Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

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

123 replies

WallabyWay · 07/05/2023 18:21

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

OP posts:
Orders76 · 07/05/2023 22:53

I love a nice burger at a buffet and am always surprised quorn and fake chicken burgers are not used. Instead I get some awful, massively thick like a cement brick lentil/chickpea/ vegetable burger.
A lovely quorn burger with ruby slaw and proper trimmings, lettuce, tomatoes and gherkins is fab!

Rainbowqueeen · 07/05/2023 22:55

Vege spring rolls
chocolate mousse
thai salad with peanut dressing

PriamFarrl · 07/05/2023 22:55

Worried1305 · 07/05/2023 18:39

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!

I completely agree. So often you need to get in there with sharp elbows as the meat eaters have it all because ‘it looks nice’ so you are left with nothing.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food
Orders76 · 07/05/2023 22:56

thelaundryfairyhaswings · 07/05/2023 20:37

If you are using any kind of fake meat, please label it. Quorn allergy is a thing

If you are making food that has cheese mixed in with it, again please label it with the name of the cheese. I loathe blue cheese with a passion so finding it in my salad isn't nice.

Omg really, I was going to do sandwiches for charity event at weekend and make with quorn ham, but just smile as people thought they were ham and cheese, is this really an issue?

GCWorkNightmare · 07/05/2023 23:07

Orders76 · 07/05/2023 22:56

Omg really, I was going to do sandwiches for charity event at weekend and make with quorn ham, but just smile as people thought they were ham and cheese, is this really an issue?

Show quote history

Lots of people have reactions to quorn. Not to mention that meat eaters will know it isn’t ham and most vegetarians don’t want food that tastes like meat.

Floribundaflummery · 07/05/2023 23:07

Well OP I must say you have the patience of a saint! It sounds quite the challenge, but how lovely for everyone to be so carefully considered.

I was at a coronation lunch today and talking to young mum with toddler and they had dairy and soy allergies. There wasn’t a lot to offer them from the donated and delicious food sadly so all these ideas on the thread are great for future. Good luck with event.

GCWorkNightmare · 07/05/2023 23:09

Jamhamlamb · 07/05/2023 22:36

Bits i usually do for my vegan guests when doing a buffet
Roasted garlic potatoes
Falafel humus and Guacamole on a wrap
Tabuleh can add cous cous to it
Noodles with shredded carrot, spring onion, peppers, coriander and sweet chili or satay sauce
Coleslaw, can jazz up with apples/cheese/curry powder
Olives
Garlic bread
Sliced tomatoes drizzled in olive oil, garlic and parsley
Miso Mushroom pasta
Fruit Kebabs

I could eat very little of that.

tabouleh is made of cous cous, isn’t it?!

Original poster
WallabyWay · 07/05/2023 23:09

Omg really, I was going to do sandwiches for charity event at weekend and make with quorn ham, but just smile as people thought they were ham and cheese, is this really an issue?

No definitely don't do this, Many people react badly to Quorn. It really runs the guts out of some people. I don't have a problem with and can eat it in any form, it but some definitely do. Plus people should always know what they're eating for allergy and other reasons. And it's just basic decency,

Also I've eaten Quorn ham, I like the smoked fried as a vegan bacon, but I don't think I'd ever be fooled by it. The texture is very different for a start.

OP posts:
thelaundryfairyhaswings · 07/05/2023 23:10

Yes, it is a thing. If I eat quorn without knowing about it then it makes me really unwell, really quickly. Even Greggs have allergy earnings about quorn in their stores. Iirc a lot of quorn contains egg which will be an issue for those with an egg allergy. Because egg is one of the 14 declarable allergens, you need to tell people that there could well be egg in their food.

You won't get quorn ham (or indeed any other fake meat) past people either. Its a completely different taste and texture. If you are serving sandwiches labelled as ham and in reality they are something different then you are also leaving yourself wide open to complaint.

Original poster
WallabyWay · 07/05/2023 23:17

Well OP I must say you have the patience of a saint! It sounds quite the challenge, but how lovely for everyone to be so carefully considered.

It does require a lot of thought but thankfully I'm not doing it alone and we don't have anyone with multiple allergies and no soy or dairy allergies so it could be trickier.(I've probably cursed myself by saying that) The main categories are vegans and vegetarians then we have some with coeliac disease and a few who require a textured diet. 1 person with Type 1 diabetes and 1 with kidney disease. It really helps that we know them all well and are used to accommodating their needs to an extent. Plus the church taking care of the soup and desserts for us.

