Taste & See offers plant-based options

Published 6:00 pm Monday, February 14, 2022

Harry Watkins has spent most of his life serving and caring for other people.

The owner and founder of Milledgeville’s Taste & See Plant-Based Eatery is a veteran who also worked in health care as a board-certified orthotist serving the Atlanta and Milledgeville communities. He said that he started living a whole food plant-based lifestyle about 22 years ago and it’s something that Watkins called a rewarding experience.

The inspiration to open Taste & See came from the desire that Watkins had to bring greater awareness to the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. As someone with a family history of stroke, high blood pressure and heart disease, it makes perfect sense that Watkins would aspire to make his community more aware of an available healthier lifestyle.

Starting this new business, in his words, was very much a leap of faith for Watkins, who added that he put his trust in the Lord, and also into doing hard work to build Taste & See. The eatery opened its doors in May 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was peaking. COVID-19, according to Watkins, led to many customers pursuing healthier alternatives, so the timing of Taste & See’s opening worked out quite well. His faith also inspired the name of the business, which comes from the verse Psalm 34:8 in the Bible, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Taste & See is located right in the heart of the Milledgeville Historic District at 151 N. Jefferson St. NE.

Watkins described the menu at Taste & See as not only healthy, but also creative, and filled with plant-based options. There are burgers, cauliflower wings, barbecue tofu, Jackfruit sandwiches, and many more dishes and sides available to eat. Taste & See is also never afraid to add new items to the menu, like the recently unveiled sea moss shake.

“Our recipes are all plant-based,” he explained. “There are no animal products, no cholesterol or saturated fats, high fiber and yummy. We also air-fry all our hand-cut potatoes.”

Taste & See also offers its own detox plans.

“It’s a juice fast for a few days, using the eight laws of health to help improve overall quality of life,” he said.

What Watkins said he enjoys most about running the business is the enjoyment that he gets from helping people, along with utilizing his creativity to develop new recipes.

“It is the spirit of love and sacrifice for others and making a difference in others’ lives that brings joy to my heart,” he said.

Watkins hopes the eatery will continue growing resulting in even more chances for his establishment to make its presence known.

“My hope is that each customer feels the love and joy of a unique plant-based dining experience from a team who cares for them and their family,” he said. “We offer a wonderful approach to dining for your health.”