Go Vegan with Amisony Treats Ja
Published:Thursday | March 4, 2021 | 12:11 AMKrysta Anderson /Gleaner Writer
Comforting chilli; chocolate chip cookies, fresh from the oven; and warm fudge brownie. What do all three have in common? For Amisony Treats Ja, they’re all vegan.
“The chocolate chip cookies and fudge brownies are soft, decadent, and gooey. You would never know they were vegan,” said owner Amanda Chin as she shared her dedication for her new, culinary venture. “I always put my heart and soul into everything that I make and package. I think it’s something people can appreciate, and it makes them feel special as well.”
Chin says her love for food began out of sheer necessity. Growing up, her mother was severely ill,, and she would often be tasked with cooking. At first, the practice felt like a chore, but over time, she enjoyed experimenting with flavours and creating balance to make dishes that not only tasted good but were good for you, too.
“I wanted to be part of the group of vegans changing the perspective that this type of food is solely for Caucasians and [is] bland in flavour. I wanted to expose people to the fact that you can’ veganise’ almost anything and have it taste exactly the way you know and love,” she said. But Chin isn’t the typical health vegan. While she acknowledges the host of health benefits, she is an ethical vegan - one who makes this dietary choice in advocacy for animals. She was always a lover of animals and stood up against animal cruelty. And after watching a documentary on YouTube last year, she made the transition.
“I realised my beliefs didn’t line up with my diet, so I made the switch. My immediate change to veganism was difficult at first, but once I got the hang of things, I saw changes in my mood, hormones, and my overall outlook on life,” she shared. It was one bold move after another following the lifestyle change. After starting medical school, it was there that Chin decided to juggle her studies with entrepreneurship, creating Amisony Treats Ja.
The name honours both her journey and her supportive family: ‘Am’ for Amanda; ‘-ison’ for her mother, Allison; and ‘-ny’ for her father, Anthony. And she loved the idea of providing treats for people. Who wouldn’t want that? Since going into business three months ago, the reception has been amazing.
“A big thing that grabs people is my packaging. I always pack my treats as if they were gifts. It adds to the experience of feeling special, and I always love to see when my customers have a smile when they collect. I also think my treats are affordable for homemade goods. They are done to order, so the customer will always know that this treat was made [especially] for them and not mass-produced,” Chin said. She hopes to bring happiness to people during the pandemic and tries to make these troubling times a bit more bearable. Additionally, the young businesswoman aspires to enlighten others with the richness of vegan food while continuing on this path of self-discovery.
Follow Amisony Treats Ja on Instagram, @amisonytreatsja or WhatsApp: 876-773-6387. Ask about the menu, customising a treat, or catering services. Delivery is also available.