Brazilian Chefโฃ Declines Royal Invitation Over Vegan-Only Menu Request
A โคBrazilian chef has โขrefused too cater a dinner for Prince william, citing a requestโ for a โentirely plant-based menu as illogical and a rejection of โlocal cuisine. Chef Jenning was slated โto prepare a meal for the eve of the Earthshot Prize ceremony, an environmental award founded by the Prince, โset โto take place this Wednesday with 700 guests including โขthe royal family.
Jenning had envisioned showcasing Amazonian fish and other traditional ingredients, but withdrew after receiving instructions to serve only vegan dishes – excluding all animal products, including meat, milk, and cheese.
According to Brazilian newspaper O Globo, it remains unclear whether the vegan requirement originated directly from Prince William. Theโข chef previously cateredโค a banquet โฃfor the coronation of King Charles in 2023, where dishes featuring duck, fish, and lamb were well-received.
“The British come from the land of fishโ and chips โand now they โขdon’t eat fish? That decision is poorly received,” Jenning told O Globo.โค He was speedy to clarify he holds no animosity towards veganism, noting that one of hisโค restaurants was among the first in the region to offer vegetarian options -โค which do โฃ include dairy andโฃ eggs.
Jenning expressed frustration at being asked โฃto create a menu โcelebrating local flavors while being restricted from using key regional ingredients. He believes a prejudice โคagainst Amazonian cuisine is at play. “In my opinion,โ they are afraid and โhave a certain prejudice against ourโ food. Sometimes it’sโ not even because โsomeone is vegan, it’s just concern,” he stated.
He emphasized โขhis position is not critical โขof the vegan community, stating, “I’mโฃ just not in favor ofโ exclusion.”