The Launchbox Podcast with Anjelli

Anjelli Requintina
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Welcome to The Launch Box Podcast. Get to know plant-based kitchens from around the globe as Anjelli unpacks their bite-sized inspiring stories. Guaranteed spots for your next food experience! Host Bio: Anjelli Requintina is the founder of Nordic Café Holdings, which includes the Copenhagenbased Café Oha. With a passion for creating a positive impact in communities and the planet through green and sustainable foods, Anjelli’s podcast is her third space in which plant-based kitchens can come together to share stories, foster awareness and support, and bring inspiration to others.

  1. 01/11/2023

    Be Mine Healthy Friends - Helsinki, Finland

    Join Anjelli in this cozy conversation with Jasmine – founder of Be Mine Healthy Friends restaurant in Helsinki, Finland. Be Mine Healthy Friends is a tiny restaurant that serves healthy, nourishing vegan food inspired by Asian cuisine with Thai hospitality. In this episode Jasmine shares her story about starting a business without any previous experience in this field and the challenges she encounters running a restaurant on her own. Check out Be Mine Healthy Friends here – https://beminehf.fi/ 0:28 Jasmine’s background and the initial idea of Be Mine Healthy Friends 2:44 Why plant-based? 4:01 On opening a restaurant during the Covid-19 pandemic 5:11 On effects of energy crisis on the restaurant 7:15 General feel of the restaurant 9:38 What is a star menu? 11:03 Be Mine Healthy Friends customers and dealing with food regulation laws 16:43 What is the deciding factor on what goes to the menu? 18:11 On customer demographics 19:22 Benefits of being a cold kitchen 22:37 On working alone and navigating being new in business 23:47 Future plans for Be Mine Healthy Friends 24:56 An importance of having a purpose to keep things going 26:29 What was the biggest lesson? 28:28 Dealing with bad comments from customers 32:32 On managing administration, marketing and restaurant alone 33:15 The importance of word of mouth and smiley hospitality 35:22 Where to find Be Mine Healthy Friends and working hours 36:44 Advice for people who want to open their kitchen 37:44 What keeps you going?

    40 min

  2. 12/21/2022

    Nata Cafe - Riga, Latvia

    Join Anjelli in this uplifting conversation with Ivars Rutkovskis – founder of Nata Cafe in Riga, Latvia. Nata Cafe is a small vegan cafe and a food brand located in Riga's city center in the same building as a dance school and it is loved by kids and their parents who come to eat before or after the dance classes. Get to know the Ivars and Nata Cafe’s story from professional bartenders career, lifestyle changes after switching to veganism and quitting alcohol, to creating a vegan cafe and turning it into a food brand that provides meat and fish substitutes which taste surprises vegans, non-vegans and professional chefs alike. Check out Nata Cafe here – https://natacafe.lv/ 0:31 Introduction to Nata Cafe and Ivars background 3:20 On perception about veganism in Riga, Latvia and cafe’s growth 5:55 Who are Nata Cafe’s customers? 7:20 How many vegan restaurants are in Riga? 8:13 Who creates the food menu? 9:42 Ivars move to Ibiza and switch to veganism 11:38 How long did it take to fully switch to veganism? And the importance of educating people about it 13:08 On Ivars passion to share his knowledge with people 14:37 Changes in health after switching to veganism 15:28 On Nata Cafe’s customer reaction to their food 17:03 On Ivars catering business 18:50 Ivars family and friends reaction to his lifestyle changes 20:16 Food in Nata Cafe and the idea to start a food brand and its products 24:45 Chia caviar and creativity with a team 26:06 Soyshlyk as meat alternative and how people react to it 32:41 Current challenges in times of energy crisis and plans for the future 36:30 On plans to expand Nata products to the world and criticism to other food brands in supermarkets 40:21 What keeps you going?

