As the saying goes, “The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach.” Allison Rivers Samson has been winning over both hearts and stomachs since 1997 with her award-winning vegan bakery Allison’s Gourmet, and has certainly won over Mercy For Animals, as Allison’s is one of our favorite vegan bakeries out there.
Allison’s Gourmet desserts are sure to make great holiday gifts and MFA was fortunate enough to sit down and talk with Allison just before her holiday rush begins.
Please tell us about the inspiration for Allison’s Gourmet.
Allison’s Gourmet was born out of my personal need for vegan desserts that taste fantastic. Yes, I really did say, “need.” Way back in the dark ages of 1989, the choices were few and dismal so I got to work veganizing traditional sweets… After a long dormancy, that seed germinated when I went to cooking school and then perfected my vegan baking techniques. In 1997, I went into business selling vegan desserts to Seattle-area individuals and restaurants. Throughout the years, that little seed has grown into a beautiful tree with deep roots and lush leaves, fully abundant with delicious and varied fruits, evolving “Allison’s Cookies” into “Allison’s Gourmet,” a premium vegan bakery and confectionary boutique.
What do you hope to teach people through your efforts at Allison’s Gourmet? (Whether through your delicious gourmet treats or writing, blogging, etc.)
Becoming aware of the unimaginable horrors animals endure was (and continues to be) very painful for me. As humans, we are endowed with the gift of choice and it was learning about the animals’ lives that made choice possible for me. Living vegan, I am completely fulfilled emotionally and physically by my whole-foods diet. Becoming vegan turned me into a foodie. I want everyone to have these opportunities, so my goal is to blatantly flaunt the decadent pleasures of a vegan lifestyle while rewarding people for making the choice to live compassionately. It’s 2010 – deprivation doesn’t live here anymore.
What advice would you give people interested in veganizing their favorite baked goods?
There are several easy replacements for eggs (bananas, applesauce, etc.), milk (dairy-free milks like nut, coconut, rice, etc.) and butter (vegan margarine) that can be found in health food stores and/or on the Internet. Play in the kitchen and choose your favorites! In all cases, I suggest using the highest-quality ingredients you can find or afford since low-quality ingredients make for less-than-optimal results. When it comes to food, you truly do get what you pay for. And if your recipe calls for just one egg, simply skip it and add a tablespoon or two of water in its place.
Your award-winning vegan desserts have received rave reviews from vegans and non-vegans alike. Which dessert is your personal favorite?
This is such a hard question; it’s like asking me which of my children I love the most! To be honest, everything we offer originated from a personal craving, so every single item we have is a favorite of mine. Yes, I love sweets that much! I do seem to reach for some things more often than others though. Our Chocolate Almond Toffee is perfect when I want something crunchy, buttery, and rich; Walnut Fudge is oooh, la, la delish with nutty accents atop a bed of creamy sweetness; Pecan Brownies excite my taste buds with their deep chocolaty, chewy goodness and buttery toasted pecans; and I often fall in love all over again with whatever is the current flavor of the month in our Monthly Club. I could go on, but I think I’ll have a Peanut Butter Cup instead. 🙂
We think your products make ideal holiday gifts and we are not the only ones. Emily Deschanel from the hit TV show Bones said, “I love sending Allison’s Gourmet fudge and brownies to people, especially during the holidays. Knowing that you can send a delicious gift that hasn’t harmed any animals makes me, and the animals, so happy!” What are your best-selling holiday gifts?
Thank you so much! When influential people use their positions to speak up for animals and inspire others to live more kindly, it makes a better world for us all. I’m honored to help in some small way by providing the “how” with a service for sending impressive gifts that show off how delectable and glamorous vegan goodies can be.
Our most popular gifts include our Monthly Clubs, Gift Baskets and Vegan Samplers.
Tell us a little about your Sweet Talk blog. What inspired you to start the blog?
The idea for our blog came from wanting more personal interaction and frequent updates than was provided by our monthly newsletters. It also fosters connection by growing deeper roots within our vegan community, having discussions about playing in the kitchen, and offering an inside view into Allison’s Gourmet.
Thank you for this opportunity. I am deeply grateful for MFA’s heroic efforts on behalf of animals. Your voice is critical for our precious friends who cannot speak. Your courage and deeply valuable work inspire us every day.
Check out Allisonsgourmet.com and treat yourself or a loved one to some yummy treats today!
