Vegan catering by Gourmet Foods

Discover the vibrant world of plant-based cuisine with Gourmet Foods’ exceptional vegan catering services. We take pride in crafting flavourful, nutritious dishes that cater to diverse dietary preferences, offering a delectable culinary experience for everyone, regardless of their dietary choices.

Vegan food

Overall, the approach to modern vegan catering is a celebration of creativity, sustainability and culinary excellence in the realm of plant-based cuisine. It involves reimagining traditional dishes and current trends with plant-based ingredients using innovative cooking techniques to give vegan food the recognition it deserves. The finished product should give the same level of quality to those who choose or require a different lifestyle when it comes to their diet.

Vegan food does not mean “flavourless”. It simply means it has different potential as a dish and requires a different approach. Innovative techniques such as sous vide cooking, molecular gastronomy and fermentation are utilised to create unique and memorable dishes that challenge traditional notions of vegan cuisine. Gourmet Foods prides itself on delivering flavours that leave a lasting impression and menus that read with mouth-watering anticipation. Our recipes are meticulously crafted to be as colourful and flavourful as possible while delivering an exceptionally different dining experience, which all can enjoy.

The real challenge when it comes to recipe and menu design for any dietary specific food is to leave room for customisation, meaning any further dietary requirements or allergens can be catered for while maintaining a balance of nutrient-rich food in the same excitable manner.

Vegan menu options at Gourmet Foods

Gourmet Foods offers a diverse collection of menu options. Below are just a few examples of what we can offer. (gf) marks options that are gluten free.

Vegan finger buffet items

• Tarts with Hummus, Mange Tout and Tomato
• Potato Skins with Three Bean Chilli
• Plant-Based Persian Kofta with Chilli Dip
• Sushi Rolls with Ginger and Soy Sauce
• Bruschetta with Fig, Pinenut and Vegan Cream Cheese
• Bruschetta with Smashed White Bean, Pickled Red Onion with Pomegranate Seeds

Vegan sandwich selection

• Avocado, Tomato Chutney and Spinach
• Spiced Carrot Chutney, Falafel and Rocket
• Mediterranean Vegetables, Hummus and Pumpkin Seed
• Vegan Feta, Beetroot Chutney and Mint

Vegan sweets

• Chocolate and Beetroot Brownie
• Pistachio and Lemon Sandwich Cake
• Mocha Frosted Sponge Cake
• Chocolate Orange Fudge Pots
• Raspberry Meringue Kisses

Vegan canapés

• Mushroom Pate with Fresh Thyme on Rye Bread
• Cherry Tomatoes with Vegan Feta and Pesto (gf)
• Persian Spiced Koftas with Coconut, Yoghurt and Mint Dip
• Trio of Melon Skewers (gf)
• Chargrilled Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers (gf)

Vegan starters

• Spiced Parsnip and Apple Soup with Coconut Yoghurt and Parsnip Crisps (gf)
• Woodland Mushroom and Thyme Soup with Truffle Oil (gf)
• Avocado, Lime and Pomegranate Crostini with Herb Oil Drizzle and Chilli Flakes
• Ale, Mustard and Leek Rarebit Served on Toasted Sourdough with Watercress and Cayenne

Vegan mains

• Cauliflower Steak Smoked with a Miso Glaze, Served with a Chilli, Ginger and Quinoa Croquette, Mango, Lime and Coriander Salsa, Sesame Courgettes, Kimchi, Ponzu Dressing and Crispy Seaweed
• Moroccan Jackfruit Stew, Served with Lemon and Herb Couscous, Toasted Almonds, Mint and Pomegranate Seeds
• Portobello Mushroom Filled with a Puy Lentil and Mushroom Duxelle with Grilled Asparagus, Crushed Jersey Royal Potatoes and a Thyme Jus (gf)

Vegan desserts

• Chocolate Orange Brownie, Served with Whipped Vegan Cream, Orange and Ginger Marmalade and Mint
• Raspberries, Strawberries and Blueberries, Served In-between Layers of Crunchy Meringue and Tangy Fruit Coulis (gf)
• Maple and Dark Chocolate Marquise Topped with Oreos, Pretzels and Ginger

Gourmet Foods offer much more within the above categories with options for sharing platters, sharing plates and side dishes available.

