There’s no shortage of innovative breakfast and brunch food in Asheville, but the selection of vegan fare in the morning is somewhat limited. Enter Ken Delia, a chef at Plant restaurant and creative culinarian who is launching his own breakfast series, Goldie’s Pop-Up, at downtown coffee shop Trade and Lore. The inaugural event happens 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 28.
“I’ve been wanting to experiment with something of my own,” says Delia, who has been working at Plant for about a year and a half. “I started seeing someone who was also a vegan, and everything I looked at [as far as menu items go] didn’t look all that great. Either things were too far out of town or didn’t have much to offer that was vegan.”
The menu at Goldie’s will reflect a combination of traditional favorites with some creative additions. “The goal is to have things that are familiar but to make them vegan and add some sophistication and elegance — like a vegan French toast with a twist, like chai coconut-crusted French toast.”
One item that will definitely be on Goldie’s inaugural menu is “pumpkin pancakes, using pumpkin instead of egg as a thickener,” Delia says. Because who says pumpkin should be restricted to fall?
The pop-up will probably be set up outside, weather permitting. Everything will be vegan, and there will be gluten-free options available, too.
Prices and menu items are subject to change, but the lineup thus far includes maple pumpkin pancakes with apple compote and candied pecans; a fruit bowl with grilled watermelon, strawberry, basil and balsamic reduction; farmers market vegetable pile with spring vegetables, butter beans, cashew cream and lemon-herb sauce; and loaded whole wheat toast with almond cheese, radish and pink peppercorns.
Prices will range from $2 to $10 per item. Trade and Lore also offers plenty of caffeinated drink choices and plant-based milks.
As for future installations of Goldie’s Pop-Up, Delia says, “The plan is to start out doing it on a set schedule — the last Saturday of every month. If there’s a lot of interest, then I’ll start offering more days. We want to keep it on a set schedule so people can plan ahead.”
Goldie’s Popup series kicks off on Saturday, May 28, serving breakfast/brunch 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Trade and Lore, 37 Wall St. For details, visit the event Facebook page.
