26 THE QUEENS COURIER • QUEENS BUSINESS • MAY 13, 2021 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
queens business
New vegan soul food restaurant with
a Caribbean twist opens in Jamaica
BY GABRIELE HOLTERMANN
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
Chef Holando Shaw and several elected
offi cials celebrated the opening of Real
Veggie Cafe with a ribbon-cutting ceremony
in Jamaica on Sunday, May 2.
When the original soul food restaurant
closed, and Shaw took the opportunity,
partnered with the original owner and
turned the eatery at 106-13 Guy R. Brewer
Blvd. into a vegan restaurant.
On the menu is mac ‘n’ cheese, collard
greens, plantains, candied yams
and other items. Fried caulifl ower and
mushrooms replace traditional fried
chicken. All menu items are seasoned
with a Caribbean twist, served soul
food style.
Th e Jamaican-born Shaw shared he
started experimenting with plant-based
dishes using traditional Jamaican sauces
like curry and jerk sauces, which are vegan
based, creating healthier food options.
“We wanted to tackle the whole concept
of food insecurity and bring healthier
options to the neighborhood,” said the
chef, who donated sustainable and healthy
food options for seniors, fi rst responders
and families in need during the pandemic.
Queens Borough President Donovan
Richards said the new, post-COVID normal
should also include healthier restaurant
options and adopting a healthier
lifestyle.
“When you look at who died during
this pandemic, it’s very clear that a lot
of folks we lost, we lost due to access to
health care, but also underlying conditions
that many of our community residents
have faced going through disparities
in many diff erent areas across the borough,”
Richards said.
He was excited to see that a vegan restaurant
opened its doors in south Queens,
which he called a blessing.
“Th ese are the communities where we
need to see health care prioritized. But
also the mindset of us taking some personal
responsibility and putting the onus
on us as well to sort of adapt to a new
healthier eating lifestyle,” the borough
president said.
Councilwoman Adrienne Adams,
whose district borders the vegan cafe, said
it was amazing to see what can be done
and called the eatery a welcome addition
to Jamaica.
“To have establishments like chef
Holando, who is bringing Real Veggie
Cafe right here to south Jamaica, it’s going
to be so impactful for so many people.
We’re looking at the students, the residents
that are going to be able to partake
in their neighborhood. Healthy eating,
what the borough president just said,
it’s so good. We need more establishments
like this,” the councilwoman said.
Looking forward to the fusion of
Jamaican fl avors and plant-based soul
food, Adams joked, “My husband’s a
vegan. Maybe I’ll be converted, too —
who knows?”
Councilwoman Adrienne Adams said she may be “converted” to a vegan. Chef Holando Shaw speaks at the grand opening of his restaurant.
Photos by Gabriele Holtermann
Assemblywoman Vivian Cook, Queens Borough President Richards, Chef Holando Shaw and Councilwoman Adrienne Adams celebrate the grand opening
of Real Veggie Cafe.
/WWW.QNS.COM
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