How to Handle Vegetarian Catering Requirements

Planning a party, wedding, or other event can be a thrilling experience, but it can also be challenging when catering for all types of dietary requirements. You want all your guests to be happy, well fed and raving about the food rather than walking away hungry and feeling excluded.

Ideally, all your guests, including vegetarians and vegans, will love the catering options and feel like they have been seen and considered. There’s nothing worse for a vegetarian or vegan guest than being marginalised and fed a bland, boring and basic meal of a veggie stack or measly salad with no flavour. Vegetarians and vegans want to eat delicious, filling and nutritionally balanced gourmet food, including veggies, carbs and proteins (plus dairy for vegetarians).

Fortunately, vegetarian catering has come a long way over the years, with increasing numbers of plant-based eaters discovering the benefits for both themselves and the planet. Supermarkets have plenty of varieties of plant-based proteins, with new options hitting the shelves all the time, so there are guaranteed to be enough choices to entice even the most discerning of palates.

If you’re new to the world of vegetarian catering, talk to your caterer about creating delectable dishes with quality protein sources that will leave your guests raving about the food. Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate event or any gathering, let’s dive into the vegetarian delights that will make your occasion truly memorable.

Why Provide Vegetarian Catering?

Before we delve into the delicious options available, let’s take a moment to understand why vegetarian catering is an excellent choice for your event:

1. Inclusivity: Vegetarian catering ensures that everyone can enjoy the meal, regardless of dietary preferences or restrictions. It’s a thoughtful choice that caters to a diverse range of tastes.

2. Health Conscious: Vegetarian dishes often incorporate fresh, nutrient-rich, delicious and health-conscious ingredients. They can be lower in saturated fats and cholesterol.

3. Eco-Friendly: Choosing plant-based options can reduce your event’s carbon footprint, making it an environmentally friendly choice.

4. Culinary Innovation: Vegetarian catering has evolved to offer an array of exciting flavours, textures and dishes that will surprise and delight your guests.

5. Spread the Word: If you or your partner are vegetarian or vegan, you may want to make the whole event plant-based. This will save many animal’s lives over the course of the event (particularly if we’re talking chicken or fish) and will introduce your meat-eating guests to some delicious vegetarian meals for possibly the first time.

Exploring Vegetarian Protein Sources

One common concern when planning vegetarian catering is ensuring that the menu includes ample protein sources. Protein keeps you fuller for longer, whereas if you were to eat a stack of plain vegetables, you would likely be hungry again in twenty minutes. Here are some protein-packed options to consider:

1. Plant-Based Proteins

· Tofu: Tofu is a versatile soybean-based protein that can be grilled, baked or stir-fried to create delicious dishes. Its mild flavour makes it an excellent canvas for various seasonings or sauces.
· Tempeh: This fermented soybean product has a nutty, earthy flavour and a firm texture. It’s great for marinating and grilling and is packed full of nutrients.
· Seitan (AKA wheat gluten): seitan is a high-protein meat substitute with a chewy texture. It absorbs flavours well, making it ideal for stir-fries and BBQ dishes, but it is absolutely not suitable for those with a gluten intolerance or allergy.

2. Legumes and Pulses

· Lentils: Rich in protein and fibre, lentils come in various varieties and can be used in soups, salads, rice dishes and even burgers.
· Chickpeas: Versatile and nutritious, chickpeas are a staple in vegetarian cuisine. They can be used to make hummus and falafel, can be tossed into salads for added protein, and the canned liquid, called Aquafaba, can be whipped into an egg white consistency and used as foam or for a vegan pavlova.
· Black Beans: These legumes are a great source of plant-based protein. They can be used in burritos, salads, veggie burgers or any Mexican-inspired bean dish.

