Vegan dishes made easy with Fiona Anchal

If you’re looking to eat less meat and add more vegetables and wholefoods to your diet, you won’t want to miss out on seeing Wholesome Bellies founder Fiona Anchal live on stage at this year’s Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival.

The passionate plant-based chef from Brisbane will demonstrate how to create simple, nourishing, and mouthwatering vegan meals your friends and family will love when the festival returns to the Woody Point foreshore from August 23-25.

“I’m looking forward to sharing my take on food and opening people’s minds to show them what’s possible when it comes to vegan cooking,” Fiona says.

“There are lot of amazing ingredients that can add flavour to your dishes which will have people saying, ‘oh my God, I can’t believe this is vegan’.

“I would really like to show people how to make my vegan bolognaise sauce using all the incredible produce from the region, and maybe even recreate a ricotta or chocolate mousse using tofu.

“Mushrooms are also a great way to create meat-like textures without using meat in dishes, so I would like to talk about that as well.

“For me, I don’t believe in forcing people down the path of veganism, but I do like to show people what you can do with some different ingredients.”

This will be Fiona’s first time appearing at the festival, which she says she is really looking forward to.

“Being surrounded by lots of passionate foodies is my jam,” Fiona says.

“The festival is going to be a wonderful way to meet new producers and people from Moreton Bay and around South East Queensland, and give me the opportunity to use what they grow in my dishes and allow me to take some delicious goodies home as well.”

Fiona will be appearing on The Kitchenette Stage on:

Friday: 11.45am-12.15pm

Saturday: 4.45pm-5.15pm

Sunday: 2.15pm-2.45pm

Tickets are on sale now via the Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival website. 

About Wholesome Bellies

What started as a ‘side hustle’ in 2019 has now evolved into a full-time business for Fiona.

The Wholesome Bellies website features a collection of free recipes, hands-on vegan cooking classes, the chance to book a vegan long table dinner, a pantry to stock up on all your goods, plus a ready meals delivery version.

“I love helping people cook easy, fresh and delicious meals at home,” Fiona says.

“I never thought this would grow into what it has today – it’s really incredible.”

Get to know Fiona

Q: What is one of your favourite things to indulge in?

A: Definitely pasta. I love a good pasta with a rich, red tomato sauce and basil - that is my go-to meal! It sounds so simple and only has a few ingredients, but oh my God, it’s just so good. That would be my death row meal!

Q: If you could dine with any three people, who would you choose.

A: My mum, dad and nonna. Both my dad and my nonna have passed away and I would love to share another meal with them.

Q: What is one item you hate running out of at home?

A: Salt. For me, it’s not possible to make anything without salt.

Q: What is your advice to other parents to get kids interested in healthy eating?

A: Start them young, keep putting things on their plate even if they don’t like it because their tastebuds will change as they grow older, and get them involved so they can have fun and learn about what they are eating.