Animal-friendly food for the whole family

Windsor Park

Island Lakes

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/01/2024 (976 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kermit the Frog may say it’s not easy being green.

But for Brittany Martens, owner and head chef of Plant Kitchen and Bakery, the opposite has proven true.

“When I first started this, it was a hobby,” Martens said. “But now it is my full-time job, because I see that there is a demand.”

A lifelong baker and food lover, Martens went vegan a decade ago.

“It was a new challenge to learn how to cook and bake vegan,” said the Island Lakes resident. “I’d do it for fun, for family and friends.”

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Martens started an Instagram account to showcase her vegan cake creations and creative designs.

“There aren’t a ton of places that offer what I make,” Martens said. “I gained a big following, and I thought I should bring this to market along with other things I do. I really feel like I learn something new every day.”

Martens founded Plant Kitchen and Bakery and first started bringing her products to market during the summer of 2022. Local markets, such as the Wolseley Farmers Market, South Osborne Farmers’ Market, Winnipeg Veg Fest, and Punk Rock Flea Market, proved to Martens there was an abundance of demand for plant-based baking, as well as allergen- friendly products, such as gluten- and nut-free cakes, cookies, and rolls.

“It’s like a one-stop shop where you can find something the whole family can eat, without worrying about dietary restrictions,” Martens said. “Our top sellers at markets are pizza rolls. We take a classic idea and put a fun twist on them, like cinnamon rolls.”

While Martens still plans to attend as many local markets as possible during operating months, Plant Kitchen and Bakery also offers year-round orders for pickup from the commercial kitchen at Windsor Park United Church (1062 Autumnwood Dr.), where she does all her baking. Monthly menus are posted to Plant Kitchen and Bakery’s social media accounts, where orders can be placed for next-day pickup.

“We make specially flavoured cakes, with a lot of custom design,” Martens said, adding that friends and family help in the kitchen during busy times. “Our top-selling cake would be cookie dough cake.”

Along with providing tasty, plant-based eats, Martens said it is also important for her to tread lightly on the environment and to give back to the community.

“We try to use eco-friendly packing as much as possible,” she said. “Starting this business really gave me a deeper sense of purpose and sense of connection to the local community. It’s so important to support local businesses. Even in the vegan community, I’ve met so many people who do hard work and use their voice for the cause.

“We try to give back, too, giving a portion of our proceeds to different causes, like animal rescues.”

For more information, visit plantkitchen.ca or follow @plantkitchenwpg on Instagram or Plant Kitchen and Bakery on Facebook.