by WES FERGUSON
Some people think vegan food is synonymous with bad-tasting food, according to Veronica and James Chapa. Those doubters must not have tasted Veronica’s nondairy mac and cheese.
“Oh my God, it’s so good,” she said as she sampled a spoonful of the gooey pasta at her commercial kitchen in Kyle. Then she held another spoonful to a visitor’s mouth. “You’re not going to say no. See! Don’t knock it till you try it.”
The Chapas will be giving the public a taste of their cuisine when they host a “healthy happy hour” on Friday afternoon to mark the grand opening of Veggytopia, a vegan meal delivery service in Kyle.
In business for about a week and a half, Veggytopia offers healthy, plant-based meals that range from eggplant parmesan Italiano to wild mushroom penne, hearty stews and macaroni and cheese.
Veronica, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin, is the executive chef, while James, a real-estate agent, is the chief taster. The Kyle couple are the parents of three girls who also swear by their mom’s cooking.
“If we can get kids to love it, it makes the transition to plant-based food that much easier,” said James.
Veggytopia delivers meals from Round Rock to New Braunfels and points in-between. The deadline to place an order is 8 p.m. Friday. Veronica and her employees prepare the meals over the weekend, and the food is delivered or available for pickup on Mondays.
A standard order, for $97, provides 10 to 14 meals and consists of four entrees, four sides and one dessert.
“It’s affordable for families, but it’s also high quality, plant-based food that is convenient,” Veronica said.
The couple are working with consulting chef Bill Najger, the owner of Cornucopia Meals, an organic bulk meal franchise based in Asheville, N.C. Veggytopia is the sixth vegan delivery service that he has helped launch around the country, he said.
Veggytopia grand opening
What: Ribbon-cutting ceremony and “healthy happy hour” for vegan meal delivery service
When: 4:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: 130-A Kirkham Circle, near the corner of Jack C. Hays Trail and Rebel Drive in Kyle
Contact: 512-843-7700, [email protected], www.veggytopia.com
