I came across this very interesting article written by a vegetarian who works for Caterer's parent Reed Business Information. She claims most top-end restaurants fail to cater for non-meat eaters. Have a read and let us know what you think.
Think of a stereotypical vegetarian… Weak? Pasty? Devoid of energy? Think again, writes senior market research executive Heather Macleod.
I am a vegetarian. Allow me to challenge the stereotype. I work hard and have an active social life. I was proud to be one of the last two on the dancefloor at the Marketing Christmas party. I go to the gym. I even go running sometimes (but I think that is more a case of stumbling around gasping for air).I stopped eating meat because I don't like it. It wasn't to annoy others or make life awkward for restaurateurs. It was not for political reasons either. The shocking truth is I simply like vegetables and do not like meat. (Although I would rather starve than eat fish but that is another story involving a primary school lunch and a fish eye.)
My motivation for writing this column is a desire to re-educate about vegetarians on two points.
Firstly, being vegetarian doesn’t mean I don’t have a healthy appetite. Children’s portions are all well and good… for children! Meat free shouldn’t mean quantity light. The amount of times I have gone home hungry from a meal out is depressing. When asked why he returned to a non-vegetarian diet Paul Weller was quoted as saying: “I was bloody hungry”.
Secondly - and sorry if this may come as a shock to any of you reading - vegetarians like vegetables! In a recent meal out, I was very excited to see the potatoes, parsnips, and butternut squash coming out on my fellow diners’ plates. Imagine, then, my immense disappointment when a plate filled with risotto served like porridge and devoid of vegetables emerged.
My heart sinks when a night out ends up at a restaurant with a non-veggie friendly menu. Being forced to pipe up and ask for something meat free makes me feel as if I am admitting to a dirty secret I should be ashamed of. I often end up apologising, saying, “I know, I'm an awkward eater”.
Thai and Chinese restaurants are great – as is Nando’s, home of the chicken meal, which offers at least four decent veggie options with vegetables included. Even McDonald’s has a more sophisticated vegetarian selection than the slim pickings available in most top-end restaurants. Although fries and milkshake are hardly nutritious.
But come on menu planners, we can do better than this! Vegetarians want to share in the veg too! We are cheap to feed and easy to please… well, regarding food at least.
