Derek & Chad Sarno
Derek and Chad Sarno are American chefs and entrepreneurs, and the brothers behind Tesco’s plant-based range, Wicked Kitchen. Derek is also Executive Chef and Director of Plant Based Innovation at Tesco. Together they have written The Wicked Healthy Cookbook and The Whole Foods Cookbook.
Prior to launching Wicked Foods, Derek was the Senior Global Executive Chef for Whole Foods Market, “where he oversaw global research and development for the company’s prepared foods department, worked with suppliers and leadership to develop and promote plant-based foods across the organization, and served as Culinary Director for the WFM Academy for Conscious Leadership.”1Wicked Healthy Food. 2021. About. Available: https://wickedhealthyfood.com/about/ [Accessed 22 September 2021].
Chad was Vice President of Plant-Based Education at Rouxbe Online Culinary School and launched the first accredited plant-based culinary courses online. He has also opened “boutique plant-based restaurants” across Europe, and worked at Whole Foods Market as the Global RnD Chef and culinary media spokesperson for the Whole Foods healthy eating program.1Wicked Healthy Food. 2021. About. Available: https://wickedhealthyfood.com/about/ [Accessed 22 September 2021].
On top of their Wicked Healthy range, the brothers have also launched Good Catch, a range of plant-based fish alternatives. The range includes fishless tuna, crabcakes, fishcakes and fish burgers.2Vegconomist. 2020. Good Catch: “I Don’t Think We’ll Ever Stop. We are Committed to Creating Options to Better Serve Our Planet”. Available: https://vegconomist.com/interviews/good-catch-i-dont-think-well-ever-stop-we-are-committed-to-creating-options-to-better-serve-our-planet/ [Accessed 22 September 2021].
Derek has been vegan for over five years as he believes “veganism is compassion in action.” His brother, Chad, has been vegan for over 20 years. He initially went dairy-free to improve his asthma and then cut out all other animal products “for the animals”.5Plantbasedmag.com. 2021. Ten minutes with… Chad and Derek Sarno. Available: https://plantbasedmag.com/ten-minutes-with-chad-and-derek-sarno/ [Accessed 22 September 2021].
Derek is passionate about helping wild animals and even provides a loving home for a rescued squirrel named Mildred, and regularly feeds Buddy the fox.6Vegan Food & Living. 2018. Meet the chef behind Tesco’s Wicked Kitchen vegan range, Derek Sarno. Available: https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/vegan-lifestyle/interviews/introducing-derek-sarno-director-of-plant-based-innovation-at-tesco/ [Accessed 22 September 2021].
“Our mission is to raise consciousness, reduce harm, and preserve environmental resources, all while delivering a great culinary experience. Our team is dedicated to creating great-tasting plant-based foods for everyone, from vegan to omnivore and everything in between. We are united by a love of good food, plant-based eating, and animal welfare.”2Vegconomist. 2020. Good Catch: “I Don’t Think We’ll Ever Stop. We are Committed to Creating Options to Better Serve Our Planet”. Available: https://vegconomist.com/interviews/good-catch-i-dont-think-well-ever-stop-we-are-committed-to-creating-options-to-better-serve-our-planet/ [Accessed 22 eptember 2021].
