Southern cooking is synonymous with comfort, flavor, and tradition. But what happens when this centuries-old cuisine gets a modern, plant-based twist? Enter Fiction Kitchen, a groundbreaking restaurant in Raleigh that’s redefining southern food for a new era. Bringing vegan dishes to the forefront, Fiction Kitchen is enchanting taste buds, changing perceptions, and proving that plant-based cuisine can be just as hearty and satisfying as its traditional counterparts.
In this blog post, we dive into the heartwarming story of Carolyn Morrison and Siobhan Southern, the dynamic duo behind Fiction Kitchen. From recreating beloved southern textures for vegetarian diets to surprising skeptics with their mouthwatering barbecue, this pair has crafted an inspiring narrative of inclusivity and culinary innovation. Join us as we explore how Fiction Kitchen is not only breaking gastronomic boundaries but also inviting a diverse array of diners to experience the true essence of southern hospitality—one delicious vegan dish at a time.
From Southern Comfort to Vegan Delight: The Evolution of Fiction Kitchen
Growing up in the South, Chef Carolyn Morrison reminisced about the comforting **textures** she missed after turning vegetarian at 22. Over time, she began recreating those beloved food memories with a vegan twist. *Fiction Kitchen* now offers comforting Southern dishes including the infamous **chicken and waffles**. One particularly memorable event was when Carolyn catered her brother’s promotion with their **smoked Eastern style North Carolina pulled pork** — a dish that left guests raving about the best barbecue they’d ever tasted, completely oblivious to its vegan nature.
Despite its entirely vegan menu, Fiction Kitchen aims to attract a diverse audience by focusing on the deliciousness of their food, rather than its plant-based roots. Owners Carolyn and Siobhan foster an inclusive dining experience where the focus is on taste and satisfaction. Their innovative approach ensures that every diner leaves **full, happy**, and perhaps with a surprising newfound appreciation for vegan cuisine.
| Popular Dishes | Flavor Profile |
| Chicken and Waffles | Sweet & Savory |
| Eastern Style Pulled Pork | Smoky |
Reviving Food Memories: How Traditional Textures Inspired New Vegan Creations
Growing up in the South, transitioning to a vegetarian diet at 22 presented a unique challenge; certain textures from beloved traditional dishes were noticeably absent. This gap led to the birth of some deeply comforting and Southern-inspired vegan dishes, most notably the **chicken and waffles**. When my brother celebrated his promotion, he insisted on our **Eastern-style North Carolina pulled pork** for catering. Unbeknownst to the guests, they devoured vegan barbecue, all the while exclaiming it was the best they’d ever tasted.
Our approach at Fiction Kitchen is not to brand ourselves strictly as a vegan restaurant but to welcome everyone to experience our culinary creations. Many diners often only realize after their meal that they’ve just enjoyed their first vegan experience—satisfied and surprised by the full, rich flavors and textures.
| Traditional Dish | Vegan Creation |
|---|---|
| Chicken and Waffles | Vegan Chicken and Waffles |
| Eastern-style Pulled Pork | Vegan Pulled Pork |
Deceptively Delicious: Winning Over Carnivores with Vegan Barbecue
One trick to winning over staunch carnivores is to focus on **textures and flavors** reminiscent of traditional Southern barbecue. At Fiction Kitchen, we have artfully recreated classics like smoked Eastern style North Carolina pulled pork, which is entirely vegan. When our co-owner’s brother celebrated a promotion, our vegan pulled pork was served without any disclosure of its plant-based origins. The unanimous delight and belief that it was the best barbecue they’ve ever tasted speak volumes.
- **Pulled Pork** – Smoky, tender, and flavorful.
- **Chicken and Waffles** - Crispy with a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
We prioritize taste and satisfaction, often surprising guests who often say, “I just had my first vegan meal and I’m full. I’m satiated. I don’t feel like anything is missing in my life.”
| Dish | Key Feature |
|---|---|
| Chicken and Waffles | Crispy and Comforting |
| Pulled Pork | Smoky and Tender |
Partnership on a Plate: The Creative Team Behind Fiction Kitchen
At Fiction Kitchen, **Carolyn Morrison** and **Siobhan Southern** mix love and creativity to craft unique vegan southern dishes that evoke fond food memories. Growing up in the South, Carolyn always had a passion for regional comforts. She started recreating beloved Southern textures and flavors, resulting in mouth-watering dishes like **vegan chicken and waffles** and **smoked Eastern-style North Carolina pulled pork**. The latter became a surprise hit when her brother chose it for a promotion celebration without revealing its plant-based secret, much to the delight of unsuspecting guests.
| Dish | Features |
|---|---|
| Chicken and Waffles | Classic Southern comfort with a vegan twist |
| Smoked Pulled Pork | Eastern-style, authentically flavoured |
Carolyn and Siobhan emphasize inclusivity, preferring not to label Fiction Kitchen solely as a vegan restaurant. Their goal is to have everyone, regardless of dietary preference, enjoy a hearty meal and realize that plant-based food can be equally satisfying.
- Carolyn: The chef-owner with a knack for nostalgia-driven comfort food.
- Siobhan: The co-owner and general manager, creating a seamless dining experience.
Their journey is symbolized in their matching tattoos—Carolyn, with a can of chipotle peppers, is the pepper, while Siobhan, representing the salt, illustrates their unique, yet complementary partnership.
Beyond Labels: Crafting an Inclusive Dining Experience with a Vegan Menu
Growing up in the South, textures and flavors hold a special place in your heart. At Fiction Kitchen, this culinary magic gets a vegan twist, creating comforting dishes that echo Southern traditions. Take the **chicken and waffles** or the **smoked Eastern style North Carolina pulled pork**. These vegan versions, meticulously prepared, have fooled even the most astute southern palate. Carolyn Morrison, the chef-owner, recalls a delightful experience where her brother’s promotion party featured their BBQ. The secret? No one knew it was vegan. The feedback? “The best barbecue they’ve ever tasted.”
- **Chicken and waffles**
- **Eastern style pulled pork**
Fiction Kitchen isn’t your conventional vegan restaurant. Co-owner and general manager Siobhan Southern explains that their goal is to have diners leave not just satisfied, but stunned at how fulfilling a vegan meal can be. Siobhan captures this ethos too, sporting a fun tattoo that complements Carolyn’s, symbolizing their unique partnership: she’s the **salt**, and Carolyn’s the **pepper**. Together, they elevate the dining experience, ensuring inclusivity and enjoyment for all, beyond the labels.
| Dish | Description |
|---|---|
| Chicken and Waffles | Classic Southern dish, vegan style. |
| Eastern Style Pulled Pork | Smoky, savory BBQ that surprises. |
Closing Remarks
And there you have it – Fiction Kitchen’s journey into blending beloved Southern comfort food traditions with the vibrant world of vegan cuisine. Carolyn Morrison and Siobhan Southern, the dynamic duo behind this innovative restaurant, have not only recreated those nostalgic textures from their youth but have also boldly presented them in a way that surprises and delights even the most ardent carnivores.
From their famous vegan chicken and waffles to a North Carolina barbecue that could fool the most discerning palate, Fiction Kitchen is redefining expectations and welcoming new audiences to the vegan table. Their mission transcends the label of ‘vegan restaurant’, inviting everyone to savor the flavors without feeling the absence of what was once familiar.
So, whether you’re a lifelong vegan, a curious foodie, or someone simply looking for a hearty meal, Fiction Kitchen has something that could make you rethink what plant-based cuisine can be. Next time you’re in Raleigh, let their creativity nourish you—it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
Keep following for more delicious adventures and culinary insights. Until next time!
