The retail giant want to 'increase the amount of vegetables in people’s diets'

'Soaring demand' led to the new dishes (Photo: Tesco)

Retail giant Tesco has announced that 'soaring' demand for meat-free food has led to it doubling its vegetarian and vegan centrepiece festive food offering this year.

Vegan options will include the Turmeric Spiced Cauliflower Wellington and Pecan and Peanut Roast with maple-roasted carrot and parsnip.

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'Changing times'

As part of its plan to bring more veggie food to consumers, the supermarket recently hired chef Derek Sarno as its Executive Director of Plant Based Innovation.

According to Tesco, Sarno is currently working with suppliers, farmers and chefs on developing exciting new foods that go on sale over the coming year.

Sarno said: "These are changing times and vegetable dishes have now become centrepiece heroes in their own right on dinner tables up and down the country.

"We think that our Portobello Mushroom Wellington is so delicious that it may tempt diners to try something different this Christmas.

"This year, Tesco’s Christmas campaign celebrates the many ways we come together at Christmas, and with the quality of vegetarian and vegan food now so good there may even be squabbles across the dinner table over who gets what."

Demand

Lynne Elliot, Chief Executive of the Vegetarian Society, added:"With demand for vegetarian and meat-free alternatives rising, it’s great to see supermarkets across the UK like Tesco working hard to keep their customers happy and increasing their vegetarian range.

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"Offering customers a better choice is especially welcome at Christmas."

Options

The festive offerings are just part of the retailers plans to increase veg-friendly options.

A spokesperson for the chain added: "Tesco has been catering for the increasing amount of vegan customers throughout the year and is offering its biggest ever range of vegan products.

"It recently increased its range of dairy free cheeses to nine and among the new additions are a melty red Leicester for cheese on toast, Mozzarella to top pizzas, a jalapeno Cheddar, a blue cheese, and Cheddar.

"It has also launched eight new milk free desserts to cater for vegans."

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