By Ally Hansen, Staff Writer
The caf’s vegan chef, Destiny Hand, doesn’t let a lack of formal training stop her from creating vegan menus for students.
She’s not a vegan herself, but the students who eat her creations don’t seem to mind.
Although this is only Hand’s second year at OCU, she said she has always been interested in cooking. Before coming to OCU, she worked at University of Central Oklahoma as a baker. She was born in Seminole, Okla., but has lived in Florida and Texas as well.
Not only did Hand teach herself how to cook, but she specifically taught herself how to be a vegan chef. She said she spent lots of time in Barnes & Noble and read new cookbooks every weekend to help master her skills.
Hand said, since she is not a vegan, she often has vegan students test and comment on her food.
She is open to tips about how to improve her cooking.
Often, students will give her recipes to try.
“I’m open arms to everything,” Hand said.
Hand enjoys cooking junk food with a healthy spin. One of Hand’s greatest accomplishments is providing desserts at the raw vegan bar. She said the desserts attract a lot of athletes and others who are not vegan.
Hand makes her own menu each week. Some of her personal favorite dishes include an apple, spinach and lemon juice salad and walnut tacos. When trying out new recipes, Hand makes them at home before bringing them to campus.
Hand takes pride in her work.
“There is a big difference between a chef and a cook,” Hand said. “A cook will see what’s in there, throw it in one pot, and send it out. A chef is very particular and detailed.”
During Hand’s two years on campus, the vegan bar has grown significantly. Hand said when she first started, she only served about 20 students a day. Now she serves nearly 100 entrees every day.
“I try to make every plate the same,” Hand says.
The vegan bar is open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hand also makes a point to celebrate birthdays with a vegan cupcake or a special juice. Make sure you express any allergies before indulging in these treats.
“This is a great school,” Hand said. “It’s awesome, it really is.”
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