Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Pierce.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It’s really simple, one word, grandma. Growing up, I had the typical African American family. We all have that one woman who you watch and teaches you everything you need to know. Watching my grandma in the kitchen is what made me passionate about cooking today. You know, back then there was real food. On the weekends, going to different farms and picking what you will be eating the next days was priceless to me as a child. Sometimes, I reflect on how bananas had black seeds in the middle and then they slowly disappeared.
Now, I got the other side of my culinary skills from my mother. She would whip these dishes up just by glazing what was in the cabinet, it was magic. A little of this, a little of that and presto, dinner. Oh, she would bake this biscuit, never measuring one ingredient, the most fluffy, flavorful things you could have ever eaten.
To this day, I never measure when I’m cooking, one glance in the cabinet, presto dinner. Learning from them have made me into the wonderful chef I am today.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being in the culinary world is tough as it comes. As a woman chef, you have to prove yourself more, which I find so weird cause mothers and grandmothers are where most male chefs obtain their knowledge. My journey has been very unique. I have experienced sexual harassment, manager literally forcing me into office togging at my pants saying this is a need to keep a position. Yes, this was a kitchen line cook job, I didn’t need it that much. Authority makes a person feel they can treat you in any way possible. To young women of the world, lead with your left foot forward and never compromise on any decision that will make you question who you are.
We’d love to hear more about SiriusVegan.
I am a plant-based chef, that’s what I love and I love what I do. My goal is to help the greater DFW metro transition their eating habits. I first have my clients focus on how they are consuming foods, don’t jump up and start feeding your body heavy greasy foods in the morning, start out with something more wholesome. Then, during high noon, fill up on foods that going supply great energy, cause our body is now ready to breakdown all these types of foods, and at dinner, we going to go light again, cause our body is entering into realm mode and steaks just aren’t going to be broken down. Once we get a great eating habit flow, then we slow enter into plant-based eating.
I contribute my culinary talents to two local vegan restaurants that are on the different side of the scale. Recipe Oak Cliff is where you go to get the healing foods and juices. VEats Modern Vegan is where you go to get your comfort foods. My brand SiriusVegan falls in the middle of the two. I cook to heal and also to comfort.
My passion for farm to table cooking has led me to partner with The Oak Cliff Veggie Project. This organization was started by Ples Montgomery IV and his mother Bettie Donaldson-Montgomery. Their focus was bringing free produce to an area of Dallas that is considered food desert. Now, they have expanded to cultivating local community gardens, educating the individual on starting and maintaining gardens, working with food rescue program and composting program to reduce food wasting. I think as a whole, we need to return to our roots and agriculture is where life starts. How our food is being handled by the corporation is appalling. Learning to grow your own food is something every child and adult should experience.
SiriusVegan focus is more than transitioning individuals plant-based diet, but a plant-based lifestyle. Get out there, be involved in a community, learn to grow! Heal thy self from the inside and out.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
As I stated earlier, yes, my childhood had a lot to do with my success today. If it wasn’t from watching my grandma picking food from her garden and getting fresh produce straight from the farm, I really don’t know if I would be passionate about food. So, I am very thankful for Berniece Moore and also thankful for Yolanda Russell (Rest in Peace, Mom love ya!).
Contact Info:
- Address: SiriusVegan
1831 S Ewing Ave
Dallas, Texas - Phone: (214) 374-9558
- Email: kapierce0507@gmail.com
- Instagram: SiriusVegan
- Facebook: SiriusVegan
Image Credit:
Kay Pierce
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