Gaz Oakley

Gaz Oakley was born and grew up in Cardiff, Wales. He began his culinary career at an early age, securing his first kitchen job at 15 and leaving school at 16 to pursue cooking full-time. For several years, he worked in various hotel and restaurant kitchens across Cardiff, developing his foundational cooking skills. A turning point in his life occurred when he transitioned to a job in a builder’s yard, which provided more free time. During this period, he engaged in fitness and strength training, which led him to explore veganism. Inspired by a radio interview with musician Jme and videos from Gary Yourofsky, Oakley adopted a vegan lifestyle.

In February 2016, Oakley launched his Instagram page, @avantgardevegan, as a platform for vegan activism and cookery. Later that same year, he transitioned from his sales job to focus entirely on his vegan advocacy and culinary pursuits. His YouTube channel, Avant-Garde Vegan, was launched at the end of 2016, further expanding his reach. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly boosted his online presence, with his subscriber numbers reaching one million on YouTube. Oakley has established himself as a prominent figure in the vegan culinary world, with the Daily Telegraph describing him as “a star of the meat-free world” whose “recipes have gained the respect of herbivores and carnivores alike.”

His career progression includes authoring multiple vegan cookbooks, which feature innovative plant-based recipes. He has also collaborated with several companies to develop vegan food products and dishes, demonstrating his ability to innovate within the food industry and appeal to a broad audience. In 2023, he was recognized by VegNews as one of the “37 Creative Chefs Crafting the Future of Vegan Food.” Additionally, his book, ”Vegan 100”, was named one of the “Top 100 Vegan Cookbooks of All Time” by VegNews in 2024, highlighting his lasting impact on plant-based cuisine.