Gemma Anglada, from “Veganitza’t”: “It offers a world of possibilities, it is pure alchemy”.

Llibertat.cat. Saturday 12th March 2022.

Gemma Anglada, from “Veganitza’t”: It offers a world of possibilities, it is pure alchemy.

03.12.2022. Interviews.

An interview to Gemma Anglada, a cook, and in charge of Veganitza’t (Avinguda Costa Brava, 18, at Corçà, on the Road of Palamós).

Translator: N.N.

Photo: Risotto of red cabbage with pistachios and Vegetal cheese crunchy. Source: Veganitza’t.

–Veganitza’t is a vegan restaurant at Corçà, in the Baix Empordà. When did you start this project?–

–On 26th March it made just one year.–

–And why only vegan?–

–Veganism is not a diet, it is a life style, and we are faithful to our essence.–

–And which are the implications of veganism, beyond food?–

–As I was telling you, it is not just not eating any animal product (meat, dairy products, eggs, nor honey), we don’t either use anything from animal origin, clothing (wool, silk, leather...) nor any product coming from experimentation, etc.

We do not accept the way animals are being treated.–

–So you consider yourself also an animalist?–

–Yes, of course, I fight for their rights and I consider them as our equals.–

Photo: Hummus with roasted spiced chick-peas. Source: Veganitza’t.

–«Gnocchi a la puttanesca», «Risotto of red cabbage», «Croquettes of young onions (calçots) and sweet potatoes»... and many desserts with many different shapes, flavours and colours. Where do you get such imagination?–

–I have always liked cooking, and when I made the move to veganism I discovered a whole world of possibilities, it is pure alchemy.

I enjoy a lot being faced with challenges, many customers ask for things such as «foie» or vegetal «egg» («rust»), and when I achieve it I always feel thrilled.–

Photo: Above: Ivy with pineapple and dried fruits. Beneath: Risotto of red cabbage with sweet potato chips and Violet sweet potato. Source: Veganitza’t.

–Desserts play an important role in the offer of Veganitza’t: is there a creative and arts factor beyond that of just food? Are there customers who choose cakes and other desserts just because of their appearance?–

–Yes, I have always liked art, painting, and cooking is creativity.

Yes, customers often don’t believe their eyes when they see, for example, a pavlova cake with meringue and cream, without eggs, nor milk products, it is amusing.

And when they taste them and say – oooh, mmmm –, it is my best prize.–

Photo: A matcha tea cake and raspberries. Source: Veganitza’t.

–And how do you fit Catalan cooking to all these vegan dishes?–

–Often 100% vegetal food is related to spicy dishes and recipes from other cultures. I have chosen to make vegan our own dishes. Next spring we will even have a Cathar menu, honouring in this way our forefathers.–

–No eggs, no milk, no meat... but, what happens with sugar, processed foods and the hundreds of food additives which impregnate present day food?–

–Veganism is for animals, not for health, even if the fact of not eating them produces a great health improvement.

Some vegans only eat fruits and raw vegetables, others watch their consumption of sugar or gluten, while others just enjoy their cruelty free food.

There is not a diet or a feeding style which may identify vegans. As we say, every one have their own style.

As a general way of respect to nature, and to ourselves, our products are bio, the fruits and vegetables, the bread, all come from small ethic manufactures in our area.

Generally speaking, we don’t use products which may carry additives nor be overprocessed, we don’t buy from companies with vegetal products, we only buy from ethic companies. If we use different sugars, such as brown sugar, raw cane sugar, coconut sugar..., it is from fair trade, the same as cocoa or coffee.–

–And what about the market? Which products do you buy for your kitchen?–

–Well, it is like a painter’s palette, fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, legumes, cereals, shoots, mushrooms, seeds, algae, tubercles...

Nature gives us all we need to feed abundantly and in a healthy way, in a creative and sustainable way. It is really incredible, and also very sad that this is not yet the norm.–

–What would you suggest to the new customers at Veganitza’t: when should they visit you, what should they choose, what can they order...?–

–Well, I would tell them to have a good time, to inquire, and to ask what they want, because we always try to please them. Pythagoras said:

"While man keeps butchering animals, his brothers, there will be war and suffering on earth, and they will kill each other, because that who sows suffering and death cannot expect to reap neither joy, nor peace, nor love".–

Link to the original Catalan interview:

https://www.llibertat.cat/2022/03/gemma-anglada-de-veganitza-t-un-mon-de-possibilitats-es-pura-alquimia-52203

Veganitza’t profile in Facebook:

https://es-la.facebook.com/pages/category/Product-Service/Veganitzat-100944608537435/