No Meat Required: The Cultural History and Culinary Future of Plant-Based EatingAuthor: Alicia Kennedy A culinary and cultural history of plant based eating in the United States that delves into the subcultures and politics that have defined alternative food. The vegan diet used to be associated only with eccentric hippies and tofu loving activists who shop at co ops and live on compounds. We've come a long way since then. Now, fine dining restaurants like Eleven Madison Park cater to chic upscale clientele with a plant based