If you’re a vegan cook having omni guests over for Thanksgiving, it can be a bit worrisome to wonder if they’re going to pre-judge the food before they’ve even walked in the door. For omnivores traversing the path of a vegan-only meal for the first time, dining with vegans — especially for a big holiday like Thanksgiving –- can provoke feelings of trepidation. They may be asking: “What on earth are they going to feed us? How’s it going to taste? Will I starve?” You as the vegan host want everyone to have a good time and enjoy the delicious food, so, here are a few tips for making sure that happens.
- Ask guests about food restrictions or dietary preferences. Just as you’d want them to be aware of your special needs, be sure to ask them about theirs.
- Make dishes you KNOW omnis will find delicious and enjoyable. You can’t please everyone’s palate, but a special day like Thanksgiving is not the time to experiment with something new.
- Consider providing a faux turkey entree AND other entrees. Tofurky and other faux meats are often either love ‘em or hate ‘em kinds of foods; don’t assume that your omni guests will find them as tantalizing as you do. However, if your omni friends have a major attachment to a turkey as the center point of the holiday, they may be pleasantly surprised to try one of the faux options.
- Be sure to include some traditional favorites. If your omni guests find some of the foods that they’re “used to” at your Thanksgiving feast (mashed potatoes, pies, cranberry something or other, etc.), it may help them to feel more relaxed about trying vegan dishes.
- Spend some time on the ambiance. You don’t have to create a centerpiece reproduction of the “First Thanksgiving” a la Martha Stewart, but some natural decorations that evoke thoughts of harvest, and a well-laid table can show them you’re serious about having a good time.
- Refrain from comments about people who are serving animals and/or their products for Thanksgiving (“Thank you, Creator, that we can all come together and not have to endure looking at some poor tortured creature.”) Make your omni guests feel just as welcomed and appreciated as your veg friends.
- Relax. If you’ve done your best to provide tasty food and a good time, the rest is up to them.
~ Marsha
Filed under: food and diet, holidays, veganism | Tagged: food and diet, guests, holidays, Thanksgiving, veganism
