701 --> 00:37:17,602
That's the word that we use.
1135
00:37:17,702 --> 00:37:18,669
MENA: The taquiero.
Okay.
1136
00:37:18,769 --> 00:37:20,004
So, you're going to be
Mena the Taquiero.
1137
00:37:20,104 --> 00:37:21,272
MENA: All right.
I'm down.
1138
00:37:21,372 --> 00:37:23,274
ALEX: Let's do the pastor
on the tortillas.
1139
00:37:23,374 --> 00:37:24,308
MENA:
All right.
1140
00:37:24,408 --> 00:37:26,377
So the second one
is going to be the asada,
1141
00:37:26,477 --> 00:37:28,446
and it's like the steak.
1142
00:37:28,546 --> 00:37:29,947
MENA: Look at that, too.
Like, it's hard to...
1143
00:37:30,047 --> 00:37:31,215
ALEX:
The texture.
1144
00:37:31,315 --> 00:37:32,883
MENA: Yeah, it's hard to believe
that this isn't steak.
1145
00:37:32,984 --> 00:37:34,518
I don't think anyone
that walks in here
1146
00:37:34,619 --> 00:37:36,220
would be able to tell
that this was plant-based.
1147
00:37:36,320 --> 00:37:38,789
♪
1148
00:37:38,889 --> 00:37:40,024
Got the Chicharrón here.
1149
00:37:40,124 --> 00:37:42,026
On the Chicharrón,
we use a pico de gallo.
1150
00:37:42,126 --> 00:37:45,396
That's the pico de gallo, which
is tomato, onions and cilantro.
1151
00:37:45,496 --> 00:37:49,867
For the asada and pastor,
we use cilantro and onions.
1152
00:37:49,967 --> 00:37:50,868
MENA:
So what goes on next?
1153
00:37:50,968 --> 00:37:52,103
Chipotle mayo.
All right.
1154
00:37:52,203 --> 00:37:53,671
To give a special flavour.
1155
00:37:53,771 --> 00:37:56,607
On the other two tacos,
two different sauces.
1156
00:37:56,707 --> 00:37:59,076
I think for my carne asada,
I'm going to do some crazy...
1157
00:37:59,176 --> 00:38:02,013
salsa verde and a little bit
of salsa roja.
1158
00:38:02,113 --> 00:38:03,748
So, what I love
about this place
1159
00:38:03,848 --> 00:38:06,517
is that you can use
all the proteins here
1160
00:38:06,617 --> 00:38:09,053
to make all the different kinds
of things you guys offer here:
1161
00:38:09,153 --> 00:38:12,290
quesadillas, burrito bowls,
tortas, tacos, nachos,
1162
00:38:12,390 --> 00:38:13,291
all of it.
1163
00:38:13,391 --> 00:38:14,325
ALEX:
Right.
1164
00:38:14,425 --> 00:38:15,760
We have seven
different proteins.
1165
00:38:15,860 --> 00:38:18,162
So, would you say
I was an okay taquiero?
1166
00:38:18,262 --> 00:38:19,797
Man, you did a great job.
1167
00:38:19,897 --> 00:38:21,465
And since you live
10 minutes away,
1168
00:38:21,565 --> 00:38:23,768
maybe when somebody take
the day off...
1169
00:38:23,868 --> 00:38:25,202
you're ready to
come help us, bro.
1170
00:38:25,303 --> 00:38:26,270
Yeah.
Just call me, man.
1171
00:38:26,370 --> 00:38:27,271
Just call me.
1172
00:38:27,371 --> 00:38:29,774
♪
1173
00:38:29,874 --> 00:38:30,808
I'm gonna take a bite...
1174
00:38:30,908 --> 00:38:31,876
ALEX:
Yeah, go ahead.
1175
00:38:31,976 --> 00:38:33,010
...because I've been missing
these tacos.
1176
00:38:33,110 --> 00:38:34,745
I dream about these tacos, Alex.