    43 min

  3. 12/07/2022

    RoseHip Vegan Bistro - Vilnius, Lithuania

    Join Anjelli in this uplifting conversation with Ginte Kuraite – founder and owner of RoseHip Vegan Bistro located in the old town of Vilnius, Lithuania. RoseHip is a bright neon pink bistro not afraid of experimenting with food innovations and offering a variety of foods for everyone’s taste – from burgers, sushi to veggie bowls – loved by vegans and non-vegans alike. Get to know the restaurant's story from the initial idea to their expansion plans to other countries and Ginte’s thoughts on the importance of veganism. We are hoping that this episode will inspire you to go after your dreams too! Check out RoseHip Vegan Bistro here - https://www.rosehip.lt/ 0:29 Introduction to RoseHip and Ginte’s background 7:01 What made you decide that RoseHip has to be vegan? 8:18 Vegan scene in Lithuania 9:02 The recipe for success 10:52 What is the main principle of deciding the food on the menu? What are the menu best sellers? 15:07 On RoseHip customers and lunch deals 16:23 On European Energy Crisis, inflation and its effects on business 20:39 What are the future plans for RoseHip? 24:19 Challenges with employees and the importance of good work relationships 31:31 Balancing work and marriage 33:39 What keeps you going? 34:49 When the restaurants are open? 35:21 Tyler the dog – a star of the restaurant 36:13 Social media presence 36:49 Message to the listeners and the importance of veganism 41:01 An advice for those who want to start a plant based kitchen and Ginte’s ideas on how RoseHip could evolve 44:33 If you want to open RoseHip in your country - reach out Ginte!

    46 min

  4. 11/23/2022

    Vieta – Vilnius, Lithuania

    Join Anjelli in this uplifting conversation with the restaurant's “Vieta” founders — Monika and Romanas. “Vieta” is a cozy charming vegan place, located in Vilnius old town and loved by a diversity of people that come there to eat. Get to know the restaurant’s journey from Island to the website and to today's world, the specifics of the menu and just enjoy the conversation by beautiful people coming together and sharing their challenges, dreams and good moods.    Check out Vieta out in: https://vieta-restaurant.business.site/ 0:43 Shortly about “Vieta” 2:30 A story behind buying business from the website: party, Island, common dreams and love 5:30 The process of taking over a restaurant business in the beginning 7:43 About a funny process of jumping into the kitchen business 11:50 On transition & Monika as an amazing hostess 13:47 The covid and its effect on the restaurant’s and Monika’s and Romanas life 17:08  Post-covid situation, the challenge of finding employees & “you are not alone with this experience” 20:15 The benefits of switching to a day’s menu  22:42 The vibe of the place, the menu and the best compliment ever 30:04 Monika’s and Romanas outlook into the future  31:04 On actively supporting Ukraine as a restaurant 35:07 How can people support you at the moment?  36:10 What keeps you going? 37:14 Where can people find you? 37:47 The special meaning of the name "Sv. Vieta"

    39 min

  5. 11/09/2022

    Chaika – Vilnius, Lithuania

    Join Anjelli in this conversation with Adomas Dzedulionis — one of the founders of the family run café “Chaika” in Lithuania. Together with his wife Ona, they’ve created “Chaika” — a small chain of cafés, which specializes in vegan desserts, good specialty coffee and teas, has an interesting interior and nice laid back vibe. Get to know the story of the almost 10 year old café in Vilnius, its creation process and franchise plans, Adomas thoughts on the best marketing tool ever and his approach on the local and international collaborations. Check out “Chaika” out in: https://chaika.lt/lt/ 0:41 What “Chaika” is all about 2:30 How did it start and it’s philosophy 5:49 Inspiration behind vegan desserts 7:50 Adomas perspective on plant-based scene in Vilnius, recommendations and vegan restaurant’s friendship 9:26 About the experience when first launching the café, challenges, strengths and marketing 14:31 About franchise and working with the close ones 17:46 Post-covid situation 18:55 Challenges and price increase in regards to the war 21:02 About the space 22:52 Teaser on “Chaika’s” menu 25:37 What keeps you going? 26:20 A piece of advice for someone that is starting up 26:58 Are you interested in the “Chaika” franchise in your city? Contact Adomas!