If you’d like to see more Vegan menu options, please have a look at our Vegan Finger Buffet Menu or Vegan Lunch and Dinner Menu.

How we manage multiple dietary requirements at large-scale events

The first step to ensuring the management of dietary requirements is handled correctly at any event is to obtain all dietary requirements for every guest that is attending. We ask the event organiser to gather any information regarding allergies, intolerances and dietary preferences for every individual attending. Following this crucial step, the following strategies are also implemented.

Clear labelling for dietary transparency

All food is clearly labelled from preparation to presentation at the final stage ensuring that any vegan food can be clearly identified. Responsibility in traceability brings absolute clarity to every ingredient within the food.

Separation areas

• All food for a specific dietary requirement is prepared by a designated chef in a designated area of the kitchen to ensure the prevention of cross-contamination.
• All food for a specific dietary requirement is presented at the event, separate to any other food group. For example, vegan catering would have its own section at an event.

Ensuring safety for guests with allergies and food sensitivities

• Staff training is part of our work culture, and every member of our team is well-trained on food allergies, cross-contamination prevention, and the importance of following strict preparation and service procedures both in the kitchen and at the event.
• For sit-down meals, allocated staff will be responsible for preparing and serving the food for a specific dietary requirement. For example, a gluten-free dish will be prepared in a gluten-free area by a chef who will not deal with any gluten-containing ingredients at the event and then served by itself by a dedicated member of the team who will be handling gluten-free dishes only. This member of the team will seek out the person for whom the dish is intended. These procedures ensure that there is no mix-up at any point in the process.

On the day of the event, all staff will be briefed before preparation or service begins, highlighting every person’s role for the day. Once service has begun, a member of our team will be available to answer any queries about ingredients, preparations, or potential allergens in the dishes being served.

Vegan products and ingredients

When choosing products and ingredients, we only partner with trusted suppliers. They typically offer higher quality that is fresh and free from contaminants or additives. They prioritise ethical practices, sustainability, and fair-trade principles that support the vegan ethos of compassion for animals, people, and the environment.

They adhere to strict standards and regulations for food safety, meaning their vegan products are handled and stored correctly. This, combined with their passion for delivering truly fresh ingredients, helps maintain consistency in the quality and taste of our vegan dishes, ensuring that we meet the same standards and specifications every time.

Overall, using trusted suppliers for vegan products and ingredients is essential for ensuring quality, safety, transparency, and consistency in the production and consumption of plant-based foods.

Is there a difference between home-made vegan food and vegan food from a caterer?

We pride ourselves on being experts in catering. With a broad range of culinary training and a wealth of experience in creating diverse dishes across a multitude of cuisines, we aim to use our thirst for innovation, knowledge, passion, and determination to deliver that step above home-made food.

Home-cooked vegan food often focuses on taste and comfort, neglecting the overall presentation of the dish. It is our delight to bring these qualities to the table through a dish that is also visually appealing through expert presentation and intricate plating.

A homely kitchen is not a caterer’s kitchen. Being confined to a domestic kitchen limits the possibilities. Through specialist ingredients and tools not often found in a home environment, we are able to create unique dishes that can inspire even a well-seasoned home cook to push their own knowledge and capabilities.

‘Trial and error’ is not something one can typically afford to do when considering both the cost and time required. Our kitchen is a canvas for food creativity and innovation, allowing us to push the boundaries by experimenting with new flavours, textures, and cooking techniques to create memorable and inventive dishes that go beyond typical home-cooked meals.

Our job as a caterer is to elevate your overall dining experience from home-cooked to something else—something that delivers expertise, scale, presentation, variety, and the ability to customise a menu for your guests’ requirements while maintaining the integrity of the ethos surrounding vegan food.

If you would like to find out more about our vegan catering options and practices, or you have an event you would like to talk with us about, then please visit the link below and get in touch.