In this episode of the Plant-Based Canada Podcast, we talk to chef Ikeila Wright, former owner of the long-standing vegan Caribbean restaurant One Love Vegetarian in Toronto.
When Ikeila decided to leave the world of meat behind and enter the plant kingdom, her Life changed. Everything she learned about cooking and the restaurant industry went totally out the window. In the process, Ikeila not only had to learn to emphasize taste… but also manipulate texture, timing, and temperature to create food that was pleasing to the palette without the aid of meat, dairy, eggs, or refined products.
In between raising children and catering, Ikeila and her family became known as food vendors at many major Toronto outdoor festivals. They spent many summers vending at The Harbourfront Centre where their One Love Corn Soup and Seasoned Corn received rave reviews. This included two appearances on The Food Network courtesy of ‘The Christine Cushing Live Show’.
In 2009, with the support of her children, the One Love Vegetarian Restaurant was born.
One Love Vegetarian remained at the forefront of the Toronto Vegetarian scene for over a decade before shutting down in 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ikeila is now cooking up extraordinary meals as a private chef and caterer.
Podcast Resources
Ikeila's Website