British vegan chef Omari McQueen—who is only 12 years old—will publish his first cookbook in January 2021. Omari McQueen’s Best Bites Cookbook will feature 30 easy-to-make plant-based recipes crafted by the young chef. “I don’t want animals to die or be eaten so I teach people my age to be vegan,” McQueen, who went vegan at the age of 7, said in a recent mini-documentary. McQueen created his own vegan brand Dipalicious at eight years old after starting a YouTube channel where he filmed himself making a vegan pizza served with his own Caribbean Kick dip. Last year, McQueen hosted a Dipalcious pop-up restaurant in Croydon, United Kingdom, where he served a variety of vegan Caribbean-inspired fare.
The book will be published by media brand Scholastic UK, which acquired world publishing rights from literary agent Oscar Janson-Smith at Kruger Crowne. “Omari McQueen is inspirational. At just 12 years old, he has achieved so much. His passion for food and cooking is irresistible,” Scholastic UK Publishing Manager Leah James said. “Children everywhere have been busy learning to cook during lockdown; we can’t wait for Omari to share his recipes, tips, and enthusiasm with a generation of children and their families. Omari is leading a new generation of ethical minded foodies into a more sustainable future.”
McQueen took to Instagram to thank all of his supporters for making his new cookbook possible. “I would like to thank everyone for all your love, support, and encouragement. I would also like to say thank you to the one and only @oscarjansonsmith you have had my back for years, you believed in me from the beginning and @krugercowne, @scholastic_uk for giving me a chance to share my passion to the world,” McQueen said. “Mummy and daddy, you’re the best a boy like me could have. Thank you to my siblings and family for being you—perfect 100 percent.”
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