OP posts:
Bearpawk · 07/05/2023 23:17

Some vegan suggestions:

Asian or Mexican slaw (shredded cabbage, onions, spices, lime juice, coriander)

Dishoom style broccoli salad

Hummus and flatbreads/ crackers

Olives, artichokes, roasted peppers

Spicy bean salad in gem lettuce leaf boats

Mini bruschetta

Filo tarts with vegan fillings

Spicy seasoned Potato wedges with dips

Spring rolls

Original poster
WallabyWay · 07/05/2023 23:19

Omg really, I was going to do sandwiches for charity event at weekend and make with quorn ham, but just smile as people thought they were ham and cheese, is this really an issue?

Also I'm sure that your sandwiches are lovely and I'd happily eat quorn ham and cheese but definitely let people know.

OP posts:
Original poster
WallabyWay · 07/05/2023 23:25

Thanks to everyone who's posted. I have so many wonderful ideas and tips now and I'm incredibly grateful to you all.

OP posts:
almostoverthehill · 07/05/2023 23:43

I’m allergic to Quorn and other fake meat products it’s definitely a thing

Orders76 · 07/05/2023 23:46

I wasn't going to fake label them as such just didn't realize it was an issue.
Thanks so much to everyone for explaining as of course I wouldn't want to do that to people. I think I'll just go the plain salad and cheese route now.
Op your setup sounds fabulous and wonderfully inclusive.

Inkblue · 07/05/2023 23:52

Plenty of colourful salads, maybe roasted veg like aubergine. My heart sinks so often at buffets at all the beige food and lack of healthy options. I don’t like peppers in everything as give me terrible indigestion and I know I’m not alone in that. I think someone upthread suggested putting salad or veg in separate dishes so people can take what they like which seems a good idea.

UWhatNow · 07/05/2023 23:56

Floribundaflummery · 07/05/2023 23:07

Well OP I must say you have the patience of a saint! It sounds quite the challenge, but how lovely for everyone to be so carefully considered.

I was at a coronation lunch today and talking to young mum with toddler and they had dairy and soy allergies. There wasn’t a lot to offer them from the donated and delicious food sadly so all these ideas on the thread are great for future. Good luck with event.

‘Patience of a saint’ and a ‘challenge’? To put on some veggy options? Really?

Longdarkteatimeofthesoul · 08/05/2023 00:05

As a vegetarian of almost 40 years I just want to say thanks for thinking of us! Also letting the veggos have first choice. The number of times I have gone out to a buffet and all the veggo food was gone before I got there as all the meat eaters wanted to try the veggo stuff as it looked good! So thanks for extra effort. And lots of great suggestions in this thread already food wise :-)

BloodyInternetWeirdos · 08/05/2023 00:06

I’m assuming they mean because of all the different options they are doing overall @UWhatNow not just because they are doing ‘some veggy options’. It’s a lot of work doing lots of different choices and it sounds like op is doing a huge spread.

RunningUpThatMill · 08/05/2023 01:17

Sorry if it's been said, but BBQ pulled jackfruit with a bread roll and vegan coleslaw is amazing.

Vegan potato salad.

I'd be buzzing if I went to a party and they had those options. Usually I eat before.

Otherland · 08/05/2023 01:20

Just make it all vegan. There are so many vegan versions of pretty much everything.

Yfory · 08/05/2023 01:24

Little labels/flags clearly showing what different things are........ beef, chicken, tuna, veggie, gf etc. (dont just label the veggie things!)

violetsunrise · 08/05/2023 01:41

I’m vegetarian but agree with a couple of previous posters who said not to make it all vegan. Not all vegan choices and options are nice unfortunately.

Deathmetal · 08/05/2023 01:46

I love cheese! And mushrooms are good but they have to be cooked properly- no one likes soggy, wet ones. I think stuffed mushrooms/peppers etc are naff. Can’t go wrong with bread, pesto, houmous, potato-based snacks

blisstwins · 08/05/2023 01:49

Worried1305 · 07/05/2023 18:39

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!

Yes….it makes me crazy. This happens at work dos all the time. “We ordered veggie sandwiches.” But they go in two seconds because vleveryone likes them. If special diet label as such or make a huge portion veg/vegan because a lot of people do like these foods—more and more really. Thank you for being so thoughtful.

Swipe left for the next trending thread