Help, a vegan in my business! 5 tips for smooth operations

Help, a vegan in my business!

In 2019, consumers increasingly found their way to a plant-based diet. In January, traditionally even more people will resolve to eat less meat or switch to a completely vegan diet. A noble decision, but for hospitality operators, it’s still intimidating to have such a strange creature on the premises. Vegans: who are they, what do they do, but most importantly: how can you best serve them?

1. Know who you’re dealing with: what does it mean to be vegan?

Vegans don’t eat any products of animal origin. Specifically, this means they don’t eat meat, fish, eggs, milk, butter – or other dairy derivatives. Honey is also not vegan, just like some types of wine where animal auxiliaries are used in the production process. Someone can be vegan for various reasons, including animal welfare, environmental concerns, or health reasons.

2. Stay calm, they won’t eat you! (because they’re vegan, of course)

When a vegan dines out at a non-vegan establishment, they often do so with some trepidation. They are unfortunately used to regularly encountering misunderstanding and consequently receiving no or a meager meal. The fact that a vegan asks you whether plant-based food is available is actually a compliment: it means they see your establishment as a modern, hospitable place. It’s understandable that you might be startled by the question, as you might realize at that moment that you have ‘nothing to serve.’ However, it’s important to respond kindly, hospitably, and honestly in such moments. When the vegan customer notices that their request is taken seriously and isn’t dismissed with „that’s just not possible!”, the rest of the evening will go much more pleasantly.

3. There’s more in your kitchen than you think

Check which ingredients you already have. Much of it is naturally vegan! You can certainly make very cool, interesting combinations. A complete vegan meal can consist of a combination of vegetables, rice, legumes, and nuts. If the kitchen already uses many fresh, pure ingredients, you really don’t need to worry. A vegan customer often doesn’t mind if you ask them for kitchen tips, as they are somewhat of an expert and enjoy sharing that knowledge.

4. Vegan on the menu

Usually, there are already some vegetarian options on the menu. Vegans often find it difficult to choose this option because cheese or milk is already incorporated into the recipe. An easy solution is to automatically make the vegetarian dish on the menu vegan. Vegetarians who would like to add cheese can choose that option. This way, there’s something for everyone!

5. A vegan is a social creature

Like-minded people seek each other out, and for this reason, there are countless online groups where vegans advertise restaurants that are vegan-friendly. This naturally brings new customers and a completely new target audience to your establishment. Moreover, someone rarely eats alone: a vegan might bring their non-vegan parents, who in turn come back with their friends. How nice would it be to know that people see your establishment as a place where everyone can eat well, enjoying time together with family and friends? Let’s go!

About Jolien Bruyninckx:

Jolien Bruyninckx is a vegan wellness coach, Pilates instructor, and social influencer. She blogs via her Instagram page @jolien_brx about how to live healthily and, most importantly, happily. She is passionate about everything related to wellbeing. Through her website www.veganproof.be you can find more information about coaching for individuals, companies, and schools.
She is passionate about everything related to wellbeing.

She blogs via her Instagram page @jolien_brx about how to live healthily and, most importantly, happily.

Through her website www.veganproof.be you can find more information about coaching for individuals, companies, and schools.

And you can follow her on YouTube.

Want to try vegan dining?

Leave a nice comment on the article. We’ll select someone who will get to enjoy a complete vegan menu at restaurant DE LEVENSBOOM

At De Levensboom, you eat deliciously and healthily. Their main ingredients? Vegetables! In all colors and following the rhythm of the seasons, directly from local farmers. No refined sugars or animal products. They cook completely plant-based. Almost everything is homemade: from lemonades to vegetable burgers and kimchi. Expect refined cuisine in a homely setting.

We find it important to work with organic ingredients. Not only for the impact on our environment and our health but also for the intense flavor. Says owner and chef Hans Van Der Fraenen

You can taste that.