press kit july, 2011

above The marque announcing Chef Ayinde at NYC’s LTO (Limited Time Only) 171 East Broadway, New York, NY.

left Menu, opening night supper.

below Selling out all three nights Wildflower was both a culinary and social phenomenon for both foodies and the vegan community alike.

Like the beauty of blossoming annuals in the field, Wildflower is a phenomenon that is here today and gone tomorrow. The latest in a wide array of food trends, Pop-Up Restaurants are proving to be breakout venues for culinary artisans and emerging chefs. Wildflower is a one-of-a-kind crowd-funded pop-up restaurant that brings the finest plant-based cuisine to discerning foodies and tastemakers. Wildflower New York popped-up in Downtown Manhattan’s exclusive LTO (Limited Time Only) Restaurant. For three days, patrons were taken on a 28-course journey across a diverse landscape of vegan cuisine ranging from Soul Food to Raw Fusion to Chef Ayinde’s own “Street Food” Tasting Menu. The Opening Night reception featured celebrity guests, style icons, and giveaways from Vaute Couture, The Ethical Man, and Evolve Jewelry. For the weekend, Chef Ayinde drew from his wildly successful monthly event, The Brooklyn Petit Dejeuner, and crafted an eclectic interpretation of the Waffle Brunch. Crowd-funded through kickstarter.com, Wildflower is a direct response to the demand for fun, delicious gourmet Vegan dining in an upscale atmosphere. Following the success of Wildflower’s NYC opening Chef Ayinde Howell will be taking his seeds on the road planting Wildflower pop-ups in new cities.

For press inquiries please contact Andy Stepanian at [email protected] or 631.291.3010

above left Grilled quinoa & polenta cake with radish slaw and cashew dill aioli

above Poached pear Manhattan Rhubarb Mimosa

left Mac & Yease

below Biscuit topped cherry cobbler with organic cashew ice cream

“Vegan food that is remarkably tasty and robust” —elane louie, The New York Times http://nytimes.com/2011/06/08/dining/dining-calendar-from-june-9.html

“The pop-up trend (with its largely set meals) is one realm that’s generally not too friendly to the meatless. That’ll change next weekend” —grub street, New York Magazine http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2011/06/lto_to_host_nycs_first_vegan_p.html

“A very vegan pop-up ...will serve everything from a ‘contemporary American supper’ to a Saturday Cajun brunch to a raw fusion dinner to a street food tasting menu.” —rebbecca marx, The Village Voice http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/2011/06/lto_vegan_pop-u.php

For press inquiries please contact Andy Stepanian at [email protected] or 631.291.3010

wildflower

collected press& reviews 2011 june

Veg News Magazine, feature & advance review http://www.vegnews.com/web/articles/page.do?pageId=3200&catId=8

Gothamist, feature http://gothamist.com/2011/06/06/pop-up_trend_now_accommodating_vega.php

The Lo-Down NYC, feature http://www.thelodownny.com/leslog/2011/06/russ-daughters-rhong-tiam-smac.html

Food Republic Magazine, feature http://www.foodrepublic.com/2011/06/08/wildflower-my-vegan-pop-restaurant

Eater NY, feature

http://ny.eater.com/archives/2011/06/12_cant_miss_popup_dinners_to_check_out_this_month.php

The Discerning Brute, feature & advance review

http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/05/05/la-jolla-seals-wildflower/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/06/03/wildflower-pops-up-in-new-york/

New York Examiner, feature

http://examiner.com/vegan-in-new-york/vegan-pop-up-restaurant-nyc-this-weekend-only

Daily Globe, feature

http://vegetarian.thedailyglobe.com/2011/06/06/nyc-vegan-pop-up-opens/

POMP Magazine, feature http://pomponline.com/?p=1612

Our Hen House, feature

http://www.ourhenhouse.org/2011/06/crowd-funded-vegan-pop-up-restaurant-inspires/

NYC, PointsLocal, feature

http://nyc.pointslocal.com/news/2011/06/03/nyc/287424/at-lto-ayinde-howell-will-stage-a-very-vegan-pop-up

For press inquiries please contact Andy Stepanian at [email protected] or 631.291.3010

Friends Eat, interview with chef ayinde

http://blog.friendseat.com/interview-chef-ayinde-howell-wildflower

SuperVegan, mention

http://supervegan.com/blog/entry.php?id=1740

HFM Group, listing

http://thehfmgroup.blogspot.com/2011/05/introducing-wildflower-plant-based-pop.html

