This video ended up getting over 11,000 views on TikTok, but what’s funny is that when I first created this meal, I wasn’t thinking about going viral. I was simply trying to solve a problem. At the time, so many people thought plant-based food meant giving up the comfort foods they grew up loving. They pictured bland salads, boring vegetables, and meals that felt more like punishment than enjoyment. I wanted to challenge that idea. So I created a meal that felt familiar, comforting, and full of flavor: crispy oyster mushrooms, creamy mac & cheese, candied yams, and all the things people thought they had to give up to eat differently. The reaction was always the same: “Wait… this is vegan?!” And honestly, that became my favorite part. Not because I wanted to trick people, but because I wanted to show them that eating more plant-based foods doesn’t have to feel restrictive. Looking back, this meal taught me something bigger. I realized I could only serve so many plates, but I could teach an unlimited number of people how to make these meals for themselves. That’s a huge reason why Taylor’d Cooking is evolving from selling plates to teaching recipes, cooking skills, and building community. So if you’re here, welcome. 🤎 My goal isn’t to make you perfect. It’s to help you build confidence in the kitchen, one meal at a time. 👇 I’d love to know: What is one comfort food you wish you could learn how to make plant-based? And if you’d like me to break down the techniques behind this meal, let me know below. That may become our next lesson.