Vegetarian for Life (VfL) has announced the winners of its 2022 Awards for Excellence in Vegetarian and Vegan Care Catering – and Karin the founder of VeggieVision TV was delighted to present the awards with Amanda Woodvine the charities CEO.
14 rising stars in vegetarian and vegan care catering were honoured in a ceremony held in the Houses of Parliament.
First launched in 2016, the Annual Awards highlight the importance of catering well for older vegetarians and vegans. We recently surveyed 1,000 care homes to find out how many residents are vegan or vegetarian. Since the survey was last commissioned in 2014, the number of vegans in residential care has increased by a whopping 167%!
With growing numbers of vegetarians being supported by the care sector, it is no surprise that news of the awards has been positively received by care organisations. Articles about the awards have been published by the NACC, Care Home Catering, Hospitality Assured and more.
From Veggie Care Chef of the Year to Veggie Wholesaler of the Year, the charity’s 2022 awards proved to be its biggest yet, with a fifth award category introduced to specifically recognise hospital catering teams.
The awards ceremony commenced with inspiring talks and workshops illustrating how those working in the sector could ‘Go from Good to Great’ with activities, with love for food, and with Vegetarian for Life.
Reflecting on her 20 years as a vegan in her keynote address, VfL Chief Executive, Amanda Woodvine commented: “Vegans and vegetarians in care homes certainly existed back in those early days. I remember being told by one care caterer that he had to buy veggie alternatives in with his family’s food shopping and claim the money back – because there was simply nothing available from the care home’s wholesalers.
“Fast forward to today and the difference is staggering. Supermarkets sell a variety of plant based milks, meat alternatives, vegan cheeses, cookies, and even cakes and pastries. And I’m so pleased that wholesalers have followed suit. We were over the moon when the first entirely vegan product catalogues launched.”
This year’s winners were:
Veggie Care Chef of the Year
- Bettina Martin, Gibraltar Nursing Home (Evolve Care Group)
Veggie Wholesaler of the Year
- Bidfood
Hospital Caterer of the Year
- East Lancashire Hospital Trust
Most Innovative Veggie Dish
- Philip Meyer, Rivermede Court (Cinnamon Care) – for his filled cabbage leaf with a pepper purée, and soya milk pannacotta with a kiwi lime layer and vegan cinnamon shortbread.
The Beulah Charity Trust Special Recognition Award
- The Catering Team, Garden City Court (Quantum Care)
Karin of VeggieVision TV and MAD promotions adds;
“This is the most important work in the vegan world today. Respecting the values and beliefs of the true pioneers who now may need support, some who may not have eaten meat for longer than we have been alive! And as more and more people go vegan we must make sure that care homes and hospitals are more prepared to understand and cater for us. Thank you to all of the VfL team for their amazing work and congratulations to this years winners for being pioneers themselves. “
Click here for more information on Vegetarian for Life, the awards, and previous winners.
