We’re looking forward to introducing you to Janay Laing. Check out our conversation below.
Janay , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I’m reading Melanie Joy, a social psychologist who has written some incredible books on social justice. I’m currently reading “How to End Injustice Everywhere”, which explores the root myths and ideas that create bias and discrimination, and lead to injustice towards both humans and animals.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Janay and I’m a plant-based food educator and founder of “Make Plants Delicious”. My mission is to show people how easy and delicious plant-based food can be. I mostly work out of libraries in Miami-Dade County, where I teach people how to cook everything from Cuban fritas burgers and steak to tacos, Jamaican jerk chicken and cheesecake – all vegan. Once they taste it, people can’t believe how delicious plant-based food is, and the best part is they’re made with products you can find in most large supermarkets, like Publix, Winn Dixie or Walmart.
Vegan food is so much more accessible than it used to be, and it is so good for our health, so I feel compelled to keep getting out there and spreading this message.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My old boss Hakin – I worked for him at the Vegetarian Restaurant by Hakin in North Miami Beach, before it closed in 2023. He was an old-school hard worker and wouldn’t tolerate laziness in any of his employees. He taught us to be self-sufficient, take the lead and be proactive – not to wait around for a manager or boss or tell you what to do. This was a big deal, because most food service jobs really don’t care much about you or your personal development. At most places, you’re just another employee whose sole job is to clock in, do the work and take orders from management- they don’t try to cultivate good habits and work ethic in you.
Hakin did the opposite. He saw the potential for greatness in everyone and always pushed us to work hard, pay attention to details, communicate better, and figure out problems on our own. He encouraged self-sufficiency and independence in us, and those lessons remain with me to this day.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
O Cinema in Wynwood. Wynwood is over-developed and so commercialized, and O Cinema was one of those amazing beacons of culture and community that brought people together with unique and memorable indie films. I’ll forever be grateful to them for creating that space and providing that escape.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Colin Kaepernick, because he spoke a controversial truth and took the fall for it. I admire his resolve, because unlike other celebrities who are quick to retract an unpopular statement, he stood by his beliefs even when it cost him his career and reputation. He didn’t back down. That kind of public display of courage and sacrifice is incredibly rare, and he’s an example for us all.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If immortality were real, what would you build?
Great question – I want to build a fish sanctuary in the Florida Keys, because I want to create a center of learning and compassion for these highly misunderstood and mistreated animals. Most people don’t think of fishing as animal abuse because they perceive that fish are “dumber” than other animals and don’t feel pain, but science and our direct experiences tell us the opposite. Fish do experience pain and suffering. So my fish sanctuary would educate people about these wonderful animals and our biological connection to them, as well as provide veterinary and rehabilitation services for various species of fish. I also want to explore providing holistic treatments for them – like seeing how they respond to acupuncture.
In addition, I’d start a “Fishing Pole Exchange Program” where people turn in their fishing poles and get to enjoy free snorkeling trips and other activities so they can interact with marine animals in more life-giving way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.makeplantsdelicious.com
- Instagram: @JanaysFlavorClass
- Youtube: @Janay’s Flavor Class
Image Credits
Janay Laing
