Another chef in Austin who supports the spread of plant-based cooking is Marko Ellinger, who is a plant-based wellness chef in Austin. Ellinger primarily focuses on teaching people how to cook plant-based and has been in this line of work for almost 40 years. He taught at Natural Epicurean - which is a plant-based culinary school in Austin - for five years, and he has been influenced by other chefs and instructors. Although he was originally trained to cook all kinds of food, he pivoted to plant-based cooking many years ago. “I could see that it was not just more rewarding, it was more creative,” he said.
“I think about all of the animals that are being sent to the slaughterhouses, what they go through, the fact that they’re living beings with feelings and emotions. I recognize how important it is to not contribute to that.”
Chef Ellinger deals with a lot of people who have a hard time starting plant-based cooking because they believe it’s too difficult. “If I’m talking to somebody who doesn’t really like to cook, I have to put them in an even more challenging category because, part of the answer as far as they’re concerned, is being comfortable in the kitchen and being able to do it for themself. And that is cooking wholesome meals at home, which will do wonders for your well-being,” he said. Chef Ellinger also shares the belief with Marlon Rison that plant-based diets would be good for people and the planet because
of the negative effects of animal farming. “Well, I mean, if you just look at the numbers, 15% of global greenhouse emissions result from livestock farming. Right there, that’s a huge number,” he said. This type of farming also contributes greatly to global warming, climate change, and CO2 emissions. He also believes that humans have plenty of other food options available to help provide an adequate diet, so there’s no reason for us to be consuming animals. In addition, Ellinger adds that Austin is a progressive city, thus plant-based diets are on the rise and easily spread amongst people. “We’ve got all kinds of farmer’s markets. We’ve got really interesting restaurants. And we’ve even got a vegan fest. We’ve got all kinds of events that support plant-based,” he shared The main piece of advice that these experts can give people who are wanting to go plant-based is to take it slow. Although some people take the big leap of faith like Marlon Rison - most people are the most successful when they take baby steps and slowly introduce plant-based foods into their diets, whether it be adding vegetables in their rice instead of chicken, or replacing their hamburgers with veggie patties. As Marko Ellinger says, “I would just say try it out sometimes, maybe even just once a week. See what you think. I think a soft approach is a lot more sustainable, but there is no doubt in my mind it’s way better for people.” One popular example is having Meatless Mondays. This is a movement that encourages people to reduce/remove meat from their diets on Mondays, which could possibly encourage them to keep
Chef Marko has been preaching and teaching wellness cooking for 40 years. (Courtesy of Marko Ellinger)
up the practice throughout the week. This movement allows people who don’t have much experience to start somewhere and see how it goes. Austin is one of the most rapidly growing cities in the nation. With this, more open-minded people are moving here, thus plantbased diets are spreading. Because of this, Austin is transforming into a healthy, compassionate, earthloving, and healthful city. These restaurants, food trucks, and plantbased experts/eaters are just a small percentage of the vast number that support and participate in plant based living. The future of this city is looking to be very sustainable and green.
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