VfL believe that care caterers who make a special effort to create nutritious vegan or vegetarian meals deserve recognition. With a rising number of older vegans and vegetarians the annual awards recognise those who are pioneering the way in modern care catering.
Amanda Woodvine, chief executive of VfL, 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.”
The VfL 2022 award winners include:
- 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)