Meet Brian Evans of Nique’s Vegan around Boston.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Evans.

Brian, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I spent a lot of time with my grandmother as a child and my greatest thrill was helping her make desserts. Throughout my childhood and adolescence, I would always watch cooking shows. Back then there weren’t nearly as many shows as there are today, but PBS on Saturday mornings would always have many cooking shows and still do to this day. In 2008 I attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. I was in the culinary program, not the pastry program, but was exposed to a lot of amazing desserts which really sparked my interest. After culinary school I worked in many different restaurants as a cook and I also gained some experience making desserts. In 2011 I became a vegan and then began working in vegan/vegetarian restaurants. After a while I was not only cooking but I was also starting to make desserts. I was fascinated with vegan desserts and how you could create a vegan dessert which looked like, tasted like, and had the same texture of traditional desserts. After honing my craft for several years, I decided to venture out on my own and start a vegan dessert company.

Has it been a smooth road?
Everyone has their ups and downs. We’ve all had moments when we didn’t know what to do next or when we didn’t know how we were going to make it. A lot of times in the moment we think we are experiencing problems. It’s not until after the fact that we realize they were really opportunities. Life never gives us more than we can handle, it always gives us exactly what we need. So, have I had struggles along the way? Yes. Has it always been a smooth ride? No. Has everything that has transpired allowed me to be in the position I am today? Absolutely!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Nique’s Vegan – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a one-man operation. I rent out a commercial kitchen where I prepare vegan desserts about 5 days a week. I am currently selling them in a few stores in and around Boston. I make vegan cakes, cheesecakes, and pies. My most popular dessert is named Grandma’s Chocolate Cream Pie, which was inspired by my grandmother. That dessert is the only dessert which I have not stopped making/selling since last April. Some of my other desserts include my Mango Coconut Cake, my Tiramisu Cheesecake, Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake, Apple Crisp Cheesecake, and Carrot Cake, With Spring soon approaching I will be adding some different seasonal desserts and will stop making some of the previous seasons desserts. I have plans on opening a retail location in the next year or two. That location will most likely be a small bakery or possibly a cafe with some light breakfast and lunch options.
My company is still in its infancy so there is so much more that I want to do. I will say I am pleased with the progress I have made in my first year, it is a blessing to still be in business. I am so thankful to all the people who have supported me, especially Good Health Natural Foods in Quincy for giving me the opportunity to sell my desserts at their store and all the customers who go in there and purchase my desserts week after week and month after month. Without that store and without those loyal customers I would not be where I am today. I am forever grateful.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Boston is such a great place. It is very diverse. It has the best schools in the country and the best sports teams in the country. It’s a great mix of street smarts and book smarts. There’s always something new to see, always something happening. You can spend a day in the city and have a great time without spending any money at all.

Contact Info:

• Email: NiquesVegan@gmail.com
• Instagram: @NiquesVeganDesserts
• Facebook: Facebook.com/NiquesVeganDesserts

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