A Day In The Life of Slutty Vegan's Pinky Cole
This feature is in our March '23 "Next Wave" Issue. Click here to subscribe.
Pinky Cole released her first all-vegan recipe book, Eat Plants, Btch* (Gallery/13A), last fall. PHOTO BY DREA NICOLE
Pinky Cole is the mastermind behind Slutty Vegan, the plant-based burger chain that originated in Atlanta but has since expanded to a Brooklyn location with plans set to take over Harlem. Ever wanting to grow as an entrepreneur, Cole released her debut all-vegan recipe book Eat Plants, Btch* (Gallery/13A) last fall with pages filled with comfort food. “It’s for the everyday cook,” Cole says. “The foodie who really likes food and doesn’t want their cooking experience to be put in the box!”
The Jamaican American restaurateur became vegan in 2014 and opened her first Slutty Vegan food truck specializing in 2018. While many fans of the establishment are Black, Cole stresses that vegan food isn’t a Black-or-white discussion. “As I evolve in my career, I recognize that veganism has no color. I’m not the spokesperson for Black veganism,” she explains. “I am however the spokesperson for alternative options, and fortunately, more people in my community are exposed to veganism because of me. I want everyone to love veganism regardless of socioeconomic background.”
“I WANT EVERYONE TO LOVE VEGANISM REGARDLESS OF SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND.” –PINKY COLE
4:30AM: I wake up and check my bank account, Instagram accounts and emails to see how my business is progressing and what needs to be done for the day.
10AM: I wake up the kids, spend time with them and make sure they are good. Then, I start my daily self-care routine of showering (Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap is my favorite skincare product to date), getting dressed, taking calls, checking on my multiple businesses and having two to three interviews a day.
View this post on Instagram
4-5PM: I am home between 4 and 5PM. However, I may still have a few business calls to take. Once home, I unwind by spending time with my kids and family. My favorite comfort meal is spaghetti and vegan meatballs. I don’t watch television; however, I will watch the Earn Your Leisure podcast on YouTube often. Then I go to sleep and do it all over again.
