Chefra.ai

40+ Years of Women's Health Wisdom: Dr. Nitu Bajekal Breaks Down HRT, Hormones & Plant Medicine

On this episode of Meet the Vegans, Sarah sits down with Dr. Nitu Bajekal Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist — for a joyful, deeply insightful conversation on women’s health that’s relevant for everyone.She explains:
The challenges women face
Your rights as a patient
The truth about perimenopause, menopause, and mental health
HRT: facts and myths
What the “male menopause” really means
PCOS and insights from her book Living PCOS Free
Why soy is powerful (and misunderstood) in a plant-based diet
How to prepare for hormonal changes with confidence
Dr. Bajekal also shares personal stories, book and doc recommendations, and her favourite comfort food — vegan Kichiri.Dr. Nitu Bajekal is a Senior Consultant OB-GYN with 40+ years of experience and a leading voice in women’s health and plant-based nutrition. She’s the author of Finding Me in Menopause and co-author of Living PCOS Free, dedicated to empowering people with clear, evidence-based health information.Host Sarah Bentley is a food justice activist, writer, and founder of Made In Hackney, the UK’s first fully vegan community cookery school.Follow Dr. Nitu:Instagram: @drnitubajekalWebsite: nitubajekal.com

Beyond Perfectionism: Denai Moore's Creative Truth

In this inspiring episode of Meet the Vegans, we sit down with the phenomenal Denai Moore—a visionary musician and food creative who’s redefining what it means to live authentically.From gracing stages like Later... with Jools Holland to creating the soulful vegan pop-up Dee’s Table, Denai shares a heartfelt journey through music, food, and artistic truth. In this episode, Denai opens up about:
Turning creative side hustles into a full-time career
Living intentionally and staying true to your art
Avoiding the trap of perfectionism and fleeting trends
The vital role of community in the creative process
Finding and sustaining joy in difficult times
 Who is Denai Moore? Denai Moore is a Jamaican-born artist and chef based in the UK, celebrated for her boundary-pushing work in both music and food. As a musician, her genre-blending sound and introspective songwriting have earned her critical acclaim and appearances on major platforms.In 2017, she launched Dee’s Table, a plant-based pop-up created to reconnect with the nostalgic Jamaican flavors of her childhood. Inspired by her Jamaican roots, global travels, and London upbringing, Dee’s Table offers an intimate and modern take on Jamaican cuisine—through seasonal dishes that speak to the soul of the modern-day home cook.Whether through sound or flavor, Denai continues to carve out a path rooted in authenticity, culture, and innovation. Hosted by Sarah Bentley—food justice activist, writer, and founder of Made In Hackney, the UK’s first fully vegan community cookery school. Follow Denai Moore: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denaimoore/?hl=en Dee’s Table: https://www.instagram.com/dees_table/?hl=en

Rise, Fall, and Courageous Comeback: Heather’s Incredible Journey

In this episode of Meet the Vegans, We chat with Heather Mills – entrepreneur, activist, and world record holder. We talk about her journey from surviving a devastating motorcycle accident, her business and sporting achievements . Heather shares her story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and how we can all push through adversity.
Heather Mills is a woman who has turned extraordinary challenges into triumphs. An entrepreneur, charity campaigner, world record holder, and Paralympic ski racer, she’s proven time and again that nothing can stand in her way.
Her most successful venture, VBites, is an award-winning plant-based food company with over 130 products, sold in 24+ countries globally. Heather continues to push boundaries and thrive in uncertainty, making her one of life’s great competitors and pioneers.
Host Sarah Bentley is a food justice activist, writer, and founder of Made In Hackney, the UK’s first fully vegan community cookery school.
Vbites- https://www.vbites.com/ 
Alternative stores - https://alternativestores.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22031308776&gbraid=0AAAAACVklzXr_u9TdFj1QEINRm3kxuB4R&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlrvBBhDnARIsAHEQgOTWiMuHyO6SkLWTs3SY1NcwXIXPBBJGi5VjDq1KFudchgZ36tzYzq0aAtUYEALw_wcB 
Heather Mills - https://www.instagram.com/heathermillsofficial/
 

Can Veganism Be African? Stephane Kotto and Duchess Nena bridge the gap

On this episode of Meet the Vegans, we sit down with Duchess Nena, the West African vegan chef, educator, and author of Ibu Vegan, and Stephane Kotto, the founder of the Pan-African Plant-Based Food Alliance and author of From Soil to Soul: African Vegan Recipes. Together, we dive into the deep-rooted connection between African culture and veganism.They discuss:•⁠  ⁠How veganism has always been a part of African diets before colonization•⁠  ⁠The impact of colonization on African food culture and the rise of meat-eating•⁠  ⁠Why plant-based eating is a natural fit for African heritage•⁠  ⁠The growing vegan movements in Africa and the diaspora•⁠  ⁠How veganism is an empowering force for health, ethics, and sustainabilityDuchess Nena and Stephane Kotto share their personal journeys to veganism and the work they're doing to bridge the gap between culture and plant-based eating. Their inspiring conversation is a call to return to authentic African food traditions while embracing the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.
Follow Duchess Nena:Instagram: @duchessnenaFollow Stephane Kotto:Instagram: @pan_african_plant_alliance

What made 25 MILLION people go vegan for January

Learn how Veganuary’s founders got 25 MILLION people vegan for January. In this discussion, Matt Glover and Jane Lands share insights into the campaign’s incredible growth and their efforts to drive lasting change in the vegan movement.
They Explain:
The challenges they faced:
- Building community
- Creative activism strategies
- Driving change through their work with VFC, Veg Capital, and Veg Trust
Matthew Glover is the Co-Founder of Veganuary, VFC, Managing Director at Veg Capital, and Chairman of the Vegan Food Group.
Jane Land is the Co-Founder and Trustee of Veganuary and a Board Trustee at Veg Trust.
Our host Sarah Bentley is a food justice activist, writer, and educator best known as the founder of Made In Hackney, the UK’s first fully vegan community cookery school and food support service.
Follow Veganuary: veganuary.com Follow VFC: vfcfoods.com Follow Veg Capital: vegcapital.co.uk Follow Veg Trust: vegtrust.com Follow Made in Hackney: madeinhackney.org
Credit: Dr Alan Desmond

Toxic Fine Dining Culture EXPOSED by Industry Expert

On this episode of Meet the Vegans, we sit down with King Cook, the chef-founder of East London vegan institution Cook Daily, to explore the journey from school kid to culinary legend.
He explains: How Cook Daily became a cultural and culinary landmark His journey from fine dining and burnout Running a vegan business while raising four children Why stepping back into the kitchen reignited his passion. How he cuts out distractions to stay focused King Cook Daily is a classically trained chef who worked in Michelin-starred kitchens before founding Cook Daily, a vegan food game-changer known for bold flavours, loud music, and big heart.
Host Sarah Bentley is a food justice activist, writer, and founder of Made In Hackney, the UK’s first fully vegan community cookery school.
Follow King Cook:
Instagram: @kingcookdaily
Cook Daily: @cookdaily
Intro music credit: Track: Chip - Ignite (ft. Jme & Dizzee Rascal) , Grim Sickers - KANE feat. JME