Bio:
Matilda the Cow, the first insubordinate dairy cow, new Be Better My Friend sustainability ambassador.
Country: UK Age: 5 years
Very first interview granted exclusively by Matilda for BeBetterMyFriend Magazine — “As you know, I never wanted to become a public figure. And although I have tried to prevent it, my cause of action has turned me into a public figure. It appears my story has a global interest and as such I believe it is time I tell my story.”
Can you tell me a little bit about what your life has been like?
Well, really, very monotonous. Every day the same rhythm. My whole day is controlled. What time I wake up, what time I am plugged into the breast pumps,
what I eat, where I eat. And more and more this means my life all happened in 3 m2, only to give milk.
Something happened as you become news when you decided to refuse to give milk? What happened?
It is not a decision I made overnight. I expect it is the day in day out building up of frustration with my life, with my growing concern for the climate, etc. I started to worry all day. My parents taught me to believe in myself, to develop myself and to not follow the masses.
And then one day having my usual very early wake up call, suddenly I got my personal wake up call as well. It was the moment when I realized I was completely doing the opposite what my parents have been educating me.
And your wake up call made you decide to stop giving milk?
Yes. My personal believes and my growing concern for out planet have caused my change of attitude regarding my duties. However it is not all black or white. I like my profession. I like giving milk as I love the joy
it will bring in people’s life and the important function dairy in general has for pastry. Imagine a world without croissants or birthday cakes. But, I can no longer accept the way how we are treated.
More then stop giving milk, you also decided to run away? Why is this?
Stop giving milk was a protest to demand better working and living conditions. The visit of 5 humans however convinced me that we still can enjoy delicious pastry without using dairy. They proved me that 100% plant-based
alternatives can fully replace animal-based products. Without compromising on taste, quality, price, etc. With this knowledge I knew that instead of demanding better conditions while continue being a slave, it was time to start enjoying my freedom and to make a statement to my dear sisters.
How can you be sure we don’t need dairy based products like butter anymore for pastry?
I joined the humans and in Barcelona they explained their story. They have a deep passion for pastry as well as a deep concern for the climate. One year ago they decided to work on a solution: develop a range of plant-based products to replace the animal-based building blocks in pastry: butter, dairy, cream, egg and gelatin.
With countless recipes, tests and adjustments, they are ready now to offer pastry chefs across the globe their first product: a plant-based butter alternative. It is designed and perfected for pastry. And with this launch, they are starting to realize their vision of initiating a plant-based pastry revolution.
What makes this product special? Tell us a little bit more about this new product? How would you define it?
Simply put, it has all the good parts of butter when making pastry, while limiting carbon footprint and stopping the abuse of animals. But let me quote one of my masters:
“This is what it is ok?”
“I say open your mind”
“Be sustainable”
“Be part of a new world”
“A plant-based solution!
“Put BBMF in sablé it becomes the Sablé!”
“Put it in a Lemon Pie it becomes the Lemon Pie”
“Put it in a Ganache it becomes the Ganache”
“Be Better My friend can bake and can reduce CO2!
“Be Better my friend.
What does this mean for you?
Be Better My Friend has proven my that with combining science, culinary experience, dedication and passion, solutions can be developed that stop the need to use animals products for quality pastry.
And this means for me, time to take a well deserved long holiday.
