Parmesan is not Suitable for Veggies

I just been reading an article in the Guardian by Ali Schofield about how she did not realise until recently that Parmesan cannot be vegetarian.  As it is made with Cows Stomach and has a legally protected ingredient list which cannot be changed.

She also points out that many restaurants, vegetarian recipe books and famous chefs have been using Parmesan in their food for vegetarians.  Famous names include Delia Smith, Raymond Blanc who admitted serving it in his restaurant Le Manoir and labelling it suitable for vegetarians,   Hugh Fernley Whittingstall (he has reformed now since he researched veggie food properly in his TV show River Cottage Veg).

The good news is that soon any restaurants that serve vegetarian food will have to do it right or have potential legal action against them.

Parmesan is not vegetarian, however there is a similar hard cheese that many people use that is vegetarian,  they cannot call it Parmesan as this is protected,  but they can call it a Parmesan Alternative that is suitable for vegetarians.

I find it impossible to eat in restaurants that are not purely veggie,  due to the amount of times i have been served non veggie wine,  non veggie stock, non veggie cheese.   The list is endless.  I will only eat food from veggie restaurants as you would hope that they know their stuff,  also they offer something a bit more inventive that a vegetable lasagne or vegetarian bake.  Check out some of my restaurant reviews,  I have tried quite a few in London.

One annoying thing about some vegetarian restaurants is that they do label some dishes with Parmesan,  whenever I have asked the question and point out that that cannot be vegetarian, it has been discovered that they are using a Parmesan Style Cheese.    The Gate Vegetarian Restaurant in Hammersmith do this and no matter how many times I complain they do not change the menu,  but they do use vegetarian alternative cheese.  They are Vegetarian Society Approved, you would think that they would tell them off and get them to label it correctly.  I will contact the Vegetarian Society and ask them what they are doing with this issue.  The Gate are not the only veggie restaurant doing this.  I think it just adds confusion.

I am a vegan but it still drives me insane when I see Parmesan and Vegetarian together.

Here is a link to the original article on the Guardians Web Page NO Parmesan Please we are Vegetarian