Vegan Chef D · New Zealand
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Open tool Make it plant-basedPlantSwitchFind practical vegan substitutions with starting ratios, uses and chef-led method guidance.
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Visit GreenMenu for businessMeet Vegan Chef D
Professional chef experience, made useful in your kitchen.
Damian Oehlrich is a New Zealand chef with experience across executive kitchens, remote hospitality, lodges, vessels, cafés and high-volume food service. Vegan Chef D turns that experience into approachable plant-based recipes, practical techniques and tools for everyday cooks.
The aim is straightforward: help people make vegan and plant-based food that tastes good, feels satisfying and works in real life. Business consultancy remains available through the separate GreenMenu professional section.
Selected work
Food designed for the moment around it.
A glimpse of Damian's own previous plant-based food and hospitality work, including selected Greenhouse Aotearoa work—from colourful seasonal plates and hand-finished sweets to event service and memorable drinks.





Selected images from Damian's previous food and hospitality work.
Worldwide vegan product radar
Global launches—before and as they land.
A worldwide watch for newly announced and recently launched vegan food, drinks and useful kitchen products. Each verified feature will show its launch stage, expected timing and regional availability, with a clear link to the original source.
Any future affiliate links will be clearly identified. GreenMenu may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Monty's launches five-ingredient vegan Cultured Oat Butter
The salted, dairy-free butter is made with organic coconut oil, water, certified gluten-free organic oats, sea salt and cultures. Monty's lists retailers across California and New York and also sells it online.
View the official product page Brand source · Original GreenMenu editorial image · No affiliate relationship
Earth's Own launches two vegan protein drinks across Canada
Oat Protein is designed for everyday uses such as cereal and smoothies, while Protein Barista is formulated for hot and cold coffee. Both provide 8g of plant protein per 250ml serving and are explicitly labelled vegan by the brand.
Official launch announcement Brand announcement · Original GreenMenu editorial image · No affiliate relationship
Planet Oat launches five-ingredient Humble Edition Oatmilk
The refrigerated oat milk is made from water, oats, banana purée, sea salt and baking soda. Planet Oat confirms its oat milks are vegan, and the new edition is beginning its US rollout at selected Walmart locations.
Official launch announcement Brand announcement · Original GreenMenu editorial image · No affiliate relationship
Daring launches six vegan one-pan frozen Skillet Meals
The 10-minute range pairs Daring plant chicken with vegetables, grains, legumes or pasta. Flavours include Mediterranean chickpeas, smoky chilli, grains and greens, lemon-garlic rotini, teriyaki stir-fry and penne pomodoro.
Official Daring launch page Brand source · Original GreenMenu editorial image · No affiliate relationship
Alpro rolls out an extra-creamy Greek-style vegan yoghurt range
The new 400g range comes in natural, forest fruits and peach-passionfruit flavours. Production began in August, with European distribution scaling over one to two months and a UK launch confirmed under the Greek Creamy name.
Read the verified launch report Editorial source · Original GreenMenu editorial image · No affiliate relationship
Oshi expands its vegan salmon fillets into 22 US stores
The 100% plant-based fillets are newly stocked at eight Bristol Farms stores in Southern California and all 14 Better Health Markets and Cafes in Michigan, taking Oshi's US retail footprint beyond 100 locations.
Read the verified retail launch report Editorial source · Original GreenMenu editorial image · No affiliate relationship
Táche launches limited-edition Pumpkin Spice pistachio milk
The brand's first fall release is a seasonal Pumpkin Spice Barista blend, available to order directly in the US. Táche's official FAQ confirms that its products are vegan.
Official Táche product range Brand source · Original GreenMenu editorial image · No affiliate relationship
Parmela launches a vegan lunchbox-style Munch Box
The chilled snack pack combines Parmela's plant-based cheddar, Prime Roots' mushroom-based ham and crackers. It is stocked by US retailers including Giant Eagle, Woodman's and Besties Vegan Paradise, which ships nationwide.
Verified vegan retailer listing Retailer link · Original GreenMenu editorial image · No affiliate relationship
Wholey launches a vegan protein breakfast range
The new lineup includes chocolate and cinnamon protein cereal loops plus four granolas: Chocolate Brownie, Coconut Crunch, Chocolate Chip Almond and Salted Caramel Cashew. Wholey confirms that every product it sells is vegan.
