A FORMER Dorchester student has launched her own plant-based health business in London.

After leaving Thomas Hardye School in 2019, Letitia Harris moved to Australia to pursue a career in cooking, working in some of Australia’s top eateries.

When she returned to the UK, she began working in fine dining for three years and has since launched her very own plant-based food business ‘Elixis.’

All of the products are made from natural ingredients, including their bestselling beetroot brownies based on sunflower seeds and fresh beetroot, featuring an avocado chocolate ganache.

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Also on offer is a raw caramel slice made from whipped tahini and a sell-out key lime pie.

Dorset Echo: Pear and kombucha muffins from Letitia Harris' Elixis LondonPear and kombucha muffins from Letitia Harris' Elixis London

Letitia, 21, said: “It’s basically a glorified salad, containing nourishing ingredients like avocado, fresh limes, spinach and sunflower seeds."

She added: “I feel there is a big shift in people’s attitude towards food, particularly post pandemic, we’re all a lot more conscious of our health and that start with what we put on our plate.

“I want so show people that eating well doesn’t have to be bland or boring, we’ve had great feedback on our food, I think many people are interested in eating more plants, to live healthier and more fulfilling lives, so starting a plant-based business seemed like a natural choice.”

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Letitia has partnered with the Felix Project, an organisation that helps provide healthy meals to the most vulnerable in society and for every meal bought, they donate one to someone in need.

Dorset Echo: Tahini caramel slice from Letitia Harris' Elixis LondonTahini caramel slice from Letitia Harris' Elixis London

She said: “Having previously worked in professional kitchens I saw how much food waste there was. I then volunteered at a homeless centre in London and felt that these food businesses needed to do more to bridge the gap between food insecurity and food waste and in doing so could help people in need.

“For me it was a natural lend to have a business that also made a positive impact on the community around me. For every meal bought we donate one to someone in need.”

The company currently trades at farmers markets across London and online.