Sam Turnbull

Sam Turnbull, a prominent vegan recipe creator, author, and blogger, initially grew up in a household centered around conventional meat-eating practices. Her early life involved raising chickens and consuming meat, eggs, and dairy regularly. Despite this background, she held a strong affection for animals, owning various pets throughout her childhood. Turnbull’s perspective on diet began to shift in December 2012 after she watched a documentary about veganism. This experience led her to consume extensive information from documentaries and books on health, environmental impact, and animal welfare related to food production. By the end of this research period, she recognized the logical benefits of adopting a vegan lifestyle, although she initially harbored reluctance about the change.

Following her decision, Turnbull embarked on a journey to embrace veganism fully. Coming from a family with a background in culinary arts, she leveraged her cooking skills to develop plant-based alternatives to her favorite dishes. She discovered that with creativity, common spices, and a willingness to experiment, vegan meals could be both delicious and straightforward to prepare. This realization was a turning point, as she found her vegan recipes to be as satisfying, if not more so, than their animal-product counterparts. Her newfound approach to cooking led to personal health improvements, including increased energy and a sense of well-being.

Turnbull began sharing her recipes and experiences on her blog, “It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken,” which quickly gained a following among vegans, vegetarians, and those curious about plant-based eating. Her work demonstrated that vegan cooking could be accessible, flavorful, and enjoyable for a wide audience. This success led to her becoming a full-time blogger and authoring multiple best-selling cookbooks. In 2017, her first cookbook was published by Appetite by Random House, solidifying her role as an influential figure in the vegan culinary community.