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Bryant Terry, Eco-Chef

Who’s putting the soul into vegan cooking? Oakland writer, “eco-chef” and activist Bryant Terry (www.bryant-terry.com).
     The author of 2009’s Vegan Soul Kitchen: Fresh, Healthy and Creative African-American Cuisine and 2006’s Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen (which he co-authored with Anna Lappé) has been doing his part to spread the word about cooking with — and eating — fresh, local, seasonal and sustainably-grown food. He brings together the healthy and soulful with recipes like black-eyed pea fritters with hot pepper sauce, cold and creamy cucumber-watermelon soup with pickled watermelon rind salsa and fried green tomatoes with creamy celeriac sauce. He proves that “vegan” doesn’t have to translate as “meek.”
    Presently putting the final touches on his third book and toiling on a television project, Terry lives with his fiancée in the Laurel District and gets out regularly to a few foodie favorites.

Champa Garden
Since it is tucked away in a residential neighborhood, San Antonio, near Lake Merritt, you might miss this restaurant if you blink. Tasty, unpretentious Thai, Laotian and Vietnamese food.  2102 Eighth Ave., (510) 238-8819

The Food Mill
Forget about W**** F****. Go support this independently owned natural foods market — located in the Laurel District — that has been open since 1933. They have an extensive bulk food section, ample supplements and knowledgeable (plus friendly) staff. 3033 MacArthur Blvd., (510) 482-3848, www.foodmillonline.com

Korean barbecue/taco truck on High Street and Foothill Boulevard
Opened by the owners of Cock-a-Doodle Cafe, this is some good and inexpensive eatin’. Chevron parking lot

Cock-a-Doodle Cafe
Located in Old Oakland, this is one of my favorite breakfast-brunch spots. The portions are generous, the food is tasty and it is women-owned and operated. Go when it is sunny outside and enjoy the back patio. 719 Washington St., (510) 465-5400,  www.cockadoodlecafe.com

East Bay Restaurant Supply
Great place to grab kitchen supplies at a fair price. 49 Fourth St., (800) 743-2526, www.eastbayrestaurantsupply.com