Nobody argues with stopping animal cruelty. No one wants to see the planet burn. But some people just cannot put that last piece of the puzzle in that is vegan food. I have met meat eaters that completely understand why veganism is a good option but they just can’t say goodbye to that steak. I have also met, more frustratingly, almost vegans (vegetarians) who just love the taste of eggs and cheese too much.
Whatever a non-vegan classifies themselves as, it is 9 times out of 10 because they cannot see veganism as a diet that they can compare to their current diet. They don’t seem to want to accept that it can be just as filling, tasty and nutritious. Well that is on us. It is on you and it is on me to fix.
We can put delicious, hearty meals in front of our friends and family. I haven’t met a person who hasn’t just enjoyed a good meal for what it is. So why wouldn’t they like whatever you put in front of them? If you try to have a conversation about it first, this seems to be the opportunity for them to steer clear of the food. But if you just follow one vegan meal with another and then another. Or you invite them to a feast or a buffet. Show them vegan food is attainable, tasty and nutritious. Don’t talk about, just cook it.
For example, this weekend is NFL Superbowl weekend. I will always host an event with friends. Okay so this year it will be virtual. But I know my NFL Superbowl food would be vegan. I wouldn’t run the menu past my friends or have an in depth discussion about it first. I will look at what they would expect to eat at an NFL Superbowl party and put it in front of them. They might expect pulled pork burgers, so I will do pulled jackfruit. It won’t be a poor attempt either. It will be a slow smoked over the course of the day, packed with flavour and served on fresh brioche buns. They might expect fudgey brownies sundaes, well they will get it. No one will think about meat or diary, no one will question the food they eat. They come for the flavour, and I sure can provide them with that.
Put the love and care you have always put into food. This will shine through your menu and offering. For me, if anything, my food has improved because of my added passion of doing better in the world with the food choices I make.
This blog felt like a bit of a ramble, but I hope you have taken some nuggets from it. Go out there and smash your friends and family in the face with delicious vegan food. Don’t talk, just cook.