Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Siki And Tanya Spasic. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Siki and Tanya, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
We always felt so connected to the animal kingdom, and our calling to help them be seen as equals grew louder as we grew older.
One day after an eye opening conversation, we both decided to become vegan. Shortly after, my brother was inspired to join us, along with my father. From that point forward, it became a shared journey that shaped our story. We could no longer contribute to the suffering of animals while claiming to love them.
Our mission was clear and simple: to create delicious, plant-based food and show others that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor to live a compassionate lifestyle.
We have found a place to help educate and empower our community through animal activism and cooking. To say we are grateful would be an understatement. Since becoming vegan, we’ve connected with an incredible community of compassionate individuals, and we’re excited to see where the next ten years will take us all.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
We are a family-owned vegan restaurant, Animal Liberation Kitchen, located in the heart of Toronto, Ontario. Our space serves as a vibrant hub for animal activists, artists, and young families who share a passion for building a compassionate and connected community. Inspired by our commitment to animal rights and social justice, we proudly support numerous non-profit organizations throughout our city. At Animal Liberation Kitchen, we aim to nourish both body and soul while fostering meaningful connections and positive change.
We opened our restaurant just a few months before the pandemic and have witnessed countless changes in the industry since then. Rather than letting these challenges discourage us, they inspired us to become more creative and adapt to new ways of operating to persevere. Giving up has never been an option for us. We are here to stay—committed to supporting our animal and human friends and continuing to serve our community with passion and purpose.
Fun fact: Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara once visited us to personally thank us for everything we do and to rave about the delicious food they enjoyed. It was an unforgettable moment that reminded us why we do what we do!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The most impactful driving force behind our journey is our deep honest desire to help. We’ve witnessed so much injustice towards animals and fellow humans, and instead of simply feeling sorrow, we’re determined to take action. Our mission is to make a meaningful change and do everything within our power to contribute to a better world.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Darkness and light are both part of our earthly experience, and it’s up to us to choose what we allow in. We see every small step toward changing how people treat animals as a significant victory. It’s essential to stay positive, open-minded, and non-judgmental in our daily lives, even though there are days when we, too, feel overwhelmed—just like everyone else. On those days, we remind ourselves that we are not alone; many others care and are taking action to make things better. A visit to an animal sanctuary or simply hugging our animal companions gives us the boost we need to keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thealk.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animal.liberation.kitchen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028195917106
Image Credits
In additional photos:
Photo 1 credit: Pawelec photo inc. (Tanya holding a Jackfruit Burger)
Photos:2,3,4 and 5 photo credit: James Monet
Photo 6: New School Foods (Salmon Filet)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
