Mainstream demand for plant-based cuisine has resulted in 2019 being declared Year of the Vegan. Growth in flexitarian diets means plant-based alternatives have gained mass-market appeal, and even long-time meat-heavy markets like Milwaukee have seen exponential growth in access to vegetable-based fare. 

In this week’s podcast we chat with Melanie Manuel, chef-owner of Celesta, a relatively new East Side restaurant specializing in vegan fare. Along the way, she shares her thoughts on restaurant ownership, the inspiration behind her approach to plant-based fare, her success in making vegan food accessible to customers and her thoughts on the increased popularity of plant-based proteins like the popular Impossible Burger.