Leigh-Anne Franklin



Master’s Degree in Holistic Nutrition

Hi there, I’m Leigh-Anne Franklin, founder and head-chef and bottle-washer and everything in between at Avani Artisanal. This is where I mix my passion for interesting flavours with my knowledge of nutrition to create the most mind-blowingly-delicious health food you’ve ever tasted!

First, I know what I’m doing: I have a Master’s Degree in Holistic Nutrition, so I understand the science of food. I’ve spent years working as a health consultant for a major organic grocery store and have run seminars, cooking demos, and elimination diet programs at various wellness centres. In other words, I’ve learned a lot about what people love and what they struggle with. I never get tired of showing people that there’s always amazing food available to them, regardless of their food intolerances or choices.

Secondly, I love what I’m doing! I explore different cultures through their cuisine. I take traditional flavour profiles, spin them on their head, and give them my own signature tweak. I  love to play with herbs and spices, and I can tell you that a tiny bit of heat never hurt anyone! Don’t be afraid that my food is one note or gratuitously spicy. I cook for a lot of different people, some with little or no tolerance for spice. The key is balance. Food is like music: there are base notes, top notes, and the melody that people remember.

Creating delicious food for specific dietary considerations is the challenge that drives me. Vegan, gluten free, or just plain gluttonous—I’m your gal! I specialize in vegan and gluten free food, but that doesn’t mean I can’t whip you up a bangin’ bowl of full-fat dairy ice cream.

I started Avani Artisanal Adventures so I can share my culinary adventures with you. Imagining the look of surprise and joy on your face when you taste my food is what fuels my passion and creativity. Meeting you all at farmer’s markets lifts me up like whipped cream on pie! Just one simple “Oh. My. Goodness, this is so good!” keeps me happy in the kitchen all week. (If you want to know which farmer’s markets I’ll be at, or where to find me, just shoot me a message—I’d love to see you there!)

Of course, I’m not always in the kitchen. Sometimes I’m in my garden, where I grow fruits, veggies, and even flowers that I incorporate into my recipes. Don’t you just love the wow factor of flowers on food?

I’m an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction and, you guessed it, cookbooks! I live with my husband on a beautiful quiet piece of land, and have three senior kittens who we sing to on a regular basis. 

If you want to know more about me or my food, you’ll have to follow me on Instagram at…