ABOUT
Hi there, my name is Vanessa
Welcome to my table!
My journey into food started when I was younger. I always liked to cook and eat, mainly eat. I grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, but my grandparents had a cozy house in the middle of the mountains, near the Río Magdalena, with a seasonal variety of food.
I learned early on that I found so much joy in sharing my food with the people around me, and it was a very early discovery of my love language: cooking. At that time, cooking was another way for me to understand my heritage. It was what I received from my grandma, mother, and mainly, the women in my family.
In 2016, studying psychology heightened my awareness of the profound impact that diet can have on mental health. I became hungry for knowledge, eager to adopt a healthy diet in line with my beliefs. I began volunteering and participating in several community events related to these interests.
During that time, I frequently invited friends over to my house to cook. It was during this period that I transitioned to a plant-based diet and started experimenting with cooking for myself. This newfound culinary exploration fueled my creativity as I sought inventive ways to work with ingredients and savor plant-based cuisine.
After I graduated, I came to USA to visit my dad, and I felt in love with all the gastronomy world that New York has on it. I decided to lived here and study more to become a teacher. That was all my though. I came back to Colombia to said bye to everyone and live here.
Everything seemed to fall into place as I deepened my understanding of the connection between nutrition and well-being. However, the onset of the pandemic brought significant changes to everyone's lives. In response to this shift, I made the decision to embark on the journey of starting Alegría Vegana, a venture that seamlessly combines my vegan advocacy with the practice of my culinary craft and my deep interest for nutrition and well-bring.
In 2020 I moved to New York with my project, Alegria Vegana.
Alegría {ah-l-ai-G-R-EE-ah} means joy/happiness, which is what I want you to experience through the food. I would like to make sure everyone eats well while respecting all beings!
I made it my goal to immerse myself in the food industry, to expand my knowledge of techniques and flavors, and to connect with more plant-based food enthusiasts and fellow vegans. Over the past four years, I've worked in various local vegan restaurants in New York City, collaborating with an international group of creative chefs from whom I've learned more than I could have imagined.
Throughout this journey, Alegría remained at the forefront of my mind. I began participating in local markets and events, showcasing a large selection of baked goods. This marked the inception of my bakery line, which I decided to name La Bakeria, the first Colombian & Vegan Bakery in NYC.
Not only am I an enthusiastic baker, but I am also a devotee of savory dishes from diverse cultures, including my own. My passion lies in unleashing creativity, exploring clean flavors, and presenting dishes with a touch of simplicity, all while keeping in mind the nourishment of both the body and soul. I take pleasure in tailoring my focus on dishes and ingredients to suit the occasion, always striving to incorporate local and seasonal elements into my creations.
Driven by a passion for community work and social events, I relish opportunities to share my knowledge and engage in interesting conversations. This is why I have chosen to focus my work on inspiring a plant-based lifestyle and empowering food choices through private and intimate services, such as classes and private dinners in collaboration with others.
Let’s craft the future together, one meal at a time!
My invitation to you is