How to handle vegetarian concerns about asado catering at a family wedding

[OneNewEagle]

Just had our invite for a family wedding. I’m really worried about the food which I wasn’t expecting. We are vegan and vegetarian. The food is cooked outside asado. I’d never heard of the term being vegetarian so had to google it unfortunately for me.

Has anyone been to a wedding with this? As we’ve been vegetarian our whole lives I’m not sure we can cope with it.

It is a wedding we need to really attend due to family fallouts and so on. also worried about some of the elderly family members for the same reasons as they are not meat eaters. I never expected to get an invite to anywhere with food like this as everyone close knows how we were brought up, I can think of at least twenty of us where this is a problem. I can’t think what my DN is thinking :(

Also not sure I can decline due to how the food is being cooked.

The caterer will have some pre prepared vegetarian option, they aren't going to be cooking your risotto on a big grill. But take snacks in your handbag like packets of nuts, dried fruit, protein/granola bars just in case and you'll be fine. It's one afternoon of eating weird. As a lifelong vegetarian/vegan myself I have done this plenty of times. No biggie.

Is this in the UK? Are your family/DNs fiance South American?

In any case, surely they won't only be serving meat and there will be a separate vegetable grill where the sides will be cooked as well as the mains for non meat eaters?

But in case the bride and groom are planning a festival of meat, surely someone needs to say something on behalf of the 20+ vegetarians, before plans are finalised?

Talk to them upfront?

I can't have milk and gluten and always contact catering before the day.

I don't mind bringing my own food if needed. But it's easier if I known it a few days before.

Surely there's an option to specify dietary requirements? Caterers usually take these pretty seriously.

Worst case scenario - take snacks and get a takeaway/room service later on.

Take snacks. It’s a family member’s big day. Yes it’s hugely thoughtless to only do a giant Argentinian meat-fest if you have veggie family invited but a) you don’t know what veggie provision there is or isn’t b) for one day you take a deep breath and a cheese sarnie or some cashews.

I’d never heard of it so had to google but it looks a bit like a fancy bbq - I can’t imagine there won’t be vegan options - but ultimately you just need to ask them and say you will bring food for yourselves if they don’t have a vege option (which would be pretty rubbish of them)

If it's a company like this one, I imagine that there will be vegetarian items available.

www.asadofirekitchen.co.uk/weddings

I would just ask if there will be any veggie options. I'm sure there will be if it's in the UK. If not, have a big breakfast and take snacks!

There will be a vegetarian option, there always is. Your DN is entitled to have what she wants at a wedding. If in the vanishingly unlikely event she has told the caterer she does not want the 20+ vegetarian members of the family catered for then you take snacks and get food later in the day from delivery/take out from somewhere. Regardless of your reasons you need to attend (family fall outs etc) it would be ridiculous not to attend due to catering, you just sort yourself out.

The link that square mile has given shows a wonderful vegetarian selection.

Very dramatic OP … “not sure I can cope with it” 🤣

This.

As a vegetarian myself, I'd be of the opinion its one day and I'll manage

If you're worried, eat a decent meal before the wedding and take some small snacks in a handbag. But I'd be amazed if there was absolutely no vegetarian options

FFS it’s an afternoon. Just dont eat anything and you will still survive! If food is more important to you than the people then don’t go. If you want to support the people then take some snacks and do t eat anything provided. That’s if they do t cater for vegetarians which is unlikely. I say this as a vegetarian of 35 years.

I can’t think what my DN is thinking

That its their wedding?
And also you’ve no idea that this will even cause an issue! A catering company will be very used to vegetarian requests and will almost certainly have suitable options.

I imagine your DN is thinking the asado looks great as a treat, is within their budget, they think many guests will enjoy the food and there will (very likely) be something the non meat eaters will eat.
Nothing deeper than that really

I imagine the OP doesn’t want to look at or smell great piles if meat or look at the pules of meaty platters.

OP you have a choice. (1) Eat the veggie option and try and ignore the sight and smell of the rest. (2) don’t attend.
Its not your wedding or your choice.

Is the issue that you’ll find the sight and smell of all the meat upsetting? I know my SIL (lifelong vegetarian) is very squeamish about seeing meat, she finds the smell disgusting, so I’m wondering if that’s the issue?

Sadly not much you can do about that, a big bbq just will be smelly! I guess try and stay away from it, consider taking something like a small vial of essential oils in your handbag that you can smell instead?

Asado vegetables are actually absolutely delicious.

I've eaten this in South America, it comes with salad and on one occasion baked potatoes. They were cooked on the same grill but completely wrapped in foil.

I agree with the others, there will be a vegi option and just in case take snacks.

It’s just a form of bbq, they will have a separate smaller grill for veggie options if in the uk, just ensure they are clear about what you do eat, perhaps easier to say vegan for you all as clearer

It’s basically a BBQ. They’ll have a vegetarian grill.

This seems an over the top reaction and looking for problems where there are none. Surely, just ask whether vegetarian options will be available. If not, or if you don’t want them for whatever reason, stick some sandwiches and crackers or whatnot in you handbag and eat that instead.

You need to ask the person organising the catering if there will be vegetarian and vegan options. There are often vegetarian options provided as vegetarianism is fairly common nowadays, but I have been to some events where there aren't any vegan 100 % plant based options as the veggie options usually have dairy in them.

As long as I know beforehand, I make my own arrangements, usually either eating beforehand or leaving early and getting something on the way home, or in some cases, taking my own food. It is slightly more disappointing if it's a long whole day event and you are told something will be offered but then isn't on the day. Check out the caterers reviews in case this happens often with the ones being used. A few emergency cereal bars and an apple or a banana in my bag gets me through those situations.

I don't understand what you feel you need to cope with? Surely you can just go and not eat the meat?

When you RSVP, write your dietary requirements.
we would love to come . We are vegan. Thanks