1177
00:38:34,845 --> 00:38:36,514
(Alex chuckles)
1178
00:38:36,614 --> 00:38:39,884
The pastor,
it's literally the soy
1179
00:38:39,984 --> 00:38:42,987
with the special marinade salsa
that we do
1180
00:38:43,087 --> 00:38:44,922
with the little chunks
of pineapple.
1181
00:38:45,022 --> 00:38:47,625
It's fire, man.
Mmm .
1182
00:38:47,725 --> 00:38:50,294
You get that sweetness,
a little bit of crunch
1183
00:38:50,394 --> 00:38:52,263
and kick from the onion.
1184
00:38:52,363 --> 00:38:54,198
It's delicious.
1185
00:38:54,298 --> 00:38:55,800
ALEX: Nice.
(Chuckles)
1186
00:38:55,900 --> 00:38:57,968
Obviously Mexican cuisine,
a lot like Egyptian,
1187
00:38:58,069 --> 00:38:59,236
meat heavy, right?
1188
00:38:59,337 --> 00:39:02,340
So you grew up, I'm sure,
in a meat heavy household.
1189
00:39:02,440 --> 00:39:05,976
I love animals,
and it was not worth it for me
1190
00:39:06,077 --> 00:39:09,146
to enjoy just, like,
two minutes of eating meat
1191
00:39:09,246 --> 00:39:12,717
for what they, they-- all these
animals they go through.
1192
00:39:12,817 --> 00:39:14,352
That's a interesting way
to put it.
1193
00:39:14,452 --> 00:39:15,353
I haven't heard that yet.
1194
00:39:15,453 --> 00:39:16,821
But you're so right.
1195
00:39:16,921 --> 00:39:19,790
Eating is such a passive act
for some people
1196
00:39:19,890 --> 00:39:21,292
that they don't think about it
at all, naturally,
1197
00:39:21,392 --> 00:39:22,293
because we eat, like...
1198
00:39:22,393 --> 00:39:23,461
Right.
1199
00:39:23,561 --> 00:39:24,795
MENA: ...throughout the day,
three times a day.
1200
00:39:24,895 --> 00:39:26,230
ALEX:
Yes.
But you're right.
1201
00:39:26,330 --> 00:39:27,832
It's like two minutes of eating
for satisfaction
1202
00:39:27,932 --> 00:39:30,968
for this whole life
that the animal has lived.
1203
00:39:31,068 --> 00:39:32,203
ALEX:
Yes.
1204
00:39:32,303 --> 00:39:34,739
And you basically just consume
that in two minutes.
1205
00:39:34,839 --> 00:39:39,276
In a way, El Cocinero grew out
of Alex's early struggles
1206
00:39:39,377 --> 00:39:40,978
to eat and cook vegan.
1207
00:39:41,078 --> 00:39:43,681
But I didn't have any knowledge
on what to cook.
1208
00:39:43,781 --> 00:39:46,784
So, I started playing with--
with the soy,
1209
00:39:46,884 --> 00:39:48,452
and it was like,
wait a minute,
1210
00:39:48,552 --> 00:39:52,790
I can still enjoy,
like, pastor, asada.
1211
00:39:52,890 --> 00:39:56,527
And I start calling my mom,
"Hey, Mom, how you make this?
1212
00:39:56,627 --> 00:39:58,095
I put everything together.
1213
00:39:58,195 --> 00:40:01,766
That's when I discovered that,
like, the passion
1214
00:40:01,866 --> 00:40:04,268
for the kitchen,
for-- to cook.
1215
00:40:04,368 --> 00:40:06,137
MENA: I'm sure that
when you started cooking,
1216
00:40:06,237 --> 00:40:08,105
it was also because
it was your way
1217
00:40:08,205 --> 00:40:09,306
to connect back to your mom.
1218
00:40:09,407 --> 00:40:10,307
ALEX:
Yes.
