My vegan path and journey has paved the way for me to be in rooms with heavy hitters and for doors to open that I haven’t even knocked on yet!

Rain Truth, a remarkable vegan chef, caterer, educator, and a dedicated mother of three vegan children. Her journey into the world of plant-based living spans over three decades, with roots in vegetarianism since childhood.

Rain’s culinary expertise is a fusion of classical training, having graduated from The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago (Le Cordon Bleu), and specialized knowledge acquired at New York’s Main Street Vegan Academy, where she earned her certification as a Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator. Notably, she also serves as a ServSafe Instructor/Proctor and a ServSafe® Allergens Specialist, ensuring a commitment to food safety and allergen awareness.

Rain Truth’s passion and mission revolve around transforming healthy dining into an exciting and accessible part of everyone’s lifestyle. With her extensive background and unwavering dedication to veganism, she brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to the table, inviting all to savor the delights of a plant-based culinary experience.

Meatless Movement recently had the opportunity to chat with her.

Please tell us more about yourself

When I started @theculturedvegan, veganism was only a spec in the plant-based sky, but there I was doing it and standing on it!
☥ The Cultured Vegan™️ (Chef Truth)

I am from the Chicagoland area and now also living in New Orleans, Louisiana.

I have been vegan for over 35 years. I had a connection to animals at a very young age. Somehow my 6 year old self connected the bones on my wrist with the bone in a chicken drumstick and it traumatized me.

When I was 6 years of age I had a squirrel (of course I named it Alivn). I would feed Alvin Classic Lay’s potato chips to at the park my mom use to walk at everyday with her friends. It is like the squirrel knew I would come and I would sit under the same tree while my mom would walk the track with my $0.25 bag of chips and the squirrel would come every single time and eat the chips from my hands.

And as veganism continues to transform and evolve, more people are opening up their minds to seeing how dope and fun the vegan lifestyle is or can be
☥ The Cultured Vegan™️ (Chef Truth)

Sometimes I find there are more fast food vegan places popping up versus places to get whole foods plant based meals without it being fried or heavily sugared. A lot of vegan food is often times overpriced as well when eating out. Being a chef and preparing my own foods helps this small inconvenience.

Cheeze Jerk Macaroni: ☥ The Cultured Vegan™️ (Chef Truth) — Jerk Macaroni & Cheeze: ☥ The Cultured Vegan™️ (Chef Truth)

Sweet Potato and Tofu Veg Fried Rice: ☥ The Cultured Vegan™️ (Chef Truth)

I am absolutely in love with this beautiful plant-based lifestyle. I have raised my children as vegan and they have continued on with it into adulthood. I take pride in knowing that I am not contributing to the suffering and demise of poor innocent animals.

I love veganism so much I created a vegan fest based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin called Midwest Vegan Fest in 2017.

How might you advise individuals who have not yet embraced a vegan/vegetarian diet to explore meatless food options?

🌱 The transformation and development of the vegan community and industry has been shaped, molded, shifted and elevated to levels beyond mere understanding over the past 30 years!
☥ The Cultured Vegan™️ (Chef Truth)

My method is simple. Start with incorporating one Meatless Monday or any one day a week into their regimen to wean their body from it. I also do eat meat substitutes so I also will suggest trying one of the many amazing options that are out here now.

Banana Nut Chocolate Chip Bread: ☥ The Cultured Vegan™️ (Chef Truth)

Soul Veg City (formerly known as the Original Soul Vegetarian) in Chicago is my absolute favorite vegan restaurant in the country other than my own cooking. They are truly one of the original vegan places before the trends and popularity of veganism occurred. They have been in business for over 40 years and are truly the pioneers of this movement.

Addressing misconceptions about a vegan or vegetarian diet, one common misunderstanding is the belief that these diets lack protein and offer only bland and boring food options. In reality, there are numerous protein-rich and flavorful plant-based alternatives available.

Over these past 27 years in business I have experienced the absolute most beautiful things this culinary world has to offer

I educate and lead by example through my food, food demos, classes and day to day engagement in my community.

Find your Vegan Tribe. Join a vegan group online or in your local community. Find a vegan fest or popup in your community and go try all of the amazing and wonderful food there!

Thank me later.