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Native Foods hires St. Louis native as executive chef

Native Foods, a vegan brand, has hired Chris Bertke as executive chef. Provided

March 23, 2022

Native Foods, a vegan brand, has hired Chris Bertke as executive chef. The St. Louis native opened Utah Station in 2019 with a menu comprised of plant-based interpretations of fast food items, like the Big Mak and Crack Tacos, which mimicked the Jack in the Box original. Unlike most restaurants that make vegan meats using fillers like soy or tofu, Bertke creates meat-like products using his own recipes for house-made meat substitutes, according to a company press release

A year after the Utah Station opening, Bertke turned his focus to vegan BBQ, when he opened the Vegan Deli and Butcher in St. Charles, Missouri. After moving Vegan Deli and Butcher out of that space and into pop-up locations in 2021, he joined Native Foods.

"What we loved about Chris when we first met him was that he was down-to-earth and passionate about everything plant-based and animal welfare, which perfectly aligned with our mission and our culture. Once we tasted his food, we knew he was the one who would elevate our already delicious menu," Director of Marketing Sandra Thum said in the release.

For Bertke, the values of vegetarianism and veganism have been instilled from a young age. From his mother and grandmother, he learned the importance of foundational technical skills in the kitchen as well as how to test the boundaries of recipes. From a moral standpoint, Bertke became a vegetarian nearly 30 years ago and then transitioned into veganism.

"Joining Native Foods as executive chef is so exciting because I have the opportunity to create plant-based meat alternative recipes for our already innovative menu," Bertke said.

The upcoming seasonal menus at Native Foods are rooted in seasonal themes.

"It's unique for us to have a menu that changes as the seasons change because most fast-casual restaurant concepts lack that elevated aspect to their menu," Bertke said. The Spring menu's theme, bold colors, will offer customers the opportunity to enjoy holistic vegan and vegetarian options. Customers can look forward to Native Food's Wasabi Crabcake Sandwich, Chicken Fajita Cheesesteak, and a Thai Beef Bowl. Launching soon."

Native Foods has locations in Chicago; Denver, Boulder, Lone Tree, Colorado and Los Angeles; Orange County; Palm Springs and San Diego, California.