An Interview With Kirly-Sue

"I am delighted to chat with my friend TV and radio presenter Susanne Kirlew. We have shared the VegfestUK stage, we have run a film screening together of the super vegan film “Vegucated”, worked together PR-wise and I was even filmed as part of Susanne’s TV pilot.

We share a love of Jamaica and here we get to find out all about what Susanne has been working on for the past few years…." - Karin Ridgers, Editor

You are on TV! Tell us about that Susanne…

It is my absolute dream come true! On Amazon Prime I presented and produced a vegan cooking show entitled Kirly-Sue’s Global Kitchen currently available in the UK & the USA .

The show highlights how easy it can be to cook tasty vegan meals using fresh ingredients. My favourite way of cooking! I am delighted that this turning into a 3 part series!!

And filmed in the UK as well as on location in the stunning Montego Bay in Jamaica. I aim to bring together vegan cooking, travel and a panel of taste-testers for a show that is I hope informative and entertaining for everyone.

Sounds fantastic Susanne – and I have seen several of the episodes now too. Wonderful seeing you on TV – especially as I know personally what a huge dream this is for you – and how hard you have worked to make this come true.

What about your radio show as well?

Yes - I also have a radio show called Kirly-Sue’s Plant-based Kitchen on Adventist Radio London. My show broadcasts every Sunday at 12noon for an hour – here is my write up – I do hope Plant Powered Planet readers will join me! Welcome to Kirly-Sue’s Plantbased Kitchen with me your host Kirly-Sue. Each week I interview a vegan food producer and talk about their vegan journey I also have recipe of the week where I highlight a tasty vegan recipe for you to try out. In addition I like to make vegan dishes look good so I have my sister Audrey who is a florist and interior designer to tell us how to decorate our table so our dishes look good when served.

Ask Kirly Sue, is the segment in the programme where I answer some of your questions and I round up my show by giving you some vegan food or lifestyle tips.

https://adventistradio. london/podcastfilter/ plant-based-kitchen/

And we are looking forward to hearing Plant Powered Planet's Tim Barford on the show soon too.

Tell us about your cookbooks?

Yes I have an award winning plant based cookbook out entitled “Cooking with Kids”. It has tasty and easy to follow recipes that are all suitable for vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians and for those meat eaters who would like to try something new.

Sounds wonderful, why did you decide to write a cook book for kids in particular?

I have not seen many vegan cook books aimed at kids so thought this would be a good idea to meet that need.

How have you managed during Lockdown?

Like everyone there have been ups and downs. I was scheduled to do a book tour which I was really excited about however the lockdown halted all of the plans for that so I have been focusing a lot more on online cooking demos, for organisations and for various brands as well.

Also I was able to get my TV series broadcast on Amazon Prime and received a lot of publicity and media interviews etc as a result of that. So that was really positive, I love sharing a positive vegan message.

So what are your current plans for the rest of 2021?

I am currently working on a new TV series for Amazon Prime and recording season 2 of my radio shows. I also have also signed with a new agent so excited to see what opportunities that generates for me.

I am also currently completing the Forks over Knives Vegan Cooking Diploma with Rouxbe Cookery School.

And you have courses as well?

Yes I wanted to share my passion and knowledge from over the past 9 years and have created an online course with 11 different categories.

We all know now that veganism is on the rise, however some people who are considering veganism can struggle to find help.

So, I devised my easy-to-follow and informative course that answers questions like:

Do you want to be a vegan but don’t know how?

Are you bored of eating the same thing over and over again?

Would you like a list of ten things to know before becoming vegan?

Do you need a meal planner and some tasty recipes?

If this sounds familiar, this course will be of great benefit to you and will help you to make the transition from eating animal products to veganism.

You can find out more here:

https://kirly-sues-kitchenvegan.thinkific.com/courses/how-to-become-a-veganpart-1-basic-introduction

All sounding really positive Susanne – an exciting time for you. Lets go back a little bit as well – tell us what is your background careers wise?

I have a degree in Media and Cultural studies and a Masters in Public Relations. I also have a diploma in vegan cooking and I am also a trained and experienced TV presenter.

I worked in PR & Corporate Communications for many years as well. I enjoyed everything however my calling has always been to share a positive vegan message and especially reaching non vegans through my TV show.

Advice to up and coming chefs?

Learn your craft, enjoy what you do and always put your own spin on your dish.

Do you see plant based diets exploding or plateauing over the next few years?

I think they will become even more popular. Over the past 10 years I have seen veganism constantly grow, more and more people are becoming vegan. And of course so many vegan options are around now as well.

Of course I remember fondly my cookery demos at VegfestUK as well – and when I went on Scottish TV for VegfestUK a few years back too. Wonderful memories and I do hope we can do this all again.

Any long term plans?

I am currently in negotiations with a huge media platform to develop a new vegan cookery show.

WOW! That’s wonderful Susanne. We wish you all the best from Plant Powered Planet – thanks for chatting and look forward to hearing how it all goes for you.

Be sure to check out Kirly-Sue's Global Kitchen:

...And the book 'Cooking With Kids':