Eat well, live clean: The rise of plant-based cuisine

 “Eat well, live clean: The rise of plant-based cuisine”

SunStar Davao, July 28, 2023

In Davao City, a family-driven food revolution is taking place.

The Neighborhood Lifestyle Group, led by the dynamic trio of Mimi Vergara-Tupas, her husband Jun, and their son Uno, is changing the way people perceive food, health, and wellness. Through their innovative food concepts, they are inspiring a generation to embrace the power of plant-based cuisine and lead healthier lives.

Working with family can be both a blessing and a curse, but for the Tupas family, it has been a worthwhile “roller coaster ride” filled with love, respect, and a shared vision.

               

Mimi, the creative director, developed her passion for plant-based food when she introduced juicing to her children, providing them with healthier breakfast options. Little did she know that this simple step would pave the way for a thriving business that promotes the goodness of plants.

A higher purpose

The Neighborhood Lifestyle Group has a clear mission: to get people to eat more plants. With each brand serving a unique purpose, they cater to a diverse range of preferences and dining experiences.

Soul Kitchen Co. offers ready-to-eat salads, sandwiches, wraps, and cold-pressed juices, while Fast Fresh tempts taste buds with a fantastic selection of salads, grain bowls, and wraps. Clean Cafe provides a relaxed cafe-style setting with an extensive menu, including health shots, pancakes, burgers, and a variety of delectable plant-based desserts. Meanwhile, Made Simple, their latest concept, elevates plant-based cuisine to new heights with elegant small plates designed for tasting menus.

                           

                         

Mimi earned her Raw Vegan Chef certification in Bali while Uno got his plant-based education in HuaHin Thailand where he also stayed to teach in that same academy.

Beyond boundaries

Recently, the Tupases were invited by The Westin Manila's “Eat Well” program to collaborate on a unique culinary experience. As a local homegrown brand, Mimi and Uno were extremely honored to be the first chefs chosen to fuel the “cuiSCENE” collab series with the 5-star hotel. 

The collaboration featured a plant-based workshop named "Jumpstart to A Better You" and a showcase of Clean Cafe's signature dishes at the prestigious hotel's lunch buffet.

              

In addition, the highlight of the collaboration was a sumptuous 9-course dinner paired with biodynamic wines, impressing guests and the press alike with the Tupases' ability to turn vegetables into gourmet delights.

The plant-based revolution

The Tupases are passionate advocates for plant-based cuisine, believing it is the future of food. They have witnessed countless healthy transformations among their customers and are determined to inspire more people to embrace this lifestyle. The success of their food concepts and the positive response to their collaboration with The Westin Manila are a testament to the growing interest in plant-based eating.

The trio has shown that plant-based cuisine can be delicious, innovative, and accessible to everyone. With their unwavering commitment to their vision, they continue to make strides in the culinary world, one plant-based dish at a time.

As Mimi proudly declares, "We dream that one day, everyone learns how to eat well and live clean."

Photos courtesy of the Tupas family and The Westin Manila

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com/.