Nestled between a karate dojo and an optometrist’s office, Bethlehem residents can find some of the sweetest desserts available. The bakery, which was once home to Uncle Ernie’s, now produces custom frozen custards, cupcakes, cakes, and delicious cookies. And while the flavors are like that of many high end bakeries, the baker behind the sweets sets herself apart from all the others. She’s vegan, and every single item to pass over the counter at Vegan Treats is made completely free of animal products.
Danielle Konya, owner of the Vegan Treats bakery, recanted her first memory of the vegan lifestyle, via phone interview. At age 17, she was enjoying a family dinner out. The lobster tank was on full display for the patrons to see, and Danielle recalls hearing, “the most horrible crying noise”, when one of the lobsters was dropped into the boiling water. This experience caused her to push away her chicken meal and become the strictest form of vegetarian, shunning all animal foods and products. The fateful night is responsible for creating a passionate animal advocate whose beliefs go well beyond her front door.
Growing up on a farm outside Bath, PA, Konya learned to bake at an early age. And, in 1998 her love of confections and desire to present the vegan life to the public brought about Vegan Treats. With the help of her mother, adopted daughter, and loving friends, Vegan Treats has grown rapidly, making a great name for this small bakery.
Success has followed close behind this Lehigh Valley baker. Konya has won various awards, been honored by PETA for her efforts, and gained a following in Hollywood. She’s catered to the tastes of vegan celebrities, but also for bands like Bayside, who do not follow vegetarian rule. “I never once tried to become a baker for bands…”, Konya stated. Still, they line up, day after day, to enjoy her infectious goods, vegan or not. Bake it, and they will come.
Despite the reviews and success, it still was a surprise when Animal Planet came calling in 2010. The channel famous for shows like “Animal Cops” and “Whale Wars” approached Danielle about a series of shows profiling her business, and her life. At first she, “wasn’t quite sure what would come of it.” Now, the time has come, and the press release has been printed. Discovery network has hit viewers head on with its recent listing of shows and documentaries. And with the Animal Planet lineup now pushing toward the bounds of activism, Danielle’s everyday life is sure to fit in well. Discovery Communications, INC, parent company of Animal Planet, states,”While we do have some programming that features characters with strong points of view, we present them in an objective and entertaining manner and let the audience decide for themselves.”
Vegan Treats, a hometown success, is now going to get the national recognition which is so richly deserved. Currently, the bakery delivers delectable creations to more than one hundred eateries all over the Northeast, from Virginia to the Bronx. But now, people will get to know Danielle Konya’s name, and mission, in very state.
The concept of the show is to follow Danielle through her everyday life. This will include her home life, where she lives with two adopted dogs and a stray cat she couldn’t say “no” to. The story of her adopted daughter, Britney, is sure to open the eyes and warm the hearts of viewers everywhere. This won’t be a show simply about a bakery, nor her successful business. Animal Planet is working on this twelve part series in order to display Konya’s love for life, and her love of all things living. It’s not just about trying to convert people to the vegan lifestyle. “I definitely feel as though veganism intimidates some people…but if I could get people to eat one vegan meal a day, or at least trying those options, that’s what matters to me.”
She considers herself an animal activist, using sugar and spice to influence those who eat her delectable creations. Sometime in the summer of 2011, Sweet Avenger (working title) will air on Animal Planet. Danielle Konya’s love of animals, relationships with family and friends, and her culinary triumphs will be on center stage, for the nation to see. And by the time the first episode hits the cable network, Vegan Treats will have started their transition to a new, larger location on Stoke Park Rd. in Bethlehem Township. Her face may be in Hollywood, but her love, her life, and her bakery is here in this Valley.
A very special “thank you” goes out to Danielle Konya, owner of Vegan Treats, and Michelle Beary, publicity manager at Animal Planet. Their candid nature and prompt responses made this interview easy and exciting. And in the future, the Animal Advocacy Examiner column will continue to follow Danielle and her presence on Animal Planet.
To learn more about Vegan Treats, visit their website...Vegan Treats. Or, better yet, go try some of these delicious creations for yourself. Vegan Treats is located at 1444 Linden St in Bethlehem, only minutes from downtown.
And make sure to keep up to date on the show's progress. Follow all the Sweet Avenger (wt) news, as well as other Animal Planet shows, but visiting Animal Planet!
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