While it may seem surprising that former wild child and TV prankster Matt Pritchard is now clean-living and super health conscious, he was given a surprise of his own when his former Cardiff Met lecturers turned up at his recent book signing.
Eighty-six-year-old Brian Reeve and Mr Mike Silk taught Cardiff-born Dirty Sanchez star Matt when he was a Catering student at the University’s former Colchester Avenue campus and he also filmed some of his current Dirty Vegan TV series at the University’s more state of the art labs and kitchens, now on Llandaff campus.
The introduction of further Vegan options across the University’s catering menus was the suggestion of a current student as part of the University-wide Bright Ideas scheme, where suggested improvements to university life are made by staff and students and considered and implemented wherever possible.
Cardiff Met’s Sustainability Engagement Manager Rachel Roberts organised the event as part of the University’s sustainability engagement programme. The event included an interview and Q&A session with Matt, hosted by Neil Woollacott, followed by a book signing and sampling of the recipes from Matt’s book Dirty Vegan. Dishes were prepared by the University’s Catering & Hospitality Services team, led by Andrew Phelps.
Matt, who opted for a plant-based lifestyle three and a half years ago, when he first became serious about ultra endurance events, said: “It’s really important to have a choice in a menu. There are so many allergies and veganism is really growing. There needs to be a choice on a menu.
“Places like Cardiff Met are great for offering a vegan option, which isn’t the usual jacket potato with beans, but something a bit posher – it needs to be quick food to grab between learning, revision, studying and writing essays, but also to be wholesome; hearty; rustic food.”
A plant-based diet complements his athletic lifestyle, and he added:
“What’s the difference between a dog, chicken, cow or lamb? Who says it’s OK to eat this but it’s OK to cwtch that? It doesn’t make sense. I love my dog Lemmy to bits and ultra athletes I spoke to were also saying they were fitter and felt healthier with a vegan diet.”
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