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Celebrity chef Matthew Kenney opens plant-based fast casual in Florida

June 26, 2019

The Orlando area has welcomed its first plant-based fast casual brand, Humbl, thanks to celebrity chef Matthew Kenney, who serves as the brand's chief culinary officer. Kenney, a two-time James Beard Award nominee, developed the menu for the restaurant located at Windermere Village at 5845 Winter Garden Vineland Road, in Windermere, Florida, according to a company press release.

"Though I have restaurants around the world, Humbl represents a tremendous opportunity for me to share my love for delicious and nutritious plant-based cuisine with more people by recreating many of my finest dishes for the fast casual customer," Kenney said in the release.

Most of the produce served at Humbl is from The Villages Grown, 40 miles north of Orlando.

Left to Right: Eric Koeser, COO; Paul Mascia, CEO; Matthew Kenney, chief culinary officer.

The farm-to-table supplier grows nutrient-dense products, then harvests and delivers them to the restaurant.

"There's nothing better than using the freshest and most nutrient rich ingredients, which we will receive from The Villages Grown to recreate those classic familiar dishes — the burger, pizza, bowls, ice-cream and more," Kenney said. "As a chef, I'm grateful that my recipes and food can be enjoyed by others and encourage them towards a healthier lifestyle along the way. Humbl embodies that mission."

Humbl CEO Paul Mascia said plans include adding two locations to Central Florida.

"My desire for a healthier lifestyle led me to explore plant-based eating," he said in the release. "In the process I recognized a major opportunity to bring familiar, delicious and convenient plant-based food to our communities. We have a very experienced and talented executive team that has put in countless hours to launch the brand and position it to grow fast."

The company is also focused on serving the community and features a one-for-one program that provides a meal to a hungry child for every meal purchased. Each location should provide 70,000 meals a year, according to the release. Also, the company purchases its employee uniforms and merchandise from an organization that rescues and restores human trafficking survivors, and it recently hosted its first 5K run to encourage people to live a "Life well fed."