Chef Aaron Posey

Happy Veganuary!

I've been asked a lot over the years about whether or not I'd consider writing a cookbook. While I think it could be a fun experience, I've never been motivated by money or attention, so it just hasn't appealed to me.

However, since day one, I've wanted to make the recipes we've created here at The Joint available for free, for the sake of accessibility. I've been talked out of doing that by pretty much everyone I've ever had the conversation with. The argument always boils down to how much money I'd be missing out on. While they're technically correct, I just don't care. That's not why I started doing this.

My theme for the upcoming year is "Trust". So, I've decided to start this year off with trusting myself, my values, and how I've chosen to run my business for going on five years.

I've given out our recipes countless times over the years, but now I've uploaded most of our recipes we're currently using onto our website. And, I've scaled them down for home use, because I doubt y'all are trying to make 300 Tom Kha Dumplings 😆

I'll continue to add more recipes as time allows, and if you have any requests, please do not hesitate to reach out.

I hope you enjoy, and thank you for trusting us to continue to serve quality, plant-forward vegan food. We love you and we appreciate you 🖤🌻🖤

https://www.thejointveganstreetfood.com/recipes-1

A few years ago, I started to become aware of the positive impact women have had on my life and my career. It's something I've given a lot of thought to over that time, but haven't really talked about, for fear of being perceived as pandering. But, if I didn't do something every time I feared being judged, I'd be living someone else's life.

The only reason that I get to do what I most love to do in this life is because of women. Teachers, family, friends, colleagues, partners, bosses, employees, etc. In a traditionally male dominated industry where women do not experience the same opportunities, encouragement, and recognition as men, I have been gifted all of that and so much more almost exclusively from women. I think about this almost every day. On the easy days, it's easy. To find gratitude and move through the world, sharing it with others. And on the hard days, that's when it means the most, and when I'm most grateful. Because I know that living in alignment with my values of compassion and ethics, the ability to combine my creative outlet with my activism and my career is the greatest gift I've ever received. And, without the women in my life, none of that would have been possible.

To the women I've worked with and for, and the women I'm lucky enough to get to work with now, collaborate with, call my friends, and call on for support, thank you. You have set a wonderful example of how to selflessly show up for others and move through the world with kindness, grace, and resilience. 🖤🌻🖤

Vegan Restaurant Week Update

Hey all, I hate doing this, but I will not be organizing COS Vegan Restaurant Week any longer. I have struggled with this decision for so long, but ultimatey feel like this is a necessity. There's a few reasons, which I'll include below, as well as an invitation to organize the event for anyone who is interested.

This is such a fun event, and I'm pretty lucky to have experienced the enthusiasm for it as a diner, chef, and organizer. Thank you for sharing that experience with me, and for all of your support.

🖤🌻🖤

-Relationships

I only ever want to bring value to relationships. If I contribute negatively or devalue another in any way, then something has to change. The only negative feedback I've ever heard about Vegan Restaurant Week, is that it hurts the few all vegan restaurants we have here, and is just a money grab for the participating omni establishments. I don't know if that's true or not, but if people genuinely feel that way, then I don't want any part of it.

Our all vegan restaurants, while sometimes a point of contention, are where we gather. It's where we meet each other for the first time, celebrate small victories, weddings, birthdays, experience a sense of belonging, build roots, and deepen our connections. We have to take care of our facilitators, and I can't be a good steward of my values if I knowingly organize an event that disrupts any of those shared experiences.

-Staff

We've built a deep culture of trust and communication, and I've recognized the level of intention and attention that has required. As we've grown in both the community and our staff, the more attention The Joint needs in order to maintain and continue to deepen that culture.

I owe it to this amazing staff to show up for them the way they do for me every single day.

-Expectations

I've spent my entire life focused on meeting expectations. I've recently realized that they were mostly self imposed. Regardless, I'm tired 😆 But, I'm also really relieved because that means that I can say no to things, I can prioritize myself without fear of judgment or failure, and that it's actually necessary in order for me to be a happy, supportive, consistent, and ultimately successful human.

I didn't ask anyone to take this event on and donate their time, because I didn't want to imply any sort of expectation. So, this is a no-pressure open invitation to you all. If this is an event that adds value to the community, then I trust that the community will take it from here.

Aaron