I’m Chef Angelina Torres, and the journey to founding Ebony Vegan began with a wake-up call—one that changed how I saw food, health, and my responsibility to the people I love.

A few years ago, my husband, my son, and I were all approaching diabetes. I knew something had to change. As I started researching the causes, I couldn’t ignore what I found: a clear link between meat-heavy diets and chronic illness—especially in historically impacted communities. I realized food was either fueling disease or fighting it.

That moment sparked a transformation. I transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle—not just for myself, but for my family and my community. I saw too many people facing similar health struggles, and I knew that change had to come from the kitchen outward. For me, plant-based eating became more than a diet—it became a return to tradition, to care, to culture.

Before founding Ebony Vegan, I trained in fine dining and classical French technique, working alongside Michelin-starred chefs in some of New York’s top kitchens. My career began in baking and pastry at Ouest, later leading to roles at Saul at the Brooklyn Museum and DBGB Kitchen & Bar, among others. I eventually shifted toward seasonal, wellness-focused cooking—preparing farm-to-table meals for children and educators at the New York Explorers Academy in Brooklyn.

But something was missing. I wasn’t just looking for a job—I was looking to build something bigger. I wanted to create a space where plant-based food could feel joyful, deeply rooted, and unapologetically flavorful. A space where culture and wellness lived on the same plate.

That’s why I founded Ebony Vegan—not just as a catering company, but as a movement.

Through boutique catering, immersive dinners, and educational programs, Ebony Vegan is about more than food. It’s about reclaiming tradition, reshaping narratives, and showing that plant-based meals can be rich, celebratory, and deeply connected to who we are.

To me, food is more than nourishment. It’s a bridge between the past and the future. A tool for healing, storytelling, and joy.

And with Ebony Vegan, I’m here to prove:

Plant-based eating isn’t just for vegans—it’s for everyone.

This is plant-based eating for the culture. For us. With us. For all.