Celebrity Chef Spike Mendelsohn Goes Vegan for Veganuary

Celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn—an alum of popular Bravo series Top Chef—is going vegan for Veganuary and urges everyone to do the same. “Veganuary is the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to move towards a healthier diet or reduce their carbon footprint to enjoy more amazing plant-based food this year,” Mendelsohn said. “I’m joining my vegan wife Cody and millions of others around the world this month to show people how delicious, easy and fun a vegan diet can be.” 

In 2019, Mendelsohn opened his first location of vegan fast-food chain PLNT Burger in Silver Spring, MD with a menu that features Beyond Burgers topped with Follow Your Heart’s vegan cheese, mushroom-bacon, and guacamole, alongside Beyond Meat-based chili, Beyond Sausage-stuffed hot dogs, and vegan chicken sandwiches made with crispy oyster mushrooms. Since then, the chef has expanded PLNT Burger to seven locations inside Whole Foods Markets. In 2021, Mendelsohn plans to expand the concept to multiple stand-alone restaurants.   

Veganuary deals
As he challenges himself to go vegan, Mendelsohn is also making it easier for others to try plant-based food during Veganuary with robust specials at his PLNT Burger chain. During Veganuary, PLNT Burger will offer half-price cheeseburgers ($3.95) while supplies last and$5 off all orders placed through the PLNT Burger app. “Going plant-based for a month is a win-win: a win for the environment because consuming less industrialized animal products means there is less water used, less carbon dioxide emissions and less land needed, and a win for our health because of all the added benefits that come from eating a plant-based diet,” Mendelsohn said.

In addition to discounts, PLNT Burger will host a one-day pop-up on January 14 at all of its locations serving a Breakfast Sandwich made with Beyond Meat breakfast sausages, Follow Your Heart cheese, and Just Egg. On January 25, the chain will beef up its menu with The Steakhouse Burger, a new option the chain describes as its “meatiest and juiciest burger yet.”

“Veganuary is here to encourage and support anyone who wants to try vegan,” Veganuary’s US Director Wendy Matthews said. “We are grateful to work with restaurants like PLNT Burger who make our mission significantly easier for the growing number of conscious consumers in the US by offering delicious, satisfying, sustainable options.”