Ivy Pepin
It’s World Vegan Month! And to celebrate, we caught up with vegan chef and baker extraordinaire Chris Tucker about his favorite plant-based eats.
Delicate, colorful macarons. Fluffy buttercream frosting. Shimmering chocolate drizzled over perfectly sculpted cakes. Chris Tucker’s mouthwatering desserts are true masterpieces—and prove just how endless the possibilities are when it comes to cruelty-free baking.
Calling himself a Southern chef with a French twist, Chris Tucker has a passion for creative, delicious vegan cuisine. After appearing on season 4 of The Great American Baking Show in London—where his recipes were a huge hit—Chris became a full-time vegan baker. He then went on to start his own business, Betta with Butta, a custom vegan bakery based in Los Angeles. Now, he works with top celebrity clients—recently providing the vegan desserts for Elton John’s Oscar party and Steven Tyler’s Grammy party.
As a renowned vegan chef, baker, and entrepreneur, Chris has a lot on his plate. But he still sat down with us to talk about his journey into plant-based eating—and how veganism has shaped his cooking, career, and purpose.
What does veganism mean to you?
Veganism means approaching the world with compassion. From the food we consume to the clothing and brands we support, it’s about making sure that all aspects of life align with our larger mission of making the world a less cruel place for animals and a more sustainable environment for humans.
In many cultures and families, food is a means of continuous connection to each other and to a shared history. Sometimes going vegan can seem intimidating because people fear that they will lose that means of connection. What would you say to those folks/that perspective?
I’d challenge those people to shift their thinking. Nothing you mentioned above is incorrect, but if we just choose to make veganism an opportunity to share our cultures and history in a more humane way, it becomes an exciting task rather than something daunting. There’s truly a vegan way to create every single dish under the sun—with just as much flavor as its counterpart. So why not be the changemaker at the table and show your family how it’s done?
Do people in your family, friend group, or wider community have eating habits similar to or different from yours? Does that impact your choices, and if so, how?
My husband and I are the only vegans in either of our families. Over the years, some members of our families have started making some simple swaps and realizing that it’s not as difficult as it once was. When we’re making plans with friends, it goes without saying that we’re either going to a vegan restaurant or somewhere with vegan options. It’s a cool process, because it allows a lot of our nonvegan friends to try places they otherwise wouldn't have.
Why not be the changemaker at the table?
Does any specific dish or recipe come to mind as being especially important to you?
As a vegan chef, I’m constantly making new things. One of my favorite things to make for people is crab cakes out of hearts of palm. People are always blown away that they aren’t made from crab… and by how delicious they are!
What kinds of foods did you grow up eating, and who cooked them? Where did they come from? Were animal products a regular staple in your diet?
I grew up in the South, so meat, dairy, and eggs were part of pretty much every single meal. We ate a ton of processed foods and frozen meals after school, but my mom also cooked dinner every night. Looking back, we ate what all the kids were eating.
Growing up, what conversations did you have about food—especially regarding meat, milk, cheese, and eggs?
It wasn’t until I hit middle school that I remember the conversation around food really taking a front seat. I was overweight at the time, and I remember that I went to my mom and wanted to start shedding some pounds. It was at that time that I stopped eating red meat and pork products. There was never much discussion around dairy or eggs—in the 90’s, they were still being heavily pushed as healthy products to eat. Little did we know!
Have you altered your consumption of animal products over time? If so, when and why? Is it something you think about today?
After I dropped the red meat and pork in middle school, I slowly started taking chicken off the table as well. By the time I was entering college, I was a pescetarian. Somewhere in my subconscious, I knew that I felt better every time I eliminated an animal product from my diet.
Can you identify any barriers in your life regarding your access to food? (This could be anything from income to grocery store proximity to food allergies.)
I think the biggest barrier to my childhood was a lack of knowledge. I don't believe any parent would intentionally poison their child with things that are proven to cause health issues.
Somewhere in my subconscious, I knew that I felt better every time I eliminated an animal product from my diet.
Where do you generally do your grocery shopping, and what’s on your list?
During any given week, I can be in anywhere from two to ten grocery stores and farmers’ markets. It all depends on what I have going on with work that week, and if I'm on the hunt for something super specific that takes a little extra digging.
How are your values reflected in the work you do as a Changemaker/Influencer?
My values are directly reflected in my work as a chef. It allows me to share my beliefs—and also my knowledge of food and animal welfare—with my clients.
What do you eat in a day?
Well, this is a loaded question… ha! It all depends on the day. Sometimes I’m testing something sweet, and the day consists of eating cookies until 6 o'clock when I force myself to stop and eat a salad. Other days are more relaxed, and I have some oatmeal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and then some type of yummy dinner—like a curry or saucy pasta!
You can keep up with Chris online by following him on Instagram at @veganchefchristucker, where he shares plant-based recipes, mouthwatering baked goods, and more.
