Chef Cam Van and Mai Pham show us how to make a vegan version of Vietnamese pho. This deeply flavorful and carefully balanced vegetable broth is made with charred onions and garlic, salted radish, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, coriander, fennel, and cloves. The broth is ladled over fried tofu, oyster mushrooms, vegetarian tofu “sausage,” and rice noodles. Nguyen Dzoan Cam Van is a household name in Vietnam, and considered Vietnam's "national chef" for her role on her popular cooking show “Kheo Tay Hay Lam.” The famous cooking teacher was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2019, and she has since focused on teaching vegetarian cooking. The Spice Garden is a cooking school in Củ Chi, a rural district of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam where Cam Van now teaches her cooking classes.  Watch the full series at: https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/southeast-asia

Chef Cam Van shows us how to make a classic Vietnamese dish -- Vietnamese clay pot with tofu and peanuts -- which she prepares with Chef Mai Pham from Lemon Grass Restaurant. Ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2019, Nguyen Dzoan Cam Van has since focused on teaching vegetarian cooking. The Spice Garden is a cooking school in Củ Chi, a rural district of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam where Cam Van now teaches her cooking classes.  Watch the full series at: https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/southeast-asia

These vegan Vietnamese spring rolls are filled with sautéed jicama, fried tofu, mint, perilla, and sautéed radishes, and served with a peanut dipping sauce. Chef Cam Van shows us how to make this popular Vietnamese street food, which she prepares with Chef Mai Pham from Lemon Grass Restaurant. Ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2019, Nguyen Dzoan Cam Van has since focused on teaching vegetarian cooking. The Spice Garden is a cooking school in Củ Chi, a rural district of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam where Cam Van now teaches her cooking classes.  Watch the full series at: https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/southeast-asia

Nguyen Dzoan Cam Van is a household name in Vietnam, and considered Vietnam's "national chef" for her role on her popular cooking show “Kheo Tay Hay Lam.” The famous cooking teacher was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2019, and she has since focused on teaching vegetarian cooking. The Spice Garden is a cooking school in Củ Chi, a rural district of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam where Cam Van now teaches her cooking classes. She discusses how eating a vegetarian diet aligns with the Buddhist philosophy of ahimsa, or non-violence toward living beings. Watch the full series at: https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/southeast-asia

In The Plant-Forward Kitchen: Southeast Asia, we explore the bold, aromatic cuisines of Vietnam and Thailand — where plant-forward traditions are deeply rooted in everyday meals. Southeast Asian cuisine has long embraced plant-forward principles, drawing from its Buddhist roots that promote compassion for all living beings and encourage followers to adopt an occasional or ongoing vegetarian diet. In this series, we cook vegetarian pho with Buddhist monk, Nguyen Dzoan Cam Van, and we sample a family-style spread of vegetarian offerings at Buddhist Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda Temple Restaurant. We make some Vietnamese classics, such as Vietnamese Lemongrass Tofu, with Chef Mai Pham of Lemon Grass Restaurant. At the Michelin-starred Vietnam House Chef/Owner Luke Nguyen shows us his take on a vegetarian pork belly salad. In Thailand, renowned chef and television presenter, Ian Kittichai gives us a whirlwind tour of Thai curries. Finally, we head to Michelin-starred Bo.Lan Restaurant in Bangkok, where Chefs Bo Songvisava and Dylan Jones make an eggplant relish, and discuss the importance of championing local farmers. Watch the full series at: https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/southeast-asia  

This plant-forward salad is inspired by a Thai green papaya salad. Chef Toni Sakaguchi from the Culinary Institute of America makes a base of shredded green papaya, and tosses that with shredded purple cabbage and romaine lettuce, and tops it with fried dumplings for a heartier entrée salad. Get the Southeast Asian Salad recipe here!

Lemongrass tofu is intensely flavorful -- packed with fragrant and citrusy lemongrass and crispy golden tofu. This plant-based dish, called đậu hũ sả in Vietnamese, is delicious served with rice or rice noodles. Chef Skyler Hanka from the Culinary Institute of America shows us how she tops the lemongrass tofu with peanuts, cilantro, sliced chilies, and some freshly shaved lemongrass for an added layer of aromatics. Get the Lemongrass Tofu recipe here!

These crispy Vietnamese spring rolls, or chả giò, are traditionally made filled with vermicelli noodles, wood ear mushrooms, pork and, sometimes, shrimp, though this can vary regionally. Chef Skylar Hanka from the Culinary Institute of America shows us how to make a vegetarian version, filled with tofu and vegetables. In Vietnam, these spring rolls are enjoyed as an appetizer, wrapped in lettuce and herbs before dipping in nước chấm. Get the Vegetarian Spring Rolls recipe here!

Savory and spicy, kimchi fried rice is a popular dish in South Korea that has endless variations. The tart and spicy kimchi, and sweetness and heat of the chili paste make kimchi fried rice a beloved dish all over the world. This vegan take on kimchi fried rice has a bit of an Asian fusion twist, with the addition of Thai herbs and crispy fried egg roll strips for a garnish. Get the Kimchi Fried Rice recipe here!

Bánh xèo are crispy and savory crepes made with rice flour that are a popular street food in southern Vietnam. Bánh xèo literally means “sizzling pancake” in Vietnamese and refers to the sizzling sound when the rice batter is poured onto the hot skillet. The crepes are stuffed with all sorts of ingredients, such as pork, prawns, mung beans, and bean sprouts. Chef Toni Sakaguchi from the Culinary Institute of America shows us a plant-forward version stuffed with mushrooms, bean sprouts, and tofu. Get the Banh Xeo recipe here! 