1219
00:40:10,408 --> 00:40:11,475
MENA:
Right?
1220
00:40:11,575 --> 00:40:13,644
I see my community,
especially in my community,
1221
00:40:13,744 --> 00:40:16,013
the way that they eat
is not healthy.
1222
00:40:16,113 --> 00:40:19,817
So I-- that's why I wanted to
bring this to my community.
1223
00:40:19,917 --> 00:40:23,687
Having a plant-based option
is very important
1224
00:40:23,788 --> 00:40:25,289
to have here
in the Valley.
1225
00:40:25,389 --> 00:40:26,857
Yeah, I call them
vegan deadzones,
1226
00:40:26,957 --> 00:40:28,692
where there's not a lot of
plant-based options,
1227
00:40:28,793 --> 00:40:30,161
and the valley is definitely
one of those.
1228
00:40:30,261 --> 00:40:32,797
But people literally now
come from West Hollywood,
1229
00:40:32,897 --> 00:40:33,798
Beverly Hills...
1230
00:40:33,898 --> 00:40:34,832
ALEX:
From everywhere, yeah.
1231
00:40:34,932 --> 00:40:36,667
From everywhere to come
try your tacos.
1232
00:40:36,767 --> 00:40:40,371
I'm super proud of you, as like,
a person of colour as well.
1233
00:40:40,471 --> 00:40:43,073
So to see you and see what
you've built over the years,
1234
00:40:43,174 --> 00:40:44,341
come here when you were 16,
1235
00:40:44,442 --> 00:40:45,776
started working right away,
1236
00:40:45,876 --> 00:40:47,945
and see you build
this kind of concept.
1237
00:40:48,045 --> 00:40:50,881
You know, I'm proud of LA that
it embraces people like us
1238
00:40:50,981 --> 00:40:53,417
and allows us to kind of build
businesses like this
1239
00:40:53,517 --> 00:40:55,719
and have a real shot at making
something of ourselves.
1240
00:40:55,820 --> 00:40:58,222
Taco cheers to you,
to El Cocinero,
1241
00:40:58,322 --> 00:40:59,857
and to the next chapter
1242
00:40:59,957 --> 00:41:01,692
because I know you're only
gonna get bigger and bigger.
1243
00:41:01,792 --> 00:41:02,827
Thank you.
Thank you.
1244
00:41:02,927 --> 00:41:03,828
MENA:
Cheers.
1245
00:41:03,928 --> 00:41:06,964
♪
1246
00:41:07,064 --> 00:41:07,965
Mmm.
1247
00:41:08,065 --> 00:41:10,167
♪
1248
00:41:10,267 --> 00:41:13,370
Alex, I know your first
restaurant won't be your last.
1249
00:41:13,471 --> 00:41:16,106
You and the rest of the
local trendsetters here
1250
00:41:16,207 --> 00:41:20,044
are going to change the way we
eat and it's already happening.
1251
00:41:20,144 --> 00:41:21,245
You're leading the charge,
1252
00:41:21,345 --> 00:41:23,647
and LA's infamous out there
thinking is creating
1253
00:41:23,747 --> 00:41:26,116
a revolution in food.
1254
00:41:26,217 --> 00:41:29,420
Bringing a new focus to health,
wellness, and the planet.
1255
00:41:29,520 --> 00:41:33,290
So thank you, LA,
for helping me chase my dreams
1256
00:41:33,390 --> 00:41:34,992
and showing us the way forward.
1257
00:41:35,092 --> 00:41:37,595
The future looks delicious.
1258
00:41:37,695 --> 00:41:47,605
♪
1259
00:41:47,705 --> 00:41:57,615
♪
1260
00:41:57,715 --> 00:42:05,489
♪
1261
00:42:05,589 --> 00:42:08,192
(Tape winding)
1262
00:42:08,292 --> 00:42:11,095
(Musical flourish)
1263
00:42:11,195 --> 00:42:12,930
(Silence)
151706
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.