Hi there, I’m Shriya
There's a version of me that existed long before this platform did. She loved food, MasterChef Australia was her comfort show, and she dreamt of traveling the world and eating amazing foods. But she spent years standing in her own way, too self-conscious to fully lean into that passion. So, this is her, taking a leap of faith, TRYING to trust and believe in herself, and curate a life that leads her to explore the world, one delicious animal-free bite at a time.
Vegan for the Animals
This might be the part where IF any non-vegans are reading, they’ll likely peace out. But, don’t you worry! We’re not here to guilt-trip anybody into anything. It’s just a little story time.
Though I was raised a vegetarian, which is typical in Indian culture, dairy was still a prevalent lurker in my food. I just happened upon a video of the realities of the dairy industry that most of us (including me) would choose to skip. Though I still quickly scrolled past it, I caught the tiniest glimpse of a mother cow who had all sorts of devices tethered to her like she was a piece of equipment. And in that moment, my sassy little “touch-me-not” family cat happened to grace me with the rarest show of affection. I just couldn’t unsee the visual of her, Queen Ginger, being in the place of that cow. I quickly learned that labels like “humanely-raised,” “cage-free,” "free-range,” etc., meant absolutely nothing for the animals who, for reasons beyond their control, are trapped within a system that benefits from their commodification. So that was that, I've left animals and their products off my plate — and will NEVER look back.
The Plot had an Interesting Twist
Being raised in a South Indian, vegetarian household, I was under NO misconception that plant-forward foods are bland and boring. After all, it’s the spices and seasonings that make a dish exciting and delicious. But what I wasn’t prepared for was how expansive my palate and curiosity for food became after going vegan. I became more adventurous, broke out of a “rigidity mindset" that I had when it came to crafting meals, and truly enjoyed the process of cooking and creating. It became a culinary adventure!
Going vegan expanded my culinary horizons in ways I never expected. Suddenly, I was exploring cuisines I'd barely touched before — the aromatic, deeply spiced world of Ethiopian and West African cooking, the fascinating diversity that spans Asian cuisine, the rich history of plant-based traditions around the world, and much more.
I became fascinated with food, culinary cultures, the subtle influences of one cuisine on another, the creativity involved in building flavor, texture, and satisfaction without relying on animal-derived ingredients… the list goes on. Food became like a puzzle I actually wanted to solve — and solving it was fun because there was no one, steadfast way to do it.
So, Why Planted with Shriya?
Because I believe that plant-powered food is one of the most exciting, creative, globally-rich culinary spaces that is so misunderstood, its history, diversity, and versatility deserve to be celebrated.
I want to be a resource for anyone who is curious about exploring taking their first step to leaving animals off their plates, but feels held back because they see it as a sacrifice rather than an opportunity for abundance.
Going vegan was a choice rooted in ethics, and unexpectedly, more of the avid foodie in me began to shine. There’s this mindset that plant-based food means sacrificing on taste, but I think growing up with one of the most aromatic and spice-forward cuisines on the planet saved me from falling for that narrative. Instead, it played a pivotal role in deepening my understanding of flavor science, which I’m seeing many chefs expertly tap into with their animal-free dishes. I’m excited to be a teeny part of this greater mission to create a kinder world for all the living beings with whom we share this planet, while having fun and exploring the world through food. I hope you will join me on my chaotic and colorful journey of a lifetime.
