WHY HAVE PLANT-BASED OPTIONS?

Veganism isn’t a fad. Plant-based foods have seen a dramatic increase over the past decade – and even more so over the past two years. 

According to Global Market Research Company, Ipsos, there are currently over 9.7 million American vegans and the number continues to rise:

• In 2021, plant-based food sales grew 2.5X faster than in 2018-2020.
• “Plant-Based” was listed as category of the year, displaying 199% Year Over Year growth in online retail.
• A report by market research firm, Nielsen, shows that 39% of Americans claim that while their diets are not fully plant-based, they eliminate as many animal-related food products as possible and strive to one day be completely vegan.

Source: https://trulyexperiences.com/blog/veganism-statistics-usa/

Consumers are looking for restaurants that provide a fully curated vegan meal that serves everything from starters to desserts. In response to this huge shift in demand, the restaurant industry is adapting in order to capture health-conscious and plant-based diners as an important source of revenue.

I consult with restaurant owners who want to add more plant-based recipes to their menus. I understand that adapting and creating vegan menus and recipes can be challenging for chefs and owners who do not have experience with plant-based foods.  

I create on-brand, plant-based recipes that integrate with the restaurants’ existing menus, excite their current customers, and attract new ones.

As a vegan culinary consultant, I facilitate the inclusion of plant-based menu items in the following ways:

• Educate the restaurant’s staff so they truly understand what it means to cook vegan dishes.
• Introduce new suppliers that provide plant-based food and the staples of a vegan diet.
• Create a menu that offers a variety of choices from the main vegan food options which include many types of vegetables and fruits; protein-filled legumes, heart-healthy nuts and seeds, easy-to-make pasta and rice dishes, hearty artisan breads, and wonderful dairy alternatives like coconut, oat, soy and almond milk that offer so much flavor.
• Choose vegan options that fit the brand and allow cross-selling in the menu. 
• Train staff to prepare these new recipes.
• Highlight your new menu items and spread the word via social media.

Whether you own a restaurant, manage a kitchen, or are a 5-star Michelin Chef, understanding veganism and the eating habits of those seeking plant-based foods is crucial.