| Ingredient | Qty / portion | Unit | Price / unit (€) | Cost (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegan Canapés (bruschetta, blinis, stuffed mushrooms) | kg | — | ||
| Starter (pea & mint velouté or roasted beet salad) | kg | — | ||
| Main (mushroom Wellington or cauliflower steak) | kg | — | ||
| Vegan Sauce (mushroom jus or roasted pepper coulis) | liter | — | ||
| Side Dishes (roasted veg, spiced lentils, pommes) | kg | — | ||
| Vegan Dessert (dark chocolate mousse or mango sorbet) | kg | — |
Professional Tips for Accurate Costing
- Jackfruit, cauliflower steaks and portobello mushrooms make visually impressive centrepiece mains at a fraction of meat costs.
- Cashew-based creams replace dairy beautifully in sauces, risottos and desserts (check for nut allergies first).
- Aquafaba (chickpea water) replaces egg white in mousses and meringues at zero extra cost.
- Price vegan menus at 80–90% of your standard menu price — the presentation and skill level justify it.
- Legume-based dishes (lentil dal, chickpea tagine, white bean cassoulet) are protein-rich, visually generous and very cost-effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically 15–30% cheaper on raw ingredient costs, but may require more skilled preparation and higher-quality plant-based products to achieve the same perceived value. A premium vegan menu can and should be priced at 80–95% of a standard menu price.
Replace eggs with flaxseed meal or aquafaba, butter with plant-based butter, and milk with oat or almond milk. Most cake recipes translate well. Vegan fondant is widely available. Budget 20–30% more than standard cake costs.
Top performing vegan mains: mushroom Wellington (dramatic and impressive), roasted cauliflower with spiced lentils, seitan medallions, stuffed butternut squash and pan-seared polenta with ragu of roasted vegetables.
Offer the same number of courses to all guests. Mark vegan dishes clearly. Consider serving the same starter and dessert to all guests (make them vegan), with different mains — this simplifies service and reduces preparation complexity.