Poutine Party! Kelowna’s Naked Cafe Wins Top PETA Award for Best Vegan Spin on a Classic Dish
For Immediate Release:
January 30, 2025
Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382
It’s poutine a smile on people’s faces! Ahead of La Poutine Week (February 1-7), PETA is recognizing five Canadian eateries for dishing up the country’s best vegan poutines—and Kelowna’s own Naked Cafe has made the list. The restaurant’s Market Poutine is made with seasoned fries covered in dairy-free mozzarella and meat-free gravy, and topped with tomato, purple cabbage, cucumber, creamy tahini, green onion, and black sesame. Naked Cafe also offers a vegan-friendly, “classic” poutine with mozzarella and gravy.
“It’s all gravy at Naked Cafe, which crafted a sumptuous cow-friendly poutine that curd’n’t be beat,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “Every one of these delicious vegan versions of a classic Canadian comfort food are earning a PETA nod, satisfying diners, and leaving animals in peace—it’s a win-win-win.”
Cows can recognize the faces of their friends in photographs and mourn when a loved one dies or when they’re separated from each other, yet in the dairy industry, female cows are forcibly impregnated and have their beloved calves taken away from them. Their lives end at the slaughterhouse, just like the cows who are violently killed for meat.
Every person who goes vegan saves the lives of nearly 200 animals each year and reduces their own risk of developing heart disease and cancer. PETA’s free vegan starter kit can help those looking to make the switch.
Naked Cafe will receive a framed certificate from PETA along with bragging rights. Other winners include MeeT in Victoria, BC, Leopold’s Tavern in Winnipeg, MB, NJ’s Kitchen in St. John’s, NL and Odd Burger in Regina, SK.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
