Chef Sue Gajathar shares tips for Veganuary 2026
South African chef Sue Gajathar is changing the world one vegan meal at a time.
If you're participating in Veganuary this month, Chef Sue Gajathar has a few tips to make the plant-based challenge more exciting and delicious.
Gajathar is the owner of South African restaurant, The Vegan Chef. The restaurant is known for its popular vegan comfort food, including plant-based southern fried chicken, Zingy wings, sticky ribs and battered fish, aka vish.
This January, The Vegan Chef also partnered with Miami-based chef, Sunni Speaks, to bring her famous vegan oxtail dish to Mzansi.
What is Veganuary?
Veganuary started in the UK in 2014. A British nonprofit organisation urged people to try plant-based meals in January to promote "compassionate food choices with the aim of ending animal farming, protecting the planet, and improving human health". The month-long challenge has since been adopted in several countries.
Many people turn their nose up at the thought of eating vegan food, but Gajathar says it is a "complete misconception" that meat-free dishes are bland and boring.
She says the bold flavours of their Thai-inspired vegan fish cakes and vegan butter chicken will impress even the staunchest meat-eater.
Many people associate vegan food with high prices, but Gajathar says a plant-based diet is the cheapest diet you can follow, especially if you eat the rainbow.
"It is such an economical diet. It is beans, lentils, dahl, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. That isn't expensive at all. When people say it's expensive, we're looking at the processed items in the supermarkets that could be slightly more in price," she said.
It certainly is the perfect diet for 'Januworry'. "I mean, look at the price of beef, eggs and chicken. Your replacements are not expensive. Chickpea flour, which can be used as an egg alternative, is very budget-friendly."
Veganuary top tips
If you're a hardcore meat-eater struggling to stay on track this January, Gajathar shares three tips to help you survive the rest of Veganuary.
- Be easy on yourself: Take it one day at a time. Don't be too hard on yourself if you slip up; start the diet again the next day.
- Swap out ingredients: You can still make your favourite comfort foods during Veganuary by swapping out some ingredients. If you love the taste and texture of spaghetti bolognese, "veganize" the dish by replacing the beef mince with lentils or a plant-based mince. If you enjoy a burger and chips, swap out the beef patty for a vegan patty.
- Just have fun: Don't make Veganuary feel like a chore or stress too much about it. If you don't like the taste of store-bought vegan products like burger patties, learn how to make your own with lentils, beans and mushrooms. You can flavour them to your taste preferences. Exploring new ingredients is also a fun way to enjoy Veganuary.
If you want to make Veganuary more permanent after January, Gajathar suggests speaking with a dietitian or nutritionist when making long-term changes.
Many people on a vegetarian or vegan diet need to take B12 supplements to support red blood cell formation. Gajathar says a balanced diet is also essential.
"A lot of people go on a plant-based diet, but why they don't succeed is because they are not eating the rainbow. They are eating one food group, or they are eliminating everything and only eating apples for every meal."
Visit The Vegan Chef restaurant's Sandton location at Benmore Centre for plant-based meals that will make your mouth water.
Midrand residents can also call and collect from their digital vegan kitchen, which is also available on Uber Eats and Mr Delivery.
Visit their website for more details.
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Image credit: Poelano Malema