The Indigo Kitchen: A Feast for the Body, Mind, and Soul
- Jasmine Melrose
- Aug 3, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 18, 2022
Jason and The Indigo Kitchen
Jason Tjon Affo, vegan recipe developer, content creator, food photographer, and more recently, an award winning cookbook author is the creative genius behind the visually inspired blog and Instagram we all know (or should know) as: The Indigo Kitchen.
On Instagram, he is hard to miss. With his incredible platting, gorgeous staging, innovative and all natural food colouring, there is no surprise that the Indigo Kitchen’s nickname is the “Rainbow Feed”.
Jason uses a beautiful and relatable narrative, using his captions as opportunities to tell stories, raise awareness about living with HIV, spread positivity, and to educate his readers and followers.
He sets an example of how to successfully combine his work and passion with activism. Jason doesn’t just make recipes, he brings people together and there is always a lesson to be learned from him.
Jason strikes the perfect balance between uplifting others and drawing our attention to the areas we need to improve in. Vegans often get a bad rap as they can come across as aggressive and even cult like. However, eating vegan and "all organic" isn’t always accessible, or financially viable for many.
This caption from one of Jason’s beautifully plated meals shows you just what I mean:
"The table is set! For me food is a vehicle for bringing people together. Regardless of where you stand, you need to eat. If there’s one thing that is universal it’s this basic need. While being a fact, we must not forget that this is not a given."
Jason says; "It’s a fact that we live in a system where not every one gets their share".
"There is no perfect diet. Even Veganism has its flaws. I’m thinking of the people destroying their hands plucking our cashew nuts and the problems surrounding the demands for avocado, just to name a few. I’m a supporter of doing our best, but we still have miles to go."
He goes on to say; "Even as corny as it sounds, I too believe that nothing changes if nothing changes. So this is to not forget the people who don’t get to join the table. The people who are exploited through capitalism.”
It’s hard to find content creators who can see both sides. Who can inspire you to live well and be at peace with yourself, without losing touch with reality and by passing the hardships people face.
Jason however, uses his platform to talk about the issues that need addressing and require a collective push towards change.
About Jason
After the big decision to cut all animal products out of his life in 2014, Jason felt compelled and inspired to create a food and lifestyle blog to document and share in his new adventure.
Both his blog and instagram feed are full of vibrant and exciting vegan recipes that will bring your family together to the table. They feed all of your senses, and they taste as good as they look. I mean....
I myself, am a proud owner of Jason's first book, Vegan Soul Food, therefore, I can vouch for it. Jason’s cookbook, Vegan Soul Food, features a beautiful and delicious journey of sharing and bonding. The book includes Surinamese dishes, vegan comfort food, and all of our favourites from his instagram feed.
Check it out .... You won’t regret it.
Vegan Soul Food won the 2020 award for best Vegan cookbook, the award presented by @nlvegan, the Dutch association for Veganism.
Vegan Soul Food is Jason’s first cookbook. His second book, Vegan Party Food, which we could not be more excited about, in out now! Jason's recipes are so fun and playful, we cannot wait to see how they will do in a party setting!
Check out @theindigokitchen on Instagram to see Jason’s beautiful creations in action and to stay up to date with the latest events, launches and updates.
The Mission Behind the Creativity
Jason says via his blog, "This kitchen is a safe space where we not only create delicious vegan dishes but also discuss more important topics. In this safe space we welcome you regardless of the colour of your skin, your sexual orientation, the shape of your body, the pronouns you identify with and the list goes on. Yes, in this kitchen we see colour, we recognise each other’s (read: our) pain and show up for on another".
Jason invites us to join him on his journey, not only to create delicious dishes and bond at the table together, but to continually show up for one another outside of the kitchen.
Jason goes on to explain how his online presence isn’t just about food. In fact, one could argue that, the core of his mission, isn't (really) about food at all. Jason wants us all to celebrate each other and our differences, share our plates, our table, and join each other in conversation.
Jason raises awareness and prompts discussions about decolonisation, feminism, LGBTQIA+ rights, sustainability, life with HIV, toxic masculinity, and more. Jason is an open book, he shares his personal accounts via his instagram stories, and wants us to know that we are not alone. That we are seen, that we are acknowledged, and celebrated.
Where to find more
If you would like to see more of Jason and the Indigo Kitchen, check out his instagram:
Head on over to the blog for recipes and make sure to get yourself a copy of both of his books, Vegan Soul Food and Vegan Party Food:
You can purchase his first book directly from this link:
To get yourself a copy of Vegan Party Food, click here!
Jasmine Melrose
Director & Founder of DECO the Blog
Jasmine Melrose is a Toronto native living in Amsterdam. Once a professional dancer, her passions include movement, fitness, yoga, healing, and all things vegan. Jasmine is a 500-hour trained yoga teacher, who loves to get you deeper into your practice. She is also a certified barre teacher who loves making raw vegan, guilt-free and good-for-you treats. Check out her recipes and articles on everything from fitness to yoga, to notes on a journey towards healing.
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