    28 min

  6. 10/26/2022

    Vegan Restauran V – Tallinn, Estonia

    Join Anjelli in this cozy conversation with Mikk Mägi  — a pioneer of the vegan scene in Estonia and a founder of the greatly known Vegan Restoran V, located in the old town of Tallinn. In this episode Mikk shares the story of the restaurant, his sources of inspiration for the international style menu and thoughts on the importance of the strong team. During this online recording, Mikk is in the middle of the forest, 85 km from Tallinn, where he owns a house and dreams big dreams. Listen and get to know them before they come true! Check out Vegan Restoran V: https://www.veganrestoran.ee/ 1:07 Introduction to “V” and Mikk 1:25 Before the restaurant and 24/7 3:32 Plant based scene in 2014 and animal activism 4:51 Challenges in the beginning of the “V” 5:22 Restaurant type, starting it without experience, professional aims 8:48 Menu in the beginning and a 9 years old “Star dish” 11:32 “V” restaurant’s vibe and the benefits of being a customer in your own place 13:39 About the international menu and it’s creation 14:38 Strong kitchen team and its relation to the cure for the burn-outs, living in the forest, festival food truck and the future dream 18:23 The main thing about “V” and it’s success 20:33 Thoughts on the “V” future and festival food truck 21:59 What keeps you going?  24:30 Where to find Vegan Restoran V

    27 min

  7. 10/05/2022

    Humble Coffee – Durban, South Africa

    Join Anjelli in this engaging conversation with Amy Gardiner — a founder of Humble Coffee — a roastery, café and co-working space in Durban, South Africa, which won the best country's café award in 2021. Amy shares the journey of the Humble Coffee and gives a glimpse into the future vision for it. Listen and get inspired by her passion for empowering local women and community, admiration for the Durban city and excitement for the tasty, plant-based food. Check out Humble Coffee: https://humblecoffee.co.za/ 0:54 About Amy and Humble Coffee  4:13 Challenges back then 5:44 Strong team as a key and South Africa’s unemployment problem 7:13 Empowering young women to enter a career 8:20 Thoughts on social entrepreneurship & offering Humble as a community space 10:25 About the space 12:50 Creating a sanctuary — plants, tiles and afternoon sun  14:26 Moving to communal space 15:23 Menu inspiration & the importance of variety  24:04 Perspective on the price increase 29:56 “Putting off fire every 5 minutes” - the nature of running a café business 32:06 “What keeps you going?” & the future dreams 35:33 Where to find Humble Coffee

    38 min

  8. 09/07/2022

    Flax – Malmö, Sweden

    Join Anjelli in this engaging conversation with Buddha Browett — a founder of Flax Café, Los Perros Urban Farm and breathtaking chili sauce Pepper Pepper Deli in Malmö, Sweden. Buddha shares his thoughts on starting a business without a business plan and his passion for a better world that carries things throughout the times of difficulties up to the unexpected public awards.   Check out Flax: www.flaxmalmo.com Check out Los Perros Urban Farming: https://www.losperrosurbanfarming.com/ 00:47 Why Sweden? 22:59 Flax — a beautiful mistake of life 04:01 Home made chili sauce dream 06:03 Business without a business plan 07:06 Collaboration with a local coffee roastery 9:16 Menu inspiration and design 10:08 The beauty of growing kids in a farm 11:55 More about the passion for chili sauce 12:52 Direct connection with the garden and customers 15:03 Recurring an online farm 19:51 Advice on how to start an urban farm 23:52 Collaborations with other restaurants 26:52 Biggest challenges so far 31:29 Malmö’s best café award in 2021 32:54 Region Skånes Miljöpris // Environmental Prize in 2020 33:50 It's a labor of love, but it’s a business in the end 36:26 Advice for those on the same journey 37:18 Life's mantra: what's the worst thing that can happen? 38:23 Where can people find you?

    41 min
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About

Welcome to The Launch Box Podcast. Get to know plant-based kitchens from around the globe as Anjelli unpacks their bite-sized inspiring stories. Guaranteed spots for your next food experience! Host Bio: Anjelli Requintina is the founder of Nordic Café Holdings, which includes the Copenhagenbased Café Oha. With a passion for creating a positive impact in communities and the planet through green and sustainable foods, Anjelli’s podcast is her third space in which plant-based kitchens can come together to share stories, foster awareness and support, and bring inspiration to others.

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