Food, Fun, and a New Coffee Shop: Meet the Owner of Cupcakes and Kale!
We’re big foodies over at Our Crater, and we especially love the local food blog Cupcakes and Kale by Jessica Nadel! The vegan blogger is also the owner of Oh My BakeShop, and author of two cookbooks; Greens 24/7 and Superfoods 24/7. We asked Jessica all about her blog, her favourite recipes, and her upcoming coffee shop!
Share your story with us! When did you find your passion for baking and cooking?
I grew up in a family that did a lot cooking and baking – I was the lucky kid who had school lunches packed with homemade chocolate chip cookies instead of packaged treats. It really wasn’t until my late 20s that I really became passionate about it cooking and baking though, right around the same time that I became vegan. People always assume that veganism means restricting or narrowing your diet, but for me it opened my eyes to an entire new world of ingredients and cooking styles that I couldn’t wait to explore.
What made you decide to start a food blog?
I had just discovered the world of blogs and was really enjoying reading ones that friends of mine had been writing, so I decided to start my own. Veganism was a little less mainstream even just 6 years ago, so people were always asking me about what I ate as a vegan so I thought food was a logical place to start!
Is there a particular dish or recipe that you always find yourself making or that is your favourite?
Weekends wouldn’t be weekends around here without whipping up a batch of my Fluffy Banana Chia Pancakes from Superfoods 24/7!
We can’t wait to try out your new coffee shop – Beards Coffee Bar & Bakery! What are you most excited for, and is there something that we should definitely try?
Oh, I am so excited for its opening too! I love me some good coffee and we’ll be serving up pour overs, espresso based drinks, and nitro cold brew on tap, which I’m super excited about. As for the baked goodies there will be lots to choose from including some of the well loved favourites from my Oh My Bakeshop days like Chickpea Blondies & Cowgirl Cookies, but plenty of new items to try too like pecan butter tarts and cheddar & chive scones.
Do you have any advice for food or lifestyle bloggers looking to start their own website?
I think it’s really important to find your passion and run with it. It can be a lot of work to keep up with so you’ve got to be focused on something that you love. And don’t get caught up in your stats and the numbers of page views – it really doesn’t matter!
Do you have any plans for a new cookbook?
While I don’t have plans for the immediate future, at some point I’d love to write a cookbook that focuses on feeding vegan families.
Where can we follow you and stay up to date with Cupcakes and Kale?
You can find me at www.cupcakesandkale.ca where you can sign up to receive new recipes in your inbox so you never miss a thing. I’m also on Facebook @ Cupcakes and Kale and on Instagram at @jessicalaurennadel.
Adriana Nicolucci
Adriana Nicolucci is a Communications and Film Production graduate, fashion enthusiast, and patterned sock collector. She’s often spotted munching on the Eenie Meenie Grilled Zucchini Pizza at the Buddha. Danny Ocean is her spirit animal, except she’s planning a heist to steal your hearts (not a casino)
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