Vegetarians and vegans:What would you like to see at a buffet?

[WallabyWay]

I'm helping to arrange a buffet. There will be a mixture of hot and cold food. What foods would you like to see at a buffet please?

(Vegans and vegetarians and others with special diets will be invited up first, but we'll make sure that there's plenty because people who eat meat can enjoy vegetarian/vegan options too.)

TIA

A nice bulgar wheat Greek salad (without feta unless you can get a good vegan one).

Quiche
pizza
Veggie sausage rolls
sandwiches
crusty bread
cheese

I'd love some sort of chick pea salad.

A great cheese board (not for serious vegetarians maybe), nice crackers, coleslaw, pizza slices. Vegetarian sausages maybe.

Nice salads that are interesting
Little veggie pastries eg tomato and caramelised onion tart
Some dips

Some nice salads. Veggie rolls - not fake meat, but something naturally vegetarian e.g. cheese and onion or mushroom. Mozzarella sticks or halloumi fries. Falafel.

What sort of sandwich filling would you like?

salads - roasted butternut squash - roasted nuts- Bulgar wheat - leaves - rocket - with nice dressings - soy/maple/lemon/garlic.
falafel
hummus
breaded halloumi
olives
sun dried tomatoes
pastries with maybe pesto/ parmasen filling
chutneys
crackers
grapes
cheese
Hot dish of maybe Veg tagine with flatbreads and quinoa

Onion bhajis
vegetable samosas
Halloumi fries
Cheese rolls
Salad
Pizza

Don't make all the vegetarian options vegan as well, there needs to be cheese.

Cheeseboard
Quiche
Hummus with crudités and bread of some sort
Olives
Sausage rolls
Crisps
A couple of types of salad

My partner is a “serious vegetarian” and would love a good cheese board of cheeses made with vegetarian rennet! Not hard to do, there are loads.

OP, I’m assuming this is a fork buffet not a finger buffet? If so, a few lovely salads with interesting dressing, maybe half of each without the feta or goats cheese or whatever added. The recent salad thread is good inspo! Quiche for the none vegans as others have suggested, and potatoes of some sort. Potato salad / coleslaw with a yoghurt or oil based dressing for the vegans rather than mayo.

Also, not all meat replacement products as some don’t like these but a few veggie sausage rolls etc (clearly labelled) wouldn’t go amiss. Not sure if you’re making or buying but for the vegans quite a few bought ones might contain egg etc - tofu sausages and bought pastry home assembled would be lovely or you can buy some lentil type versions.

Really nice of you to be giving it so much thought!

I’m veggie but don’t eat starches and am allergic to tomatoes. I’m generally stuck with cheese and crudités at most buffets. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Something (anything) for vegetarians that isn't vegan eg quiche, cheese straws/filo pastries/tartlets etc. It's like vegetarians have been forgotten on restaurant/catering menus nowadays.

I’m veggie but don’t eat starches and am allergic to tomatoes. I’m generally stuck with cheese and crudités at most buffets. 🤷🏻‍♀️

What would you like to be offered at a buffet?

The biggest worry for vegetarians with a buffet is that all the veggie food gets gobbled up by meat-eaters before they get a look in. Not sure what you are planning, but if this is for a more general buffet then a label that says “this is for vegetarians only” is essential, please!

Thanks all. I really appreciate the suggestions so far.

There will definitely be cheese and egg dishes. It will be a mixture of vegan and vegetarian not just vegan dishes I promise.

A massive sign saying 'please leave for vegans' on at least one vegan platter!

I know meat-eaters can enjoy vegan food, but dear lord I've been to so many buffets where some of them apparently feel compelled to wolf down all the falafel, rice salad, grapes and vegan/vegetarian pizza on top of their massive platefuls of paté, salmon quiche, deli meats and pork pies.

Maybe separate as much as possible?

so a couscous/bulgur wheat salad as above, but a bowl of feta cubes separately so the veggies can add if needed?

clear labelling would be ours, a newly diagnosed dairy allergy, and a child who is developing a fear of accidentally eating it, she now won’t unless the labelling is clear or the chefs can reassure.

Not sure what you are planning, but if this is for a more general buffet then a label that says “this is for vegetarians only” is essential, please!

There'll be plenty of food for everyone because meat eaters enjoy the meat options too, I certainly do, but anyone with dietary needs will be invited up first to fill their plates and we'll hold some back so that if the vegetarians and vegans are still hungry, we can give it to them directly. It's going to be at least 50% meat free food if not more.

Good salads
Coleslaw
Potato salad
Roasted veg
Cheese, chutney, grapes and oatcakes

It would be good to have some gluten free veggie choices.

Sainsbury's fridge department has lots of vegetarian buffet style food.

I have very simple tastes, I wouldn’t be faffing about making pulled jackfruit or coronation smashed chickpea. I’d just be thrilled to find Egg mayo and cheese & pickle.

Vegan coleslaw and potato salad I crave these!

Proper pudding that isn't another bloody fruit salad or sorbet

Ideally a sort of make your own salad arrangements with all the ingredients separate.