Damson MediaCity Celebrates National Vegetarian Week

Bespoke vegetarian tasting menu ‘as good as the carnivore version’ created especially for National Vegetarian Week at Damson MediaCityUK, 19^th – 25^th May.

“a completely vegetarian, a la carte tasting menu as good as the carnivore version”

It’s widely known that the Vegetarian Society HQ is based, and was founded in, Altrincham. Its not so well known that the first declaration of giving up meat as a community happened at Christchuch Chapel in Salford’s King Street (just a stone’s throw from Damson’s MediaCityUK site) by a Reverend William Cowherd in 1807.

The Reverend’s initial perspective was that eating meat was sinful, and this alongside health concerns about the questionable cuts of meat available to the poor, led to more people turning their backs on killing animals for food. His followers became known as Cowherdites and it was this movement that eventually led to the formation of the Vegetarian Society in 1847.

Now, more than 160 years later, and to celebrate National Vegetarian Week, Steve Pilling of Damson Restaurants has challenged his chefs to create a completely vegetarian, a la carte tasting menu that is equal in all but name to its carnivorous counterpart.

The Veg Soc’s National Vegetarian Week is all about celebrating a meat-free lifestyle, and as part of this the Society challenge consumers to ‘enjoy a week of deliciously vibrant meat-free food’.

The Damson vegetarian tasting menu is designed to be an outstanding example of just how good meat free dining can be – whether you’re a veggie, taking the Veg Soc challenge, or just because it sounds so darn good (and with not a goats cheese tart in sight!).

Damson staff have been so inspired by the menu that 3 of the team have taken the National Veggie Week Challenge for themselves and will be giving up meat for a week.

Damson’s National Vegetarian Week Tasting Menu is available from 19^th – 25^th May at both the MediaCityUK and Heaton Moor sites. Its just £30 for 6 courses!

Available Monday – Friday for lunch and dinner.

Steve Pilling, Proprietor of Damson Restaurants commented:

“At Damson, we’re simply about good food – and that doesn’t have to mean meat, even though we’re known for our relationships with some of the finest meat and poultry suppliers in the region. I was just really inspired when I heard about the birth of vegetarianism here in Salford, and as an ex-greengrocer the vegetarian movement has always been quite close to my heart. Even though I’m not a veggie, I do go for quality rather than quantity, and I for one am taking the Veg Soc Meat Free Challenge.”

THE MENU

A tasting of Damson’s seasonal, vegetable soup

Pearl barley & nettle risotto, wild garlic & Old Winchester crisps

Black olive tuile, tomato mousse, goats cheese & pesto

Miso Aubergine, spring greens, chilli & hazelnut dressing

Elderflower Syllabub, cucumber sorbet, raspberries & Pimms caviar

A selection of 3 English & French artisan cheeses from the cheeseboard, traditional accompaniments, walnut & raisin bread

Please note this some dishes are subject to change

An inspired wine flight is available with this menu – all from biodynamic wineries.