Official Wholey product range Brand source · Original GreenMenu editorial image · No affiliate relationshipBeyond Immerse reaches every Erewhon location
Beyond Meat's vegan sparkling protein drinks are now stocked at all 14 Erewhon stores. Peach Mango, Strawberry Lemonade and Cherry Berry each provide 20g of plant protein and contain no dairy or whey.
Official Beyond Meat announcement Brand source · No affiliate relationshipBioCheese launches protein-fortified vegan cheddar shred
The coconut-oil-based shred contains pea protein and provides 10g of protein per 100g. It is now stocked at Coles supermarkets and independent grocers nationwide.
Read the launch report on Green Queen Editorial link · No affiliate relationshipTruly Indian expands its vegan frozen naan range
Tikka Masala Naan is rolling out through Whole Foods Market, Meijer and selected Sprouts stores. Butter Chik'n Naan is initially available at selected Whole Foods locations through 31 October before a wider rollout.
Official Truly Indian product page Brand source · No affiliate relationshipUMYUM lands in more than 480 Sprouts stores
The Canadian brand's vegan, dairy-free range includes white-rind Monroe, Za'atar & Spices and Basil & Garlic cashew cheeses, now available in Sprouts deli sections nationwide.
Read UMYUM's launch announcement Brand press release · No affiliate relationshipGreen Choice Proteins announces its first US consumer launch
Chocolate, vanilla and salted caramel powders made with Australian-grown pea and faba proteins are set to launch through OneLavi. The brand explicitly identifies the range as 100% vegan.
Read the launch report on vegconomist Editorial link · No affiliate relationshipMILKLAB brings oat and almond milks to NZ supermarkets
The Home Barista Oat and Almond products have launched at Woolworths stores nationwide. MILKLAB's official FAQ confirms that all of its plant-based milks are vegan.
Read the launch report on Inside FMCG Editorial link · No affiliate relationshipMALK launches Whole MALK nationwide in the US
The organic plant-based milk blends soy, coconut, cashew and pea protein and provides 12g of plant protein per serving. MALK states that its range is 100% vegan.
Official MALK announcement Brand source · No affiliate relationshipMALK adds shelf-stable coconut and cashew milks
The two organic, unsweetened plant milks bring MALK's refrigerated coconut and cashew varieties to pantry-ready cartons. They are available through Amazon, and MALK confirms its range is 100% vegan.
Official MALK announcement Brand source · No affiliate relationshipJuicy Marbles launches vegan butcher-minced bangers
The coarse-ground, beef-style plant sausages launched online exclusively through Ocado. The retailer explicitly lists the product as suitable for vegans.
Verified Ocado product listing Retailer link · No affiliate relationshipCalifia launches two vegan Banana Crème coffee products
The nationwide US release pairs an organic almond creamer with a ready-to-drink almondmilk latte. Califia's official FAQ confirms that all of its products are vegan.
Official Califia Farms announcement Editorial link · No affiliate relationshipTostitos enters refrigerated dips with vegan chunky guacamole
PepsiCo's official announcement verifies the new guacamole as vegan. It is planned for nationwide US release in 8 oz, 15 oz and six-count single-serve formats.
Official PepsiCo announcement Editorial link · No affiliate relationshipSilk adds protein yogurt and ready-to-drink shakes
The plant-based range includes four yogurt flavours and shelf-stable vanilla and chocolate shakes, with a nationwide US retail rollout.
Read on vegconomist Editorial link · No affiliate relationshipSwees moves into vegan yogurt with three chilled flavours
Made with organic Chiang Mai soybeans and coconut milk, the range has launched in Original, Strawberry and Blueberry.
Read on vegconomist Editorial link · No affiliate relationshipOato puts a fresh matcha latte on UK doorsteps
The British-made oat drink is available for a limited period through The Modern Milkman's doorstep delivery service.
Read on vegconomist Editorial link · No affiliate relationshipGimme rolls out vegan K-Crisps nationwide
The organic jaban-style seaweed crisps are designed as both a snack and a pantry topper. Gimme's official release confirms vegan ingredients and a nationwide US retail rollout during Q2 and Q3.
