The uplifting 6-episode travelogue-style show explores the global rise of the plant-based movement.
The plant-based food trend is truly unstoppable, and now a first-of-its-kind vegan travelogue series from celebrated Australian directors Kate Clere and Mick McIntyre is hitting screens around the world.
Inspiration from around the world
Across six half-hour episodes, viewers are introduced to the thriving vegan scene in the world’s leading plant-based culinary hotspots, guided by a local host.
Starting in the US, the EATING PLANTS series progresses to Germany, followed by Israel, the UK, China, and finally Australia, for a taste of what each booming plant-based destination has to offer.
Along the way, viewers discover exciting vegan foods, dishes and venues, and learn plant-based recipes, cooking and nutrition tips.
“We wanted to offer meat and plant eaters alike tips on flavours, textures, tastes and offer a new range of recipes that will add protein and nutrients to plant-based meals,” says co-creator Kate Clere. “The series aims to help educate people around this delicious new culinary trend; how to cook, shop, snack, and pack great healthy food in lunchboxes.”
Luminaries and leaders
The episode hosts engage with an array of experts, innovators and changemakers who are reshaping the way we eat. Along with inspiration from the hosts themselves – all of whom are vegan influencers in their own right – the series is packed with ideas and insights from plant-based doctors, athletes, chefs and other luminaries of the plant-based movement.
Notable leading lights appearing in EATING PLANTS include NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Forbes 50 over 50 luminary Miyoko Schinner, Caro Cult from Netflix BioHackers, Earthlings Director Shaun Monson, and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine founder and director Dr Neal Barnard.
Episode hosts include British model and entrepreneur Lucy Watson, German vegan doctor and Queer Eye star Dr Aljosha Muttardi and, here in Australia, the acclaimed actor, producer and screenwriter Martin Dingle Wall, whose tour of the Aussie vegan scene includes meeting the likes of DJ Dara Hayes, AFLW star Sabrina Frederick, International Anti-Poaching Foundation founder Damien Mander, and celebrated chef and cookbook author Sara Kidd.
The cast of Episode 6: Australia
From left to right: Sara Kidd, pastry chef; Sabrina Frederick, football player; DJ Tigerlily (Dara Hayes), DJ and influencer; Damien Mander, International Anti-Poaching Foundation; Amanda Walker, Lord of the Fries; Dr Leila Masson, paediatrician; Gilly Jaxson, chef; Angie Stephenson, Funky Pies; Tenille Evans, Vegan Weddings.
Behind the camera
The series was conceived and shot over the past two years by Kate Clere and Mick McIntyre, the Australian duo behind the award-winning documentary Kangaroo: A love-hate story.
After touring globally with Kangaroo, they were inspired to tell the stories of the passionate plant-based entrepreneurs they met along the way. Watching COVID-19 create chaos around the world, the directors noted that more and more people started to shift their diets to reflect a deeper concern for their health and the planet.
“Many people recognise the need to switch to a more plant-based diet for their health and the planet,” says co-director Mick McIntryre. With this in mind, they set out to chart the rise of plant-based eating, with the aim of sharing practical tips about how to embrace this life-affirming lifestyle, as well as the reasons why it is such an unstoppable trend.
It’s an uplifting watch that is sure to tantalise viewers’ taste buds while also stoking their wanderlust.
Where to watch
The full series is currently airing on SBS in Australia. The filmmakers are also hosting in-person cinema screenings of the full series at special one-night-only events in Melbourne and Sydney on 1 and 3 May, followed by live Q&A with members of the cast. Viewers in time zones around the world can also join one of four global watch parties with special guests from the series over the weekend of 6-8 May 2022.
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Learn more about the episodes, crew and cast of EATING PLANTS, and get the recipes featured in the series at eatingplants.tv.
Images: Eating Plants