Sexy Tofu, feature

http://sexytofu.com/2011/04/30/new-yorks-first-pop-up-vegan-restaurant/

Capture + Rapture, feature

http://capture-rapture.com/2011/05/17/chef-ayinde-opens-wildflower-restaurant/

Remembering God, feature

http://www.remembergod.org/en/vegetarian-news.aspx?id=1394964386

Yum Veggie Burgers, listing

http://www.yumveggieburger.com/2011/06/wildflower-pop-up.html

The Whelming, review & photo feature http://www.thewhelming.com/2011/05/wildflower/ http://www.thewhelming.com/2011/06/wildflower-2/

Vegan Apatite, feature

http://www.veganappetite.com/2011/06/food-network-friday-chicken-and.html

Veganism & Stuff, feature top Amuse: Spinach, Avocado & Watermelon with balsamic Grand Mariner glaze

http://veganismandstuff.tumblr.com/post/6180621050/crowd-funded-pop-up-wildflowerserves-28-courses-of

Secret Cooking Recipes, listing

http://secretcookingrecipes.net/at-lto-ayinde-howell-will-stage-a-very-vegan-pop-up/

bottom Brunch: The closest I’ll come to “Chicken & Waffles” Waffle.

Chef ’s Connection, listing

http://thechefsconnection.com/2011/06/04/wildflower-a-vegan-pop-up-at-lto/

Kris Karragan Blog, mention

http://kriscarrigan.com/vegan/latest-news-183/

For press inquiries please contact Andy Stepanian at [email protected] or 631.291.3010

Eco-Sex, feature

http://ecosex.net/hungry-take-your-veggie-lover-for-the-meal-of-a-lifetime-at-wildflower/

Inhabitat, feature

http://inhabitat.com/nyc/new-york-citys-first-vegan-pop-up-restaurant-opening-this-friday-in-the-les/

Cri De Coeur, feature

http://cri-de-coeur.com/events/wildflower-vegan-pop-up-restaurant-opening-party/

Raw Clarity, feature

http://blogg.aftonbladet.se/rawclarity/2011/06/lto-limited-time-only-presents-a-vegan-menu

On Our Sleeve, feature http://onoursleeve.com/?p=2521

Organized Wisdom, feature

http://organizedwisdom.com/nyc-vegan-popup-opens/5021485/nxi/med

Big City Vegan, feature

http://bigcityvegan.com/blog/2011/06/10/new-vegan-restaurant-in-nyc-wildflower-blooms-for-three-days-only/

Girlie Girl Army, feature & editorial by chef ayinde

http://girliegirlarmy.com/blog/20110609/a-wildflower-grows-on-the-lower-east-side/ http://girliegirlarmy.com/blog/20110606/400-years-later-and-still-slaves-to-soul-food/

I8 NYC, feature

http://i8nyc.com/2011/06/10/event-–-lto-nyc-presents-ayinde-howell-wildflower-popup-dinner-jun10-12/

Gluten Free Faces, feature

http://www.glutenfreefaces.com/forum/topics/gluten-free-wildflower-vegan

Meet the Shannons Blog, feature & review

http://meettheshannons.net/2011/06/summer-in-city.html http://meettheshannons.net/2011/06/restaurant-review-wildflower.html

The Ethical Bella, feature

http://ethicalbella.com/post/6459817035/wildflower

Andrew Hur Photography, review & photo feature http://www.andrewhur.com/portfolio/events/wildflower/

For press inquiries please contact Andy Stepanian at [email protected] or 631.291.3010

About Chef Ayinde Howell Ayinde Howell is a 4th generation entrepreneur, Executive Vegan Chef and Founder of the food and lifestyle blog, ieatgrass.com. He specializes in a variety of Vegan fare including Soul Food, Raw, and New American cuisines. His recipes have been featured in the New York Times, Time Out and BET’s top-rated show, ‘106 & Park’. Ayinde started creating signature dishes in Seattle, as co-owner of Hillside Quickies Vegan Sandwich Shop, an offshoot of his family’s business. Hillside Quickies became a popular restaurant known for blasting hip-hop music during crowded lunch rushes and being a favorite for artists like The Roots, Saul Williams, Common and Erykah Badu. Now based in New York City, Ayinde has served as Executive Chef at Jivamukti Yoga School and as a Personal Health Consultant and Personal Chef for celebrities like Russell Simmons and clients from various walks of life and culinary palates. To arrange an interview with Chef Ayinde Howell, to arrange a tasting, or to obtain high-resolution images of his culinary creations please contact Andy Stepanian at 631.291.3010 or email [email protected]

Photo credit: Kate Echle http://Katherinekellyphoto.com

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For press inquiries please contact Andy Stepanian at [email protected] or 631.291.3010