Veganize This! shows herbivores and carnivores alike how to turn the delicious dishes from their previous butter- and beef-filled lives into tasty vegan creations that go well beyond the sprouts-and-groats fare often still associated with veganism. For the gastronomist, Chef Jenn’s creations include Jumbo Lump Jack- Fruit Crab Cakes with Spanish Garlic Mayonnaise and Quattro Formaggio White Truffle Macaroni and Cheese. Craving something a little more down-home and comforting? Check out the recipes for DIY Vegan “Doritos®” and Chicken Fried Tofu Steak. With tips and tricks throughout—from making your own mock meats to killer dairy substitutes—Veganize This! is also accompanied by a healthy side dish of sass; Shagrin’s comedienne-by-day humor makes this a read that’s satisfying for the funny bone as well as the belly.
Jenn Shagrin is a Los Angeles based Vegan Chef, Actress, Comedienne and Writer. Although she's 25 years old, Jenn likes to believe she hit the genetic lottery, as she's often mistaken for a 14 year old. It's wonderful for her acting career, but not so beneficial when she approaches a bouncer at a night club.
Jenn is most well known for her recurring role throughout Season 5 of "Reno 911!", but does receive the occasional fan mail for the weird Goth character she played on FOX's "The War at Home". She also recently appeared in the new Polish Brothers film "Stay Cool" along-side Hillary Duff, Winona Rider and Chevy Chase, which debuted at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. Jenn also appears in the upcoming indie film "Wild Cherry" starring Rumer Willis, Rob Schneider and Tia Carrere. In Jenn's most recent television role, she plays a Series Regular in David Atkin's new TV comedy, "The Horrible, Terrible Misadventures of David Atkins". She stars alongside some of her favorite comedians, including French Stewart and Janeane Garofalo.
Also during the past four years, Jenn co-wrote, exec produced and starred in the short film "Desperate Hippies", a stoner girl parody of the ABC show Desperate Housewives. "Desperate Hippies" quickly gained a cult internet following, and now prohibits Jenn from being able to attend any Grateful Dead or The Doors cover band shows without being mobbed by her adoring fans.
She has also done several National commercials for companies such as Dunkin' Donuts, Time Warner Cable, Microsoft, and Nintendo. In the television world, she appeared in several episodes of Cartoon Network's "Out Of Jimmy's Head", and secured Guest Star roles on Mitch Rouse's Spike TV show "The Factory", the daytime dramas "General Hospital" and "Passions", and Chris Elliott's 2006 pilot "You've Reached the Elliott's".
In the film world, Jenn plays the child-eating murderer the indie film "Haunted Echoes" alongside Sean Young and M. Emmet Walsh. She also plays the Gay Rights advocating Journalist in the multiple award-winning film "Tru Loved". Both "Haunted Echoes" and "Tru Loved" were released on DVD in 2009.
In the kitchen, Jenn is best known around the Los Angeles area for baking the popular Vegan Twinkies for sale at various restaurants. She also does freelance Vegan Menu Design for local restaurants, most recently Fratelli's Café on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood.
Although this is her first cookbook, Jenn authors the Vegan Recipe blog "Veganize It...Don't Criticize It". It's garnered her a dedicated, kind and supportive fan base of Vegans, Vegetarians and Omnivores from every corner of the world.
After leaving the American Educational system in 2004, Jenn decided it was time to make her mark in the world by pursuing her true passion: Comedy. She jumped in her car and headed west, and since that day, she's yet to stop paving her own path. She lives in West Hollywood, CA with her amazing wife, Jane.
