For tired, browbeaten cube-dwellers, happy hour is a savior. It's honored by omnivores and vegans alike, despite the fact that bar bites aren't generally heavy on the plants.
Luckily, Whole Foods downtown Miami has launched a Vegan Happy Hour series designed to school people on how to make plant-based versions of their favorite snacks. Every Monday in March (except the 23rd), Healthy Eating specialist Genesis Defilippi will serve mocktails and bites inspired by happy hour menus.
See also: Vegan Eating at Whole Foods Downtown Miami (Photos)
The idea was a collaborative concept between Genesis Defilippi, the store's Healthy Eating and Green Mission specialist, and her marketing director.
"I've been a vegan for two years so she obviously knew this was the perfect event for me," said Defillippi. "We both decided it would be good to maybe host something or do some kind of classes."
The classes run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and everyone is welcome.
"I have a crowd of people joining me, seeing what i have in store for them," says Defilippi.
On the menu are vegan-inspired appetizers and mocktails, with different options each week.
The first menu was: "lemonade with some cayenne pepper. It was a lemonade spritzer so it had some soda water. Then I did sweet potato fries with an avocado lime dip and to end it off I did chickenless patty bites," says Defilippi.
The upcoming weekly themes include:
Monday, March 9 - Calle Vegan: Honoring this year's Calle Oche festival, this installment will feature salsa, merengue, and mock-jitos.
Monday, March 16 - The Luck of the Vegan: This class will cover incorporating more greens into your favorite dishes.
Monday, March 30 - Good Fishless Monday: This meeting will feature fish-less meals to eat for Good Friday.
The happy hours will be taking place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Whole Foods Market Downtown Miami's outdoor cafe area, 299 SE Third St. You can find out more about the series on the Whole Foods Facebook page.
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