Lean, Clean, and Green: Challenging Pub Norms

With alternatives now ready at hand for almost every type of meat, restaurants have all the buzzing ingredients needed to create flavoursome meat-free dishes with pizzazz that appeal to vegans and non-vegans alike.

A carrot a day can keep the doctor away—not just apples. Even if you are a meat-eater, did you know trying vegetarian options every now and then can help by reduce your carbon footprint? Scrumptious vegetarian cuisine is more accessible than you think. With the largest and fastest growing group on the market, we’re about to take a look at some meat-free dining options that will leave your mouth watering—and perhaps encourage you to become more lean, clean and green.

Luke McLoughlin is co-owner of The Spread Eagle. Previously considered ‘normal’ before transforming into ‘London’s first 100% vegan pub’—this hotspot has veg and vegan lovers addicted to their cuisine.

“The pub was launched in October 2018. We made the decision to go all-vegan to make plant based living accessible and easy,” says McLoughlin.

After years of slim vegan choices on the menu, McLoughlin believed it was time to step up their game and challenge the norm. A modern spin on traditional pub food, McLoughlin is proud to say their menu is now 100% vegan.

“We position ourselves as a pub that just happens to be vegan,” says McLoughlin. “It’s not something that is obvious when you visit us—we have a little note at the bottom of the menu and an insert in our cocktail list.”

With an effort to source food locally, McLoughlin believes they are one step closer to helping provide an effective reduction on carbon footprints. Their menu is strategically revised every month with a focus on seasonality. 

The menu includes a scrumptious faux-groni—a non-alcohol seedlip spice sparkling with spirits and aromatic blend of Jamaican, allspice berry, and cardamom flavours. 

“It’s a take on the traditional Negroni without using Campari. We also have some breweries who supply us with unfiltered kegs as the filtration agents are often derived from animal products,” says McLoughlin. 

So how easy is it to access vegan ingredients? According to finder.com, there are a total of 6,426 restaurants catering to either vegans or vegetarians in the UK. With a handful of artisan suppliers at hand, McLoughlin believes it isn’t too difficult to make that switch and ‘go green’.

“We prepare a vast majority of the food in-house, so from the dry side it’s relatively easy. Most other items will come and go in line with supplier availability, and our amazing head chef Gina shares our ethos of sourcing things locally and seasonally.”

With the increasing demand for vegan products, McLoughlin encourages everyone to review their menu offerings, because demand is “only going to grow over time.”

Squeaky Bean UK creates plant-based food that’s snack ready for those last-minute cravings. A spokesperson from Squeaky Bean mentions tips on how today’s consumers can look for meat-free alternatives. 

“When we speak to our vegan community of consumers, it’s important for them not to miss out on occasions and that includes eating out with friends and family. Having meat alternatives on the menu provides a much broader choice for everyone—meaning those following a plant-based diet either for ethical, health or other reasons aren’t excluded.”

But it’s not only vegans that are seeking scrumptious plant-based options. Research from The Guardian suggests that over half of UK’s population have tried a meat alternative in 2020. 

“While we are seeing more restaurants offering vegan options, it’s important they understand that doesn’t mean consumers necessarily want something that looks and tastes like a vegetable. Many want food that has all the taste, texture and flavour of meat without containing the animal products,” says spokesperson of Squeaky bean.

Terms like ‘Veganuary’ are one of many new year’s resolutions for those trying out vegan options. Gordon Lauder, MD of Central Foods mentions that veg options are becoming more popular because many are aiming to cut down on their consumption of meat and dairy intake altogether. 

“We’re seeing more evidence that the interest and demand for great-tasting vegan products is increasing all the time. Whether that’s for health, environmental or sustainability reasons,” says Lauder.   

Deliveroo reported a huge increase in demand for vegan food during the start of the pandemic in 2020, for example. With orders of plant-based dishes up 163% on the previous year due to the lockdowns and tier restrictions that hospitality had to endure, Lauder says this also reflects the increase in demand for plant-based options in general.

Of the groups being plant-based communities, it’s also interesting to note the rise of flexitarians—a term coined to describe a flexible vegetarian. According to an article by BBC’s Good Food, it states that easy go-to’s for those just starting out, is to seek out plant-based foods containing lentils, beans, peas, nuts and seeds—all excellent sources of protein.

“While the number of vegans and vegetarians are rising, the largest and most fast growing group of plant-based consumers consists of flexitarians and reducers—those who are aiming to cut their consumption of meat, dairy and animal products,” says Lauder.

According to Barclays, the rise of the alternative meat industry could even help in the long run by providing solutions to concerns such as health and large-scale farming impacts, including climate change, animal welfare, and waste. As Barclay’s Alternative Meat Market Report estimates, 92% of plant-based meals in the UK are actually consumed by the UK’s estimated 22 million flexitarians.

There are plenty of positives to going green. How can you kick meat to the curb and try more veg options? Ask for more veg options at your local dining and favourite restaurants. If you don’t see it on the menu—go ahead and suggest it. Try also downloading the app “Grabbd”—a social foodie and travel app catering towards targeting only the best, hand-picked, and most unique cuisine experiences for your dining pleasure. 

You may find your taste buds are pleasantly surprised when you swap your meat for a healthier, leaner, and greener alternative. Challenge yourself and others to reduce your carbon footprint by eating greener.