“I used to pick, snack, taste, and dip my way through a shift,” says Ultreia’s executive chef, Adam Branz. But after a cholesterol scare, he went vegan. Today, “I appreciate this lifestyle more than I ever thought.” One of Branz’s fave dishes: Watercourse’s smoked jackfruit sandwich. “I’m from St. Louis, and barbecue holds a big place in my heart. A good BBQ sandwich is a showcase of balance—fat, acid, salt, sweetness—and textures—soft, crunch, chew. This sandwich is all of the above. And it bridges the gap between who I was before and who I am now. I also like big, sloppy bites. I love how a sandwich feels in my hands, soft and at the edge of falling apart. I thought these sensations would fall by the wayside, but Watercourse has kept them alive.”
