Young Vegan Chef

TRANSCRIPT
Young Vegan Chef

NARRATOR:
Anyone can be a role model by inspiring others through everyday actions. Omari McQueen learned to cook vegan food at the age of seven, and has since built a substantial online following, alongside launching his own range of dips, snacks and juice packs. When he was just 11, he started running his own pop-up kitchen in Croydon.

SOUNDBITE - Omari McQueen:
“This is pumpkin soup, this is rice and peas. It feels really fun to be in charge because I like being the boss.”

NARRATOR:
At lunchtime, things could get busy, but support was provided by Omari's family. His big brother Laqarn was so impressed that he chose to spend his holidays working alongside him.

SOUNDBITE – Laqarn McQueen:
“I'm here just helping him at the till and then he's back there cooking.”

NARRATOR:
In the kitchen, Omari liked things done his way and everyone else had to keep up -- even his dad!

SOUNDBITE - Jermaine McQueen:
“He's alright. Bit bossy, though. A bit bossy, Yeah.”

NARRATOR: 
But his confidence is only part of the story. Omari has had to find his own way to overcome challenges in the kitchen.

SOUNDBITE - Leah McQueen:
“Omari has dyslexia and he finds it very difficult to read the labels of, like, different seasonings and things. So what he does is he smells them to see which ones he wants to put in, and that's how he makes his decision on what he's going to put in his food.”

NARRATOR: 
Now, at just 13, Omari is sharing his skills with others. In an in-depth workshop led by Omari, catering managers from schools across Waltham Forest are being guided through new plant-based recipes. Today’s focus: vegan meatball burritos. Omari wants to help schools offer healthy meals to more children. 

SOUNDBITE - Omari McQueen:
“I want them to, like, improve on their menus. As some kids, they're not getting the nutrition and health that they need.”

NARRATOR: 
With the burritos prepared, the outcome was ready to be tested.

SOUNDBITE - vox pop:
“Very nice. Delicious.“

NARRATOR: 
The workshop may be over, but the impact is expected to continue. Being a role model isn’t about age; it’s about action, collaboration, and the example you set for others.