Plant-based "candy chews" made by Lake Saint Louis-based Chef Pure Foods, LLC/Pure Plant Snacks reflect diabetic-friendly natural sugars from date syrup and allergen-free foods with tasty flavors, such as salted caramel apple, peach and pumpkin.
Chef Pure founder Kurt Stiles, an O'Fallon resident, says he experienced a life-altering stroke that left him unable to speak, necessitating a personal and professional transformation. He completed a master's degree in nutrition and dietetics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt innovated by creating "Pure Plant Jerky," a vegetable-based snack designed to mimic the taste and texture of meat jerky using ingredients such as kelp seaweed, sunflower flour, pea protein, zucchini and mushrooms. He then transitioned to his present raw eggplant jerky, which is sliced, marinated and dehydrated.
"We support better health through locally grown foods with high quality, plant ingredients, created through our scientifically-based, culinology method," he explains.
Since creating 100% vegan jerky, soups and fruit, he and his wife, Molly, extended the product line with natural, raw, dehydrated vegetables to save nutritional ingredients, especially for flexitarian plant-based lifestyles.
Shoppers can taste and secure Chef Pure products at regional farmers markets, select health food stores or from Kurt's website.
CHEF PURE FOODS/PURE PLANT SNACKS OFFERS THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS:
Plant Snacks that are gluten/allergy-free, non-chemical, vegetarian pieces Kurt calls Pure Plant Jerky.
Soup/Chili Mixes, low sodium/glycemic; for creamy vegan pot pie, classical potato, white bean veggie and creamy Italian vegan flavors.
Bacon Bits made from eggplants for salads or 10 toppings.
Chips composed of grilled zucchini slices or brussels sprouts.