vherbalkitchen is a unique culinary venture founded in the South West of the UK, specialising in vegan Neapolitan-style pizza and authentic Italian cuisine. Founded by Dan Bodman, a passionate chef with over 20 years in the food industry, vherbalkitchen is dedicated to creating high-end, gourmet and authentic dishes that celebrate fresh produce and traditional cooking techniques. Influenced by his mentor Marco Bani, Dan’s deep respect for traditional Italian cooking is evident in his dedication to quality and authenticity. 
 

vherbalkitchen was born out of Dan’s desire for creative freedom. He felt constrained in his previous roles and wanted a space where he could fully explore and develop recipes without time limitations. For Dan, being true to food culture is paramount, and perfecting recipes is a passion that requires time and dedication—“all I want to do is serve great food. Food which tastes as good as it looks… the aesthetic of it all… it’s what I live for, it’s why I’m here”.

With over two decades in the industry, Dan has encountered many talented, honest, and hardworking individuals. One person who significantly influenced him is Marco Bani, a pizza expert and former colleague who now owns a pizzeria in his hometown of Naples. Recognising Dan’s passion for Neapolitan-style pizza, Marco imparted his extensive knowledge, teaching Dan the intricate details and finesse of true Neapolitan pizza.

vherbalkitchen

Dan’s interest in pizza has been long standing, having worked in various mainstream pizza restaurants. In 2019, he purchased a Gozney ‘Roccbox’ pizza oven as a hobby and a way to bring friends together. As his pizzas improved, the positive feedback encouraged him to align this hobby with his professional career, leading to a position as head pizza chef at Bosco Pizzeria within months.

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At vherbalkitchen, he avoids using meat alternatives, focusing instead on showcasing vegetables and fresh produce. His approach is rooted in a belief that vegetables can replicate familiar textures and flavours, offering an authentic culinary experience without highly processed ingredients. Dan informs us that he’s “all about homemade, small batch mentality, no highly processed ingredients, being authentic and charging very fair prices. People say being vegan is expensive, but it really isn’t”.

Among the various dishes at vherbalkitchen, the cashew mozzarella is crucial as it forms the foundation of many offerings. The ‘Truffalo’ Pizza is a standout dish, while the ‘Shepherd King’ pizza, inspired by the al pastor Mexican taco, is one of the most creative. The vegan tiramisu, a popular item at their pop-ups, consistently sells out and is considered the best vegan version by many.

Looking ahead, vherbalkitchen plans to introduce new recipes such as ‘Arancini’ and is working on perfecting vegan cannoli with various fillings. Dan’s vision is to promote a vegan lifestyle by demonstrating that vegetables can be delicious and can replace traditional ingredients for the betterment of the planet—“I want to be part of the change and I will be part of that movement—for pizza, the people and the planet”. 

With their brand new trailer set to be ready in the middle of July, vherbalkitchen will soon have pop-ups happening around Bath, Bristol and Chippenham. To help vherbalkitchen’s growing, you can donate to their Kickstarter and receive exciting rewards like free pizza and tiramisu.

Check out their menu and upcoming events here.

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