World Vegan Day

What does this have to do with a pizza raclette grill ?

Nov 1, 20220 comments

World Vegan Day

World Vegan Day on November 1st is an international event that aims to highlight the benefits of a meat-free lifestyle . We'll show you an insight and the background to World Vegan Day as well as a delicious pizza recipe with vegan bacon cubes.

Let's start with the story:

Meatless nutrition , or meatless eating, can be traced back to ancient times. As early as 570 to 500 BC, the Greek philosopher Pythagoras was convinced that animal sacrifices and the consumption of meat, which were typical of the time, should be renounced. And the philosopher was not alone in his attitude. The Orphics, a religious community around 600 BC, also rejected meat consumption.

The Orphics , who believed in the rebirth of the animal soul, were probably the first vegans who completely abstained from eating and using animal products. The use of wool and leather was also avoided. However, the beginnings of veganism were not based on ethical considerations, but were determined by religion.

Why is there Vegan Day?

World Vegan Day is intended to draw attention to the positive health and environmental aspects of vegetarianism and to motivate people to live vegan for at least this day .

The vegetarian lifestyle is specifically characterized by avoiding meat consumption. They also want to support the reduction of global meat production and thus counteract the savings in high water consumption and the reduction of high greenhouse gas emissions.

The day also contributes to the topic of vegetarianism being discussed in the media.

We Swiss love vegetables

And that's not just said. In Switzerland alone , the number of people following a vegetarian or vegan diet is increasing from year to year. More and more Swiss people are switching to a meat-free diet .

In 2021, the proportion of vegetarians in Switzerland was around four percent of the total population , while the proportion of vegans has doubled since last year, currently at 0.6 percent. According to a survey with respondents from across German-speaking countries, a total of 12 percent said they followed a vegetarian diet in 2021 .

In a country comparison from 2020 , Switzerland had the highest proportion of vegetarians compared to other European countries.

Forms of vegetarians & vegans

Do vegetarians eat fish and eggs?

That depends on which of the four different forms of vegetarianism you follow. There are also some special forms.

Ovo-lacto vegetarians: Avoid meat, fish and seafood, but eat milk and eggs.
Ovo-vegetarians: In addition to meat, fish and seafood, they also avoid milk and dairy products. The only animal product they eat is eggs.
Lacto-vegetarians: In addition to meat, fish and seafood, they also avoid eggs. They eat milk and dairy products.
Vegans: Avoid any animal products. They do not eat meat, fish, seafood, milk, dairy products, eggs or honey.
Flexitarians: They are also known as “flexible vegetarians”. Basically, they eat everything, but follow a vegetarian lifestyle and only occasionally consume meat or fish. Quality plays an important role. Organic, species-appropriate animal husbandry are fundamental attributes.
Pescatarians: They avoid meat. But eat fish, eggs, milk and dairy products.
“Plant based”: Another form of nutrition is the so-called “plant based” diet, i.e. plant-based food. A plant-based diet consists primarily of foods of plant origin. In contrast to a strictly vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, a plant-based diet can also include products such as milk, eggs, fish or meat in small quantities on the menu.
Fruitarian: A very strict form of vegetarianism. Only plants/plant parts that do not “die” during harvest are eaten. For example, most fruits and nuts are allowed, but carrots or potatoes, for example, are avoided. The most radical interpretation even allows eating only the fruits and nuts that fall from the tree on their own.
Raw foodist: Eat 100 percent raw food. The rule is that the food must not be heated above 42 degrees Celsius. Sprouted, dried or fermented foods are also permitted. Raw foodists do not always follow a vegan diet; there are also vegetarian or omnivorous forms in the raw food movement.

The project:

PIZZA/RACLETTE GRILL 4-in-1 from KOENIG

The start-up company Outlawz Food is a passionate vegan bunch who have made it their mission to breathe new life into not only their own scene, but the entire gastronomy industry.

It all started with a small food truck in Bern.

The start-up company now serves numerous catering projects such as Lil Radish, BakeryBakery, Kebabo and the online shop Food at Home.

In collaboration with Tavora AG various vegan products on the new pizza raclette grill from the KOENIG brand prepared and tasted.

The result? ... Vegan also fits the theme "Cooking at the table" and becomes socially acceptable.