Plant-based food can be a revelation!

Vegan pizza

Penny Bunting looks at Derbyshire cafes and restaurants offering a wide range of vegan and vegetarian options

IN THE UK, the demand for meat-free food is growing rapidly. According to the Vegan Society, the number of vegans in Great Britain quadrupled between 2014 and 2018 – and it’s predicted that by 2025 around a quarter of the British population will be vegan or vegetarian. Meat-eaters are reducing their consumption of meat too, with many of us choosing regular vegetarian meals for a number of reasons – from improving health, to concerns about environmental issues or animal welfare. This new demand for plant-based food has been reflected in restaurants and takeaways, with orders of vegan meals increasing by 388% between 2016 and 2018.