Michael Webster reads from the formal document that cements Dame Patsy Reddy as New Zealand's 21st Governor General.

More tofu, Ma'am?

It's unlikely to be a sentence ever uttered to the Queen, such is the low probability she and the Duke of Edinburgh would travel to New Zealand now (Although, one would delight in hearing the gaffe-prone Prince Phillip's reaction in being presented with a polenta square.)

But the fare served at Government House has marched regally with the times.

KEVIN STENT/FAIRFAX NZ. New Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy inspects the Guard of Honour at her swearing-in ceremony.

New Zealand has it's third female and first vegan Governor General in Dame Patsy Reddy, who was sworn in on Wednesday.

READ MORE:

* Hollywood big guns among crowd at swearing in of new Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy

* New Governor-General Patsy Reddy ties the knot with long-term partner

* Explainer: Who is Dame Patsy Reddy, and what will she do as Governor-General?

* Dame Patsy Reddy 'stunned' at Governor-General offer

* Next Governor-General won't be a former politician - John Key

* Who will be New Zealand's next Governor-General?

Dame Patsy, who succeeds Sir Jerry Mateparae, received a general salute from the Royal Guard of Honour, inspected the troops of which she is now Commander-in-Chief, and took the affirmation of allegiance, before receiving a 21-gun salute.

Kristin Lajeunesse This is not what was served at Dame Patsy's private banquet, but vegans can fine-dine with the best of them. Provided they have the right chef on the job. The Government House chefs are no strangers to catering to all sorts of dietary options.

Her first banquet, at Government House that night, was strictly in her honour and no less formal than should be expected for a vice-regal affair.

The menu was completely "plant-based", confirmed a Government House spokeswoman.

Guests began with an Eastern tasting plate, that included shiitake mushroom consomme, karengo and tapioca crackers, steamed buns with miso roasted aubergine and pickled cucumber and crispy fried tofu with lemongrass, chilli and black vinegar.

KEVIN STENT/FAIRFAX NZ. New Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy at her swearing in ceremony.

For the main, chargrilled new-season asparagus was served with Maori potato skordalia, beetroot and sesame felafel and a tahini and baby beetroot salad.

Desert was a citrus syrup cake with date and cacao filo, cupuacu (a tropical rainforest fruit related to cacao), coconut sorbet and petits fours.

Wednesday's banquet was for Dame Patsy's family, close friends and colleagues, however the full gamut of options would be available during any official dinner for foreign and visiting guests.

That was in stark contrast to former Queen's Representative Sir Jerry, whose omnivorous farewell at Parliament began with an entree trio of Aoraki Salmon.

Of the main, guest could either dine on grilled beef fillet or braised eggplant, lentil and kale casserole.

The dessert was a pineapple and passionfruit Eton Mess, all washed down with either a Chard Farm Pinot Noir, a Cloudy Bay Sav or an Ata Rangi Chardonnay.

In actual fact, Government House has been catering for the variety of dieting options available in the 21st century for a number of years.

Government House has four full time chefs and more are called on if needed. There is also a team that spends weeks creating menus when hosting visiting dignitaries.

Great pride is taken in sourcing New Zealand food and wine and experimenting with flavours and dishes.

Vegan Society of New Zealand spokeswoman Claire Insley said it was "exciting" to hear New Zealand had a vegan Governor General.

"It's wonderful that all dietary options are catered for, especially in this day and age. Of course, we find a lot of chefs actually do enjoy the challenge of having to create different options.

"It's just quite exciting to hear we have a vegan Governor General, and I'm sure it will help to bring it into the mainstream."

Insley congratulated Dame Patsy for ascension to the vice-royal office, and for her dietary decisions.