Strict vegetarian being asked to try meat

[PinkFeather]

So, I am a strict vegetarian and have recently started a new job working in a kitchen. The job is wonderful except for one thing...the chef expects me to try meat/meat based products to make sure the flavouring is good.
The thought of trying meat makes me feel physically ill, I have no problem preparing and cooking it, I just don't eat it.
Am I right in thinking it is wrong to ask a vegetarian to do this?

People should be able to do the whole job they're employed for. If it's a job involving cooking food then tasting the food is a big part of the job. If someone who is so fussy about food that they will throw up over a tomato, then maybe they should look for a more suitable job.

As a vegetarian I can understand where you are coming from. However as a vegetarian I wouldn't cook or handle meat, as I am vegetarian for primarily ethical reasons. Your reasons may be different though. I believe it would be reasonable of the restaurant to expect you to try their food, and if this is a sticking point, then perhaps you need to find a job in a vegetarian restaurant. There are plenty around.

Hi op

Just to add, I don't know how far you want to take your culinary career but the chances are that if you stick to the savoury world at some point in it this might come up again, would you consider switching to being a pastry chef where the is almost no meat? ( ignoring the current trend for Bacon in pudding)

a restaurant that serves pork should not employ any Jewish or Muslim person in the kitchen if they will not try the pork dishes to make sure they taste right

How would they know?

And I know plenty of Muslim shop owners who stock and sell alcohol, but who are forbidden from drinking it themselves.

"People should be able to do the whole job they're employed for. If it's a job involving cooking food then tasting the food is a big part of the job. If someone who is so fussy about food that they will throw up over a tomato, then maybe they should look for a more suitable job."

So why did they employ her then, EastMidsMummy? She was completely upfront in the interview about not tasting meat dishes, and was given the job on that basis.

DD is a training chef and does prep work in her kitchen. She is also the fussiest eater in the world.
She has to try all dishes, as do the rest of the staff in the kitchen including head chef.

Funny actually since she started her fussiness has decreased dramatically which makes home life a lot easier .

I thought all kitchen staff needed to taste food tbh.

Normal kitchens (that is, those that have no particular restrictions, i.e. those which are not vegetarian, kosher, halal, etc.) do expect their employees to taste the food. It's part of the job. If this particular restaurant accepted that the OP would not be tasting meat dishes, it's very odd.

And yes, I wouldn't expect someone with food restrictions - for whatever reason - to work there (of course, they can work in vegetarian, kosher, halal, etc. restaurants).

Also, you can sell alcohol without drinking it (hopefully most sellers don't sample their bottles!) But you can't really cook food properly without tasting it.

So why did they employ her then, EastMidsMummy? She was completely upfront in the interview about not tasting meat dishes, and was given the job on that basis.

I agree that they have ballsed the process up.

I think your employers have made a mistake employing you. Clearly you can't be expected to eat meat and therefore are not able to do the whole job.

Could you find a vegetarian or vegan restaurant that needs someone like you in their kitchen?

Sounds like you need a new job. If you can't fulfil your role you should leave. It's a part of the job.