The third annual Vegan Festival, organised by SXM Vegans, was held in Belair Community Centre on Sunday. In spite of rainy weather, the event drew some 200 people, twice as many as last year. A highlight was the vegan burger champion. That honour went to Ernesto Guzman of Three Amigos Restaurant. He created a Mojito Twist Burger. Coming in second was Prerna Goklani, followed by Mya Lacome in third. Judges were Chef Dino Jagtiani of Emilio’s restaurant, Chef Jackie of Puur and Mercedes De Windt of Animal Defenders. Products booths were by Wastefactory SXM, SXM Vegan, Raw Beauty – natural vegan cosmetics, Ice Store – Vegan bags and jewellery from Esther de La Terre, Greenbox, Happy Wine, Animal Defenders, Jus en Folie on juicing and massage therapy by Peter Smits and Bart Santbulte. Food booths featured Cake and Co., Fit Foods, Indian Food, Vegan to Go, SXM Cooks, Jenny Budhrani’s Jack Fruit Pulled Pork Burgers, and Maya Launghani’s Clay Pot Stir Fry. Lectures, moderated by Amy Trione, featured Zdenka Kiric on Plastic Free Lifestyle and Dr. Fritz Bus on Food as Medicine.
