'I remain committed to working hard and upholding good principles and values,' says Dave (centre). Photos: Instagram/ChefDave_VeganJourney
Malaysian chef Kalidevan Murugaya, popularly known as Chef Dave, has been honoured with the title Asia's Best Vegan Chef with Creative Influence at the Asia Awards (AA) 2023 in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India, last Sunday (Dec 3).
Dave expressed his gratitude on Facebook: "I am truly honoured to receive this award in Tamil Nadu, the place of my ancestors. I dedicate this achievement to their courage and hard work, which paved the way for my success today.
"When people describe me as successful, I am humbled. I remain committed to working hard and upholding good principles and values. I promise to continue striving for excellence and making everyone proud!"
The event, associated with online research council World Research Congress, recognised over 50 entrepreneurs across various fields.
Dave has posted over 600 cooking videos on YouTube, featuring vegan versions of local heritage food recipes.Dave, from Jementah in Johor, became a vegan overnight in 2019. It all started after he watched two videos about the cruelty in the egg and dairy industries, which left him feeling very emotionally disturbed.
"Just a few weeks before 2020, I made a decision to go vegan and stand in solidarity with animals, to fight for injustice happening towards animals and be a voice for the voiceless,” he shared on his YouTube channel.
He is among many people, including celebrities like singer Billie Eilish, actress Rooney Mara and race car driver Lewis Hamilton, who are choosing a vegan lifestyle to align with their values. Many individuals express concerns about animal welfare and the environmental impact of animal agriculture. Additionally, awareness of the health benefits associated with plant-based diets, such as lower risks of heart disease and certain cancers, has contributed to the popularity of veganism.
"I'm currently working on veganising all traditional Malaysian and Asian food to showcase to the world that being a vegan is much easier than you think. I hope my journey can inspire others with content surrounding vegan life, food and travel," said the former hotel chef on his YouTube channel.
Dave wants to showcase that being a vegan is much easier than one thinks.
Dave holds a degree in tourism, leisure and hospitality management from Liverpool John Moores University in Liverpool, Britain and a Masters of Business Administration from University of Wales Trinity Saint David.In 2021, he completed his diploma in vegan cooking.
Three years ago, he set up D'Vegan Academy to empower home-based cooks to master basic cooking techniques and plant-based cooking. In the same year, he set up PB Health, a social enterprise dedicated to helping Malaysians improve their health through a whole food, plant-based diet.
He has posted over 600 cooking videos on YouTube, featuring vegan versions of local heritage food recipes, amassing close to eight million views.
Positive feedback from netizens have flooded Dave's social media accounts since he won the award.
@jeanbeanstudio on Instagram commented, "Congratulations Chef Dave! Your award is well deserved, and you are truly inspiring. Thank you for representing Malaysia. We are proud of you."
@javanese_vegan added, "Congratulations Chef Dave! Your achievement is a source of happiness, and I am genuinely proud of you. May success continue to accompany you in all your endeavours."
