Serving Kindness, One Plate at a Time

Brooklyn, New York – there’s a place where food isn’t just nourishment, but an act of love. Behind the counter at Ital Kitchen and The Vital Shoppe, you’ll find Chef Michael Gordon, a man whose mission is simple yet profound: to give the world kindness through healthy food.

A proud Rastafarian associated with the  12 Tribes of Israel, Chef Mike carries a philosophy rooted in love, balance, and vitality. “Health is priceless,” he says with calm conviction, his words carrying the same warmth you feel when stepping into his kitchen. Each dish tells a story of culture, care, and community—a reflection of his belief that food should heal both body and spirit.

When asked what inspired him to start Ital Kitchen, his answer is refreshingly humble: “I needed work.” Yet from that simple beginning grew something much deeper—a purpose. What began as a way to sustain himself became a way to sustain others. Through Ital Kitchen, Chef Mike has become a source of light for his community, offering plant-based meals that feed more than just hunger. They feed well-being.

For Chef Mike, giving back isn’t a marketing slogan, it’s a way of life. Every year, his Free Thanksgiving Dinner brings people together around the essence of what food truly means: unity, gratitude, and care. “The concept is always giving people what they need,” he explains. “Health is priceless.”

That philosophy extends to his staff as well. His goal? “For our employees to afford all their needs.” In an age where small businesses often struggle to stay afloat, Chef Mike leads with compassion, not competition. The reward, he says, is simple yet powerful: 

“I get to be kind to strangers.”

Challenges come with the territory, but he doesn’t see them as setbacks. “There’s no mistake learning what works,” he reflects. His perspective feels both grounded and liberating. Chef Mike’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is as soulful as his food:

“Follow your bliss.”

At the end of the day, it all comes back to one mantra that guides both his life and business: “Love yourself”.

And through Ital Kitchen, that love ripples outward. One plate, One smile, One act of kindness at a time.