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C H I C A G O W E D D I N G & P A R T Y R E S O U R C E
W W W . C H I C A G O W E D D I N G R E S O U R C E . C O M
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B A N Q U E T S , R E C E P T I O N S , S H O W E R S & P A R T I E S
Food is one of the most important aspects of the wedding
celebration. But for vegan couples — with non-vegan guests
— preparing a menu devoid of the standards like steak and
chicken and cheesy pasta can prove tricky.
Luckily, today’s vegan menus aren’t just plates of vegetables
or faux-meat dishes masquerading as carnivore cuisine.
They’re composed dishes that folks of any food lifestyle can
enjoy.
A lot of dishes try to mask that they’re vegan. If you’re
vegan, be out and proud.
CLASSIC APPROACH, VEGAN TWIST
In creating a vegan menu, some caterers choose not to
make vegan versions of meaty favorites because people can
tell the difference. Some cater to both meat eaters and non-
meat eaters, and work with vegan customers to create an
experience for all palates.
One popular vegan option is an heirloom tomato bar and
carving station. Chefs carve the tomatoes to order, and
guests can add oil and balsamic vinegar to them with fresh
mozzarella for a non-vegan option. They can throw it in
there and do their own little Caprese.
Whole grilled vegetable carving station where a chef
grills up zucchini, squash and portabella mushrooms,
carves them, and guests can choose various sauces and
condiments is also an option.
Vegans are not second-class food citizens, so treat them the
same way you treat meat people. Let the ingredients stand
out on their own.
CREATIVE COMFORT FOOD
Some chefs work to create vegan dishes that are at the
comfort-food level. Co-owner You can make a nut roast
that tastes similar to meat loaf, barbecue soy chunks that
are like spare ribs, and a cauliflower gratin with cashew
alfredo that’s like a cheesy potato casserole. For those that
are comfortable with vegan options, you can make dishes
like quinoa tabuleh.
For non-vegans try to create a menu that’s something
they’ve had before and something they can recognize, like
walnut crusted eggplant Parmesan that resembles a beefy
marinara over eggplant.
Create food so that guests have warm, fuzzy thoughts for
the bride and groom and are not thinking about how weird
the food is.
Do some fun food. In creating vegan dishes, you can
explore global options such as Indian and Middle Eastern
flavors that people aren’t normally willing to do.
Rock it out animal-free. It can be done.
© CTW Features
Vegan Food Even a Meat Eater Will Love
Vegan couples don’t need to compromise when planning delicious food for their non-vegan guests
By Jill Jaracz
“Rock it out animal-free.
It can be done.”