The word vegan is heard more and more frequently, but what is a vegan and how does it differ from a vegetarian? Many people confuse these terms and when it comes to elaborate a Vegan Catering, it can be a serious problem.
In order to explain the difference between vegan and vegetarian we have to understand that:
Classic vegetarian is a person who does not eat meat or fish, but does eat eggs and also consumes dairy products.
A strict vegetarian is a person who, in addition to not consuming meat or fish, does not consume eggs or dairy products. In fact, no products of animal origin. Therefore, honey is also excluded.
Vegan is a person whose value system does not accept the exploitation of animals. Neither as food nor as any other resource.
In other words, a vegan is a strict vegetarian who tries to avoid anything that involves animal exploitation. This includes clothing (wool garments, fur) and footwear (leather).
In addition, a vegan also does not use cosmetics or cleaning products in which animal experimentation is carried out (or that directly contain animal products), nor does he/she consume any type of entertainment that involves animal exploitation: circuses, zoos, dolphinariums and others.
In short, a vegetarian may have changed his or her diet because of an intolerance, to lose weight, for the environment..., but a vegan's main motivation for changing his or her diet and lifestyle is animal welfare: veganism is not a diet, but a doctrine or an ethical system of values.
ARTIGOT VEGAN CATERING
Our start in vegan catering as we have already told on other occasions came from the hand of a bride and groom who wanted to make their wedding in 2017 with absolutely vegan diet.
The truth is that they had no qualms about entering our kitchen and teaching the Artigot team recipes and tricks that considerably improved the dishes.
From there we developed a complete vegan offer in all our services in 2018: coffees, cocktails and menus, which we use more and more frequently, if not for all diners, then for people who declare themselves vegan and who are happy to finally be able to eat, at the company events they attend.
We've had a few vegan weddings already, and the success lies in choosing dishes that people who eat animal products cannot compare with their vegan counterparts, for example, the tofu burger will never resemble a beef tenderloin burger (although it must be said that the Beyond "meat" is very well done...) This way, they are not disappointed.
We have a very curious anecdote in this regard.
On a certain occasion, we offered a vegan menu to the directors of the main event agencies. The truth is that we took a gamble because, although we had already tested it with non-vegans at that wedding, the look on their faces when we told them what they were going to eat was a poem.
They had yucca strips with spiced salt as an appetizer, mango ceviche, Boletus risotto and mushroom and truffle cannelloni ..... The dessert was not vegan and the wine was not lacking, of course.
I don't think we have ever been congratulated with more sincerity and surprise.
How could we not be encouraged to continue with this line?
WHAT DOES A VEGAN EAT?
The vegan diet is 100% plant-based, in which no meat or foods containing ingredients of animal origin or derived from them are consumed.
From fruits and vegetables, they obtain vitamins, minerals and fiber.
From legumes proteins, zinc and iron.
From nuts and seeds, minerals, nutrients and healthy fats.
From whole grains and cereals, carbohydrates and fiber.
Fortunately, there are already many foods on the market that can be used as meat substitutes, such as tofu, hamburgers and sausages made from soybeans, lentils, chickpeas, seitan or lupins.
And dairy substitutes such as cheese, yogurt, cream or milk, made from soy, nuts and cereals, which are increasingly successful in terms of taste and texture.
They can be found in many supermarkets on a regular basis.
But to be able to offer a vegan catering complete and delicious, it is necessary to dedicate a lot of time, research, imagination and, above all, a lot of love.
Like Artigot Vegan Catering, do you dare to try it? You will be surprised, no doubt.
