The vegan chocolate peanut butter cupcake from Sun In Bloom that I just demolished
The Great GoogaMooga is upon us! With concerts ranging from The Flaming Lips to Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, the food and music fest promises to draw the hungry hordes to Brooklyn this weekend. So that you can properly prepare to get your grub on, we’re running some profiles of the vendors we’re most looking forward to as we count down to the festival.
Last year, GoogaMooga was heavy on the pork, but this year it’s aiming to please its vegetarian friends as well. Hoisting high the vegan banner is Park Slope’s Sun in Bloom. Here’s more from chef and owner Aimee Follette on community, massaged kale, and Radiohead:
If you look closely, you can see that they give a source for this quote. I think that's pretty cute.
What is Sun In Bloom’s specialty and why is Brooklyn a good place for it?
Sun In Bloom’s specialty is creating hand-crafted gluten-free vegan foods, made with some serious love, that can be enjoyed by everyone. I opened Sun In Bloom with the intention to introduce the healing power of food and how it truly can create a foundation for us all to experience our best life. My vision for Sun In Bloom being a community meeting place goes hand-in-hand with why people move to Brooklyn; they move to Brooklyn to be part of a strong community. I think generally, people have a strong desire to be healthy and are recognizing the food they eat will either make them feel good or make them feel sick.
What is your favorite dish of the moment?
As the chef of Sun In Bloom, I only create dishes that I really love. However, I do have an affinity towards our Bella Divine salad — kale massaged in a live (made from sprouted sunflower seeds) sesame ginger dressing, raw sauerkraut, dulse, and avocado.
What job did you have before you decided to go into the food business?
My background is in health and nutrition and business. I am a certified holistic health coach, plant-based nutritional chef, yoga teacher and photographer, and entrepreneurship runs in my blood. Prior to opening Sun In Bloom, I was managing and teaching at the Bikram Yoga studio here in Park Slope on Flatbush Avenue.
What’s your favorite Brooklyn restaurant that’s still off most people’s radar?
I so wish I could choose a restaurant other than Sun In Bloom. But because I have a severe gluten intolerance and choose to live a plant-based lifestyle, there are not many options. Next to Sun In Bloom, my home kitchen is where I frequent and when going out to eat, I meet friends in the city at places like Pure Food and Wine, Quintessence and Souen.
What band are you looking forward to hearing at GoogaMooga? What’s the best concert you’ve ever seen?
I’m excited to see the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Best concert I’ve ever seen was Radiohead at Red Rocks Amphitheatre… front row.