Vegan café to open on Halkett Street

Tuesday 07 August 2018

Frustrated over the lack of vegan options in Jersey cafés and restaurants, one woman has decided to take the matter into her own hands and open her own vegan café on Halkett Street.

31-year-old Clarissa Negro is hoping to open 'The Sinful Vegan' at the end of September, with a selection of tasty dishes aimed at proving being vegan does not have to be boring.

Born in Italy, Clarissa moved to Jersey when she was just 10 years old. After being a vegetarian for 21 years, she became vegan two years ago. She says she quickly got bored of the vegan options available in local restaurants. "Every time I go out to eat, there is not a lot of choice. There is not much option and I find it really frustrating. When I go out with friends and family, it's always a boring option, like a salad or something bland."

Passionate about veganism - "I love animals," Clarissa says - she always had in her mind the idea of opening her own vegan café. But it wasn't until December last year that she took the plunge. "I said 'that's it, that's my passion, this is what I am going to do,'" she explains. Clarissa enrolled in courses at Highlands and studied hospitality, barista skills as well as health and safety. She then went on to work in a vegan café in the UK to gain more practical experience. 

After this she tackled all the necessary paperwork to set up her own business, "It took forever," she laughs. Once all the papers were in order, she started looking for premises and eventually settled on something she had seen on Halkett Street.

Pictured: Clarissa's café should open in September on Halkett Street.

Last week, Clarissa finally took to social media to announce her plans and she was pleasantly surprised of the reception she got. In just over 10 days, the café Facebook's page received over 800 likes. Some people have been intrigued by the name chosen by Clarissa. "I picked 'The Sinful Vegan' because there will be a lot of sinful food and junk food on the menu so I wanted to incorporate that in the name. I also wanted a rebellious feel because to me, being vegan is in a way being rebellious as you against everyone's belief."

A lot of islanders have also shared their excitement about the café opening with Clarissa. "Some mums are thanking me because their child is allergic to eggs and dairy and can't go to places where there could be cross-contamination.

"I didn't expect this. I have received a lot of messages from people wanting to work for me. Most of them are vegans which is really important to me. I think that being vegan they would be more passionate about wanting to work here. It wouldn't be just a job for them."

For Clarissa, who currently works as a receptionist at New Era Vets, 'The Sinful Café' will be definitely not be just a job. "I am really excited about the whole process and I am really passionate about it. I have wanted to open something where vegans could go and know everything has been cooked in a vegan kitchen with no cross-contamination possible.

"I want to offer really exciting choices and replicate a lot of standard dishes, in vegan form. For example, I want to make a burger but I want it to have a real meaty texture. It will be served with vegan cheese, vegan bacon, onion rings, the whole thing, just like a 'normal' burger."

The Sinful Vegan will also serve freakshakes and nutritional lattes, including a beetroot one which is a healthy alternative to coffee. "I want a lot of junk food and healthy food as well of course so there is something for every one. Basically, I want to serve the things I would like to see in places.

"I want choices that people are excited about. We will also have a lot of specials every week and one I am really excited about will be fish and chips."

Pictured: Among the tasty selection at the Sinful Vegan will feature (from left) a hot chocolate with whipped cream, marshmallows and truffles, vanilla cupcakes with jam filling and buttercream frosting and a beetroot latte.

Clarissa also wants the café to have as little an impact on its environment as possible and for it to be positive. 'The Sinful Vegan' will therefore be anti-plastic and anti-waste. "To reduce the waste I will be helping the community by giving some food to the homeless and using Olio," said Clarissa.

While the Sinful Vegan is obviously aimed at vegans, Clarissa is hoping the menu will also tempt meat-eaters' tastebuds. "Obviously I want to get the local vegans in but I also want those who are not vegan to come in and try. I would like to change their perception of vegan food as boring. I want them to be excited and intrigued about trying the food we serve.

"There are also a lot of people who are lactose intolerant or gluten intolerant. We will have options for them too."

With only a few weeks to go before the café opens its doors, Clarissa is busy putting the final touches to the menu and supervising the refurbishment of her new space. While running a business is a daunting experience, she can count on the support of her brother, David Negro, who recently opened Pizzeria Famosa at La Colomberie. "He used to be a vegetarian, so he is open to the idea of being vegan," she explains. "He has been very supportive."