EXTRA PORTIONS FOR WINNERS OF

BEST PROVISION FOR VEGGIES AT A VISITOR ATTRACTION

Vegetarian Society Awards 2007

 

The Vegetarian Society is delighted to announce that there are joint winners in the first Best Provision for Veggies at a Visitor Attraction award - one of which is from Cornwall. The joint winners of this new award are The Monkey Sanctuary Trust, Looe, Cornwall and the Quaker Tapestry Exhibition Centre & Tearooms, Kendal, Cumbria.

The award set out to find out which visitor attraction, museum, theme park, art gallery or country-house, went out of its way to cater for veggies giving them a great veggie food experience. Often vegetarian consumers visit an attraction’s restaurant/café hoping against hope that there will be more than a curly cheese sandwich or chips. This award is all about celebrating those venues which really understand how to cater for all their customers.

The winners were chosen from the following shortlist compiled after the Society’s members and the general public voted:

Nicki Garner, Co-Manager of the Monkey Sanctuary said, ‘We are all really chuffed to have won the award and that the judges said we stood out with our great food. I'd like to thank all the team, Brooke, (co-manager and co-devisor of the menu), Helen (scone maker extraordinaire), Ellie, (brownie queen), Lorna(our re-cycling guru) and all the volunteers who have done such a great job over the summer season and contributed in making the cafe the success that it is and also to all the team at the monkey sanctuary for their continued support. The whole menu was devised to use local and organic produce as much as possible and to try and educate people into seeing that vegetarian food can be exciting and tasty and to break down some of the stereotypes out there. "

Su Taylor, spokesperson for The Vegetarian Society said: “Judges looked at a variety of criteria from the general ambience, taste and value for money, through to more specific vegetarian issues such as accurate information, range of foods, vegan choices and whether the staff were helpful and informative. Congratulations to the winners – it’s great to find that there are visitor attractions in the UK setting high and delicious standards for vegetarian provision.”

The Vegetarian Society’s Awards are highly regarded in the food and drinks industry. They promote best practice among caterers, manufacturers and retailers, and highlight the importance of integrity in the vegetarian market place.

EDITORS NOTES

• For further information/interviews please contact Su Taylor in the Press Office on 0161 925 2000 or email press@vegsoc.org Outside office hours The Vegetarian Society Press Office can be contacted on 07973 108 165/ 7.
Alternatively visit the website for lots more information at www.vegsoc.org

• For further information on the Monkey Sanctuary Trust, Looe please contact Nikki or Pippa on The Monkey Sanctuary 01503 262532 or check out the website www.monkeysanctuary.org

• The Monkey Sanctuary would like to thank their suppliers - Gina, Martin and Lambrini at Keveral Farm, Frank Mann, Barnecutts, all at Blakes, Hawkridge dairies and Trewithen Farm with their happy cows.

• The Vegetarian Society defines a vegetarian as a person who eats no meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish or crustacea. Vegetarians also avoid the by-products of slaughter such as gelatine or animal rennet in cheese. The Society only approves products containing eggs when they are free-range.

• Annette Pinner, Chief Executive of The Vegetarian Society will be presenting the award to the Monkey Sanctuary Trust, Looe at 10am on the 19 November 2007.