MY DINNER WITH…
1 LEVAN AKIN
”I was traveling by train with a dear friend through southern Europe in the summer of 2013. It was a very hot summer and we passed our time sightseeing and trying out different local dishes often followed by laying in a food coma and watching films on a laptop. While in Nice we watched the documentary Blackfish and were shocked to find out the horrific reality of the Orcas and other sea creatures kept in captivity at Sea World. While in Milan, the YouTube algorithm suggested we watch a film called Earthlings. Not knowing what it was about other than animal welfare, we were curious and clicked the link.
”Watching Earthlings felt like sitting through a snuff film. We had to take breaks several times just to cry and collect ourselves, but it felt important to keep looking, out of respect for all those animals that suffer for our pleasure. When we were done we decided that we would never eat an animal or their liquids ever again. It felt like an easy decision and the only thing we could do.
”But we knew nothing about plant-based food. Still in shock from the film we walked over to a restaurant near where we were staying. It felt rather posh but we were hungry so it had to do. We sheepishly asked the waiter if they had any vegan options and he looked at
