While the managed pub giant has offered vegetarian and vegan options for some time, several dishes have recently been tweaked and a one-page menu aimed at meat-free and vegan customers designed, a JDW spokesman told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser (PMA).
The main menu will still be at the bar and on tables, while the vegetarian/vegan menu is located by the condiments in addition to the main menu, the spokesman added.
Dishes on the menu for vegans and vegetarians include pasta pomodoro; vegetable samosas; jacket potatoes with a side salad and baked beans; large onion bhajis and sweet potato; and chickpea and spinach curry.
'Can be made vegan'
Vegan dishes:
- Pasta pomodoro
- Vegetable samosas
- Jacket potatoes with a side salad and baked beans
- Large onion bhajis and sweet potato
- Chickpea and spinach curry
- Other dishes can be tailored too
A PETA spokeswoman said: "The new list also features still more delicious possibilities that can be made vegan with a simple modification – helpfully supplied with the menu – including nachos (hold the cheese and sour cream) mini corn on the cob (ask for it without butter) and a side salad (ask for it without creamy dressing)."
Praise from the animal welfare organisation follows JDW's announcement to stop serving Sunday roasts, the last of which were served on 6 March.
JDW's spokesman said the decision made to remove roast dinners from the menu was because the pub company wanted to concentrate on its core menu.
A Sunday brunch, while not a direct replacement, would feature on the menu and other 'food clubs' would continue as normal.
Vegan food expert
Last year, a vegan food expert told the PMA pubs had to work harder to cater for vegan customers and claimed most pubs could not be trusted to serve 100% vegan food.
VegFest vegan events organiser Tom Barford told the PMA most chefs were lacking the basic knowledge to prepare truly vegan food and, therefore, were likely to be missing out on food sales.
He said: "I wouldn't eat in many pubs with a vegan option, mainly because of the chefs' lack of understanding about cross-contamination, but also because many vegan options are not nutritionally balanced."
Although about only 2% of the UK population is vegan, interest in vegan and vegetarian food in the eating-out sector is growing, according to data from the PMA's sister title MCA.