3. Nuts and Seeds

· Almonds: These delicious nuts are packed with protein and healthy fats. They can be used in dishes like almond-crusted tofu or as a garnish for salads. But remember, they are not suitable for anyone with a nut allergy.
· Quinoa: This ancient grain is known to be a complete protein that contains each of the nine essential amino acids. It’s an excellent base for salads and grain bowls and can be used instead of rice to increase the protein levels in any rice dish.
· Chia Seeds: These healthy seeds are high in protein and contain omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and will thicken when added to liquid. They are perfect for use in smoothies, puddings and vegan baked goods instead of eggs.

Yum Vegetarian Catering Options

Yum Catering has been cooking for guests with special dietary needs for years. We’ve catered many events that required partial or full vegetarian or vegan menus. That’s why our extensive vegetarian catering menus will seamlessly complement any style of cuisine your guests may be enjoying. Whether you want to replace a few meat dishes with vegetarian alternatives or prefer to go entirely meat-free, we’ve got you covered:

1. Vegetarian Complements: Our vegetarian dishes are crafted to harmonise with the overall theme of your event. They can effortlessly replace meat-based options while maintaining the richness and flavour your guests expect.

2. Full Vegetarian Menus: If you wish to embrace an entirely vegetarian event, our skilled chefs can create a dedicated menu that shines a spotlight on the best of plant-based cuisine. Every course will be a delectable celebration of vegetarian flavours, from appetisers to desserts.

By choosing our Yum vegetarian catering services, you’re not just accommodating dietary preferences but embarking on a culinary journey that promises deliciousness and satisfaction for everyone, regardless of their dietary choices.
Now that we’ve explored protein sources, let’s dive into some mouthwatering vegetarian catering options that will leave your guests craving more:

Vegetarian Catering Sample Themed Menus

1. Middle Eastern or Mediterranean Mezze

Offer a colourful array of dishes such as hummus, baba ghanoush, tahini and tzatziki dips, pita bread, tabbouleh, Fattoush, falafel, lentils and rice (Mujadara), stuffed grape leaves (dolmas), grilled vegetable skewers, pickles and olives, with baklava or other sweet desserts.

2. Italian Gourmet Pasta

Create a signature pasta dish, or choose a few pasta options with an array of pasta shapes, sauces and toppings. Include ingredients like roasted cherry tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, roast pumpkin, pine nuts, pesto and a variety of cheeses like smooth Danish Feta. Also, offer a tray of freshly baked spinach and ricotta cannelloni or a delicious pumpkin and chickpea or asparagus and pea risotto. Guests will love a hearty and filling meal with lots of colours, flavours and textures. Accompany with salads and garlic bread.

3. Asian Fusion Feast

Craft an Asian-inspired menu with dishes like vegetable spring rolls, sushi rolls, herbed rice paper rolls with tofu, Thai green curry with tofu, satay vegetable stir-fry, fried rice, Vegetarian Singapore noodles, San Choy Bow, gorgeous bao with kimchi and tofu or eggplant, Japanese pancakes or Seitan mock duck pancakes. With lots of options to choose from, your guests won’t go hungry!

4. Spanish Tapas & Paella

If you love a Spanish theme, choose from dishes like patatas bravas, olives, Spanish omelette (tortilla), stuffed peppers, vegetarian or vegan paella, stuffed grilled eggplant, black bean and pumpkin empanadas and finish with Churros dipped in chocolate sauce.

5. Vegan Desserts

Remember to satisfy sweet cravings with a vegan dessert extravaganza. Offer an assortment of vegan cakes, pastries, cookies and fruit platters. Also popular is a decadent chocolate avocado mousse or zucchini brownies.

Choosing a Vegetarian Caterer

When selecting a company to prepare your guests’ delicious vegetarian catering options, clearly communicate your preferences and expectations. Look for caterers with experience in vegetarian cuisine, like Yum Catering, who can create a diverse and flavourful menu to suit your event’s theme and guest’s preferences.

Give us a call today, and we can discuss the perfect vegetarian or vegan catering for your next event.