Official Gimme Seaweed announcement Editorial link · No affiliate relationshipEstablished work, public proof
GreenMenu is new. The chef work behind it is not.
These are historic businesses, customer reviews and professional collaborations from Damian's plant-based career. They show the work existed in real kitchens, with real customers, before it became an online consultancy.
Founder and owner-chef venture
The Greenhouse Aotearoa
Damian founded and operated this plant-based café in Whanganui. The public record includes customer reviews and an independent media profile covering the business and Damian's plant-based work.
“The salad was out of this world tasty and plentiful.”
Plant-based pop-up and public reviews
Crafted by D · Picton pop-up
Crafted by D was Damian's plant-based pop-up in Picton. Eight public Tripadvisor reviews praised the food, presentation, coffee, service and ability to make plant-based food welcoming to non-vegan customers.
“Friendly service, delicious coffee and incredible plant based food.”
Retreat and demonstration work
YogaChef experience
Marlborough Yoga Retreats publicly lists Damian for private-chef work and plant-based cuisine cooking demonstrations.
“Chef / Plant-Based Cuisine Cooking Demonstrations”
Private plant-based chef travel
Take a chef who understands your food with you.
For selected private clients, Damian is available to travel within New Zealand or internationally to provide tailored plant-based food during a holiday, family stay, voyage, retreat or private-residence engagement. The service is designed for clients who value privacy, consistency and the freedom to enjoy their trip without planning every meal.
Damian grew up sailing in the Marlborough Sounds and worked as chef aboard MV Odyssey out of Broome in 2024, preparing food for guests and crew in a compact galley during remote marine operations. He is particularly well suited to private yachts, charter vessels, expedition boats and coastal itineraries.
GreenMenu Kitchen Sidekick
Easy, useful helpers you will want to return to.
Use these calculators and idea helpers for a fast starting point. Paid GreenMenu work begins where generic outputs stop: testing, exact yields, supplier realities, implementation and team support.
Open Kitchen SidekickPlantSwitch
Find practical vegan ingredient replacements with quantities, use-case guidance and preparation notes.
Open tool area Available nowRecipe Cost Calculator
Calculate food cost, portion cost, gross margin and a useful target selling price.
Open tool area Available nowWhat’s in Season
See seasonal produce, what is coming next and where it may fit on a menu or specials board.
Open tool area Available nowDish Idea Generator
Turn three or four plant-based ingredients into practical concepts ranked for ease and margin potential.
Open tool areaLive market context: Open the Plant-Based Business Pulse for current industry headlines, published growth data and practical operator signals.
Work with GreenMenu
Partners, affiliates and advertisers.
Reach a growing chef-led audience interested in plant-based food, useful kitchen tools and better hospitality. GreenMenu welcomes aligned creators, brands, suppliers and sponsors worldwide.
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Make an advertising enquirySupport future plant-based research
Found something useful? Help fund the next recipe test.
Voluntary tips help cover ingredients, test batches, photography, research time and the continued development of GreenMenu tools. They also support the current build of a 100% vegan food caravan in Marlborough, designed around fresh, local and tailored plant-based options.
Common questions
Built for operators, not just vegan venues.
Plant-based menu work should make the whole offer stronger—not make the business feel narrower.
Is GreenMenu only for fully vegan businesses?
No. GreenMenu works with cafés, restaurants, accommodation businesses and food brands that want stronger plant-based choices. Your entire business does not need to be vegan.
Will the recipes work in a commercial kitchen?
That is the point. Recommendations are shaped around workflow, staffing, ingredient availability, prep load, consistency and service—not just how a dish looks in a photograph.
Can you work with businesses outside New Zealand?
Yes. GreenMenu works New Zealand-wide, prioritises New Zealand and Australian clients, and welcomes international enquiries. Remote projects can be delivered worldwide, while on-site travel is quoted separately.
Can we contact Damian by phone or WhatsApp?
The public contact method is email. A direct phone number or WhatsApp contact can be shared privately once a client is engaged and the project needs faster communication.
Ready to start?
Send the menu—or tell Damian what you want your team to experience.
A quick email is enough. We can work out the sensible next step from there.