Vegan at Tiff’s

Kaya Gromocki interviews Tiffany Williams about being a vegan foodie and online content creator

Tell us a little bit about yourself, and what drew you to veganism

Hey! I’m Tiff, a vegan foodie, content creator, digital marketing gal and cat mum! I love sharing my recipe creations plus restaurant and product discoveries over on my Instagram page @vegan_at_tiffs.

When I was growing up, I saw eating animal products as the norm. I never really took a step back to question the true reality or my own thoughts and feelings. I went vegan in 2016 after binge-watching documentaries and short films. The Earthlings documentary was one that stood out for me. It was like it flicked a switch in my brain. The day I watched it, I made the choice to transition to a vegan lifestyle. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. When it comes to developing your recipes, where do you get your ideas? Are there any particular cultures you draw inspiration from?

I really enjoy variety and I love to try new foods, so my recipes are drawn from numerous different cultures. They are also influenced by my surroundings and my peers. I love all the inspiration that you can get from Instagram – it’s a great creative outlet for so many people.

I’m currently loving East Asian cuisine as there are so many different cooking methods and flavours to really jazz up your veggies. I love to cook traditional recipes, but I equally enjoy adding a cheeky twist to them!

The food in your posts always looks fantastic. Do you think this helps to engage non-vegan followers? And do you have any tips for taking great food photos?

Thank you so much! Yes, absolutely. I receive a lot of messages from non-vegans who are in awe of the range of different possibilities available when it comes to plant-based cooking. For instance, my Southern Fried Oyster Mushrooms (page 16) always receive positive feedback, and it goes to show that so much food can be veganised and enjoyed.

I guess the preconception is that vegan food is boring, but actually since going vegan I have gained so much more than I’ve lost from my meals, as I’ve discovered and introduced more variety into my diet.

My photography skills have definitely improved over time. I invested in a DSLR camera and props such as backdrops and gorgeous tableware.

Social media can get a bad rep when it comes to its impact on our mental health. How do you ensure you keep a positive relationship with social media as an Instagrammer?

I think a lot of it comes down to comparison. We tend to compare ourselves to others, and social media is pretty much a highlight reel of the best bits of everyone’s lives.

If anyone gives negative vibes or you don’t like the way you feel after seeing their posts, my advice is to unfollow them. Protect your energy. And if you don’t want to upset them, there is also the option to ‘mute’ their posts, so they won’t show up in your feed.

I do try to limit the amount of time I spend on Instagram. It has a ‘Your activity’ feature, which allows you to see how long, on average, you spend on the app per day. I also use the ‘Daily reminder’ feature to notify me once I’ve spent a set period of time on there, so that I can be mindful of my usage. As we all know, veganism is more than just a diet. When it comes to fashion and beauty brands, how do you go about finding products that work for you and align with your principles?

Haha – I spend all my money on food, so I don’t buy much in the way of fashion! Finding companies that sit well with your moral compass definitely takes research. I often discover fashion and beauty brands through those I follow online and also through visiting specialist markets.

The London vegan scene is always evolving. How have you seen it change during your time living in the capital, and what are your hopes for the future?

The rise in vegan options has exploded in the last few years in London. I have a never-ending list of restaurants, cafes and street food stalls that I want to visit, which is amazing. Plus, there are so many more places which aren’t fully vegan but offer options that are far more exciting than just chips. What I’d really love to see in the future is a vegan shopping centre where people can get together to eat, drink and shop. That would be epic.

Do you have any exciting projects planned for the coming year?

I’m working with some absolutely incredible brands, so there is plenty of exciting content in the pipeline. I’m always looking for ways to spread the vegan message and I enjoy collaborating with others in the community. There are definitely some exciting plans ahead! Stay up to date with Tiff’s foodie and lifestyle adventures at @vegan_at_tiffs on Instagram and turn the page to find three of Tiff’s delicious recipe creations!

The rise in vegan options has exploded in the last few years in London.