Vegetarians - What pub caterers have to say
Gary Witchalls, is chef/patron, at the Mole Inn, in Toot Baldon, Oxfordshire
What do you offer vegetarians on your pub's menu?
I offer a reasonable choice for veggies as, in addition to the two veggie options within the main-course range, I offer all starters with an option to order a double portion, so any of the veggie starters can be ordered as a main.
On the lunch menu we offer veggie salads & pastas, which again can be ordered as a double, and I'm always flexible serving one of the meat/fish salads or pastas but without the meat/fish.
Do you think it's important to offer a good vegetarian choice?
Like most chefs I see most vegetarians as a pain in the backside and most bring disappointment on themselves by simply not asking what a particular establishment can offer them before they go. Most veggies say that my offerings are good for them. Part of my reason for not offering a larger selection, or even a veggie menu, is that, although on the increase, veggies are still a very small minority. And, as my view is that any veggie dish I offer has got to stack up and not be a poor cousin to my other dishes, I would suffer unacceptable levels of waste.
Is there a market for vegetarian options with non-vegetarian customers?
I find that a lot of people are happy to order veggie starters or veggie light meals for lunch, but on the whole very few will order a veggie main course. I do actually enjoy the added challenge of making veggie dishes appealing but it is simply a case of supply to demand.
Sue Bennett is head chef at the Bell at Alderminster, Warwickshire
Do you think it is important to offer a good choice for vegetarians?
Very important. The Bell always has a special vegetarian section at the bottom of the menu.
Do you think pub chefs should view vegetarian options as just appealing to vegetarians?
No, vegetarian meals appeal to meat eaters as well. The Bell's vegetarian roulade is extremely popular with meat eaters as is the cashew nut roast - the idea is to make them tasty so they appeal to everyone.
What types of vegetarian dishes do you offer?
The Bell serves four or five vegetarian dishes on the menu - dishes such as wild mushroom risotto, parsnip, sage and apricot roulade and cashew nut roast - and we will always endeavour to cater for a customer's needs. So if they don't like what's on the menu, the team will cook an alternative.
