Read more about Leyla below the video
“I combine caterings for larger companies with a weekly cooking event in the Hoeilaart and Overijse area. Every week I offer a menu of meals, hummus, granola and a dessert. I don't always tell people in advance that the meals are plant-based. It's much more fun when people discover it for themselves. My day is successful when I hear, “Even the biggest meat eater thought it was kick-ass.”
A typical day starts with grocery shopping. Then I cook, pack everything in glass boxes - because I try to create as little waste as possible - and personally deliver it to people's homes. That way, people enjoy healthy, nutritious meals without much effort.”
“Almost two years ago, my husband and I set off in our van Ivette on a journey through Europe. Down the coasts, as far as Greece. The goal? A year of sunshine. Beyond the sun, we also sought flavor. I drew inspiration from typical dishes, a vegetable, a spice, an encounter ... to write recipes.
I compiled these into my cookbook, “Finding Flavour". Leafing through my own book is so weird! The feeling remains, “Did I make that?” PS - Merci to Pieterjan Lint for his tip to do it in-house.”
Leafing through my own book is so weird! The feeling remains, “Did I make that?”
“Coffee also played a big role during our trip. We left with a large supply of Ray & Jules coffee and when we had to return to Belgium for a while, we even stayed three days longer to wait for a new delivery of coffee. So the cookbook includes a few recipes with coffee, like an overnight oats with coffee and cocoa or a coffee smoothie with almond paste - really super tasty!
I love using coffee in the kitchen anyway, like also in oatmeal or a granola.”
“Every morning I start with yoga to unwind, followed by coffee to recharge. Usually my husband makes the coffee - that's his time of day. Both at home and while traveling. Then I would wake up to the bialetti simmering on the stove.
Originally an engineer by training, I think the Ray & Jules story is super cool: engineers who built a solar-powered machine. That triggers me. I also think it's really OK to pay more and know that everyone gains, than to drink bad coffee. Then prefer no coffee at all. We really have become coffee snobs!!!”
“Super nice to hear Ray & Jules call me a Sunny Person. I often used to be told I had a serious expression, I was 'the sad sister.' Now it is my time to shine!
People are often surprised that I am funny and like to laugh, despite my serious look. I also really hate it when people take themselves too seriously! I don't do that either.”
Especially for Ray & Jules, Leyla shares her success recipe of mocha granola! Think of it as a preview of her cookbook!
This is why Leyla is a sunny person
"By offering plant-based catering, I am respecting the planet. That's what connects Aurore and Ray & Jules: love for the planet, and for tasty things!”
Leyla's favorite coffee: used to be Fruity Franny, now Sunny Joe
More about Leyla?
Follow aurore on Instagram or check out her website www.auroreskitchen.be
You can follow the adventures of Ivette the camionette here.
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