Remember the days when ordering a vegetarian meal meant you’d be served a sad pile of wilting vegetables? At events, vegetarian guests could look forward to little more than a pitiful plate of cucumber sandwiches.
Thankfully, those days are gone. Chefs now recognise vegetables as much more than a side dish and are creating fresh flavours that will make anyone’s taste buds tingle – even the most hardcore carnivores.
Nowhere is this change more noticeable than at events, parties and corporate functions. Meat-free guests are finally able to enjoy fresh, tasty delights that vegetarian catering Melbourne firms have to offer.
And it’s not just events. At Your Private Chef, we’re happy to report that families are enjoying the quality of vegetarian catering Melbourne has been waiting for.
If you or a member of your family is a vegetarian, or has certain food allergies and intolerance, a private chef is a powerful yet simple way to maintain the healthy diet your body needs. The chefs at Your Private Chef have a whole smorgasbord of knowledge about vegetarian and vegan catering, as well as common food allergies such as gluten free or lactose. But we don’t just talk the talk – we serve up this knowledge in the form of delicious customised menus so you’re free to embrace food heaven.
Dietary requirements in meals
Following a special diet? Got food allergies and intolerances? You’re not alone. Surveys indicate that up to 25% of the population believe they have some sort of food intolerance – that’s one in every four people! Some will have had these intolerances since childhood, whereas many develop them later in life or are told to radically change their diets as a result of health issues.
We can’t focus on all the food intolerances and allergies here – trust us, there are hundreds! But here are a few of the most common in Australia:
Coeliac disease: Caused by an allergy to gluten, the disease destroys the finger-like microscopic villi that line the small intestine. Gluten is a protein found in en is a protein found in
- Wheat (including spelt)
- Rye
- Barley
- Oats
Coeliac disease has become the most well known autoimmune disease because so many people have developed gluten sensitivities – in fact it affects around 1 in 100 Australians!
You only have to look at the amount of gluten-free products on supermarket shelves to know that this is becoming more mainstream. Some people also choose to follow a gluten free lifestyle as it can provide some health benefits. Check out the Coeliac Australia website for heaps of information and advice.
Lactose Intolerance: Caused by a shortage of enzymes to digest the lactose in foods such as milk and cheese, and ensure lactose is absorbed properly into the bloodstream.
Sulphites: These are preservatives commonly found in wine and dried fruit. When you look at the ingredient label on food items, the additive numbers for Sulphites are 220-228. For some people, sulphite reactions can cause asthma, rashes, irritable bowel syndrome and headaches.
“What’s for dinner” can be an overwhelming question when you’re dealing with multiple special dietary requirements and a hungry family. The task of making dietary requirements meals can be tough – learning about nutrition, finding recipes, traipsing from supermarket to specialty stores to source the right ingredients…phew!
But there’s no need for it to become a full-time job. Tell us your special requirements and Your Private Chef can customise fresh and ready-to-eat meals delivered to your door. And when it comes to special occasions, you can be sure we will cater for any special food requirements you or your guests might have.
