Root to Petal

Overview

There's a lot to be said of a plant-based diet; a roll call of health benefits, sustainable significance and the opportunity to expose and try new flavours. For three weeks this spring, forward-thinking Ponsonby bistro Orphans Kitchen will begin an exploration into the world of plants.

Returning from Wednesday, 25 September to Saturday, 10 October, Root to Petal is an initiative that celebrates vegetarian/vegan cooking, organic farming and aims to engage the general public around the joys and environmental impacts of a plant-based diet.

Orphans Kitchen first introduced the Root-to-Petal concept in 2016, dropping meat from its menu for an entire month with the objective of making everything "delicious as fuck". Last year it expanded to Christchurch, Queenstown, Waipara, Wellington and Hawkes Bay, with plant-based restaurant Gatherings taking over the Orphans for one week.

Orphans Kitchen's 100 percent vegan and vegetarian dishes will be showcased as a $35 two-course set dinner menu — the chefs preparing and plating vegetables with the same level of dignity that is so often bestowed on a prime cut of meat.

Orphans Kitchen regular menu will run as usual. Bookings are essential.