Johnny Madge, an international olive oil expert, judge, and guide, has been leading olive oil tours since 2008. From featuring olive oils on the menu of his former Italian restaurant to offering guided tastings at his wife’s café in Spain, Johnny has dedicated his career to exploring the flavors and nuances of high-quality olive oil. In this conversation with Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, Johnny shares expert tips on pairing olive oils with different ingredients—like enhancing cannellini beans with a bitter, pungent oil—and explains the art of co-milled oils, where olives are pressed together with lemons, oranges, or chilies to create unique flavor profiles. This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council. Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Tanya Holland—celebrity chef, cookbook author, entrepreneur, and founder of the acclaimed Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland—shares how she brings olive oil into the world of modern soul food. While many don’t traditionally associate olive oil with soul food, Tanya embraces it to make her dishes both healthier and more flavorful. From olive oil–based marinades, sauces, and vinaigrettes to sautéing collard greens in olive oil instead of lard or butter, she shows how this ingredient can elevate classic dishes. In conversation with Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, Tanya discusses the role of olive oil in the soul food kitchen and opportunities for growth within the foodservice industry. She advocates for more restaurants to use high-quality olive oil—especially in salad dressings—and to move away from industrial pre-made options. This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council. Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Dr. Michael Cirigliano, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, has been practicing for over 30 years and is a strong advocate for the concept of food as medicine. In his daily work with patients, he emphasizes practical, sustainable approaches to healthy living. In this conversation with Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, Dr. Cirigliano discusses olive oil as a powerful functional food. He explains how its antioxidant polyphenols and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats can support cholesterol and blood pressure management, reduce inflammation, protect brain function, and may even help lower the risk of certain cancers. This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council. Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Suzie Kang, Grocery Category Manager at Baldor Specialty Foods, a leading East Coast foodservice distributor, oversees the pricing, assortment, and sourcing of olive oils. She works closely with chefs to understand exactly what they’re looking for—whether it’s a medium-bodied, versatile oil, one from a specific country of origin, or a beautifully packaged bottle perfect for the table. In this conversation with Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, Suzie shares insights into retail trends in olive oil, including the rise of plastic squeeze bottles and the growing practice of including harvest dates on packaging. These trends reflect a deeper consumer awareness of olive oil freshness and quality. This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council. Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen  

Lisa McManus, Executive Editor of America’s Test Kitchen Reviews, first dove into the world of olive oil while researching an article in 2006—and has been exploring its flavors and qualities ever since. In this conversation with Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, Lisa discusses how to educate the public about the different varieties and qualities of extra virgin olive oil. They also explore the potential of social media to reach younger audiences and share the importance of understanding that olive oil is a fresh, perishable product that should be appreciated for its flavor and freshness. This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council. Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Jane Black, a Washington, DC–based food writer known for her coverage of culinary trends and the evolving world of olive oil, joins Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, for a conversation about how consumer understanding of olive oil has changed in recent years. Jane discusses the growing interest in quality, transparency, and origin, as well as the important role chefs play in telling the story behind the olive oil they choose for their restaurants. This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council. Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Chef Dominica Rice Cisneros is the owner of Bombera, a celebrated Mexican restaurant in Oakland's Dimond District, known for its Chicana heritage cooking, wood-fired techniques, and focus on community and local ingredients.  She talks about cooking with lard, butter, and corn oil as a child, and discovering olive oil when she started working in Bay Area restaurants in the 1980s. Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne is the director of Extra Virgin Alliance, and interviews Chef Dominica about how she incorporates California olive oils into her Mexican cuisine. This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council. Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Join award-winning author, pastry chef, and chocolate authority Alice Medrich as she explores the surprising—and delicious—role of extra virgin olive oil in desserts. From boosting moisture in a Chocolate Marble Pound Cake to intensifying citrus notes in a mandarin olive oil icing, Alice explains how olive oil can transform classic recipes. She’s joined by Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, for a conversation about when and why you should substitute olive oil for melted butter. Together, they discuss how using high-quality olive oil can elevate flavor, improve texture, and even make your favorite sweets a little healthier. This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council. Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Discover how Ari Weinzweig, co-founder of the legendary Zingerman’s Delicatessen, helped introduce specialty foods—and especially *extra virgin olive oil*—to the Midwest back in the 1980s, long before it became a pantry staple. In this conversation, Ari reflects on how customer tastes have evolved over the decades and how a new appreciation for high-quality olive oil has transformed the market. He’s joined by Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, who offers insight into what it takes to build consumer understanding, foster appreciation, and create real value for authentic extra virgin olive oil. Founded in 1982 with business partner Paul Saginaw, Zingerman’s has grown from a single Ann Arbor deli into a vibrant “community of businesses,” including a bakehouse, coffee company, creamery, candy manufactory, and more. This video dives into that history—and the passion behind bringing exceptional food to American tables. This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council. Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Chef Heena Patel from Besheram restaurant in San Francisco describes her dish of watermelon khichdi as the “mac n’ cheese of Gujarat,” her home state in India. That’s because this dish is the quintessential comfort food of her childhood, and a staple in many Indian households. Khichdi is a healthy and hearty Indian dish made with rice and moong lentils. Pureed watermelon flesh, as well as the rind is used to add flavor and texture to make the khichdi. Topped with pickled garlic, mango, onions, chilies, peanuts, and cubed watermelon, this one-pot meal is deeply savory, delicious, and comforting. Get the Watermelon Khichdi recipe here.