Max La Manna is an American plant-based chef and cookbook writer that advocates waste minimisation. ^[1] He has been described as bridging the gap between vegan food and waste-free cooking. ^[2]

Biography

La Manna became interested in cooking as a teenager at his father's restaurants in Connecticut. ^[2] As a young man he pursued a modelling career in New York City and Los Angeles where he also worked late nights at restaurants. ^{[2] [3]} At age 25, La Manna appeared on two episodes of Days of Our Lives. ^[4] By 2017 he became interested in veganism and a zero-waste lifestyle. ^[4]

He is a self-taught chef who promotes an affordable low-waste approach to cooking. ^[5] It is reported that La Manna has cut his own food waste down to "nearly zero". ^[6] La Manna's recipes have been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Vice, Vogue, and on the BBC. ^{[2] [3] [7]}

In 2020, his cookbook More Plants Less Waste was named the "Most Sustainable Cookbook" at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. ^[3] His 2023 cookbook You Can Cook This! has been described as "deliver[ing] simple vegan food with big flavour to keep things quick and easy" and was voted "World's Best Vegan Cookbook" at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. ^[8] La Manna has commented that his favourite ingredient to cook with is broccoli. ^[9] VegNews listed him as one of the "37 Creative Chefs Crafting the Future of Vegan Food" in 2023. ^[10]

In 2023, La Manna no longer identifies as zero-waste and has stated that "zero-waste is impossible". ^[11] He describes himself as low-waste, especially in the kitchen. ^[11]

Personal life

La Manna is plant-based in his personal life. ^[12] He resides with his wife in the United Kingdom. ^[2]

Selected publications

• More Plants Less Waste: Plant-based Recipes + Zero Waste Life Hacks with Purpose (Yellow Kite, 2019) ISBN  978-1529396201
• You Can Cook This!: Easy Vegan Recipes to Save Time, Money and Waste (Ebury Press, 2023) ISBN  978-1529148800

External links