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Bar-restaurant - and gin distillery - Bealim House has added even more to its offerings with the introduction of a new vegan menu.

In a move guaranteed to raise the spirits of the increasing numbers of diners looking for non-meat options, the Newcastle venue is offering a showcase to one of its chefs whose creations are already proving a hit.

Cheryl Marie is a vegan chef who has been working at Bealim House, part of the Vaulkhard Group, for nearly four years, during which time she herself has turned from vegetarian to vegan.

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And now she is whetting the appetite of others, after head chef David Blackhall offered her the opportunity to pitch a vegan menu to the management team.

After a "cook-off" which saw all her suggested dishes given a trial, Cheryl was invited to launch the new menu and it's currently going down a treat.

Besides a launch of a vegan "mains" section, meat-free dishes that are being integrated into the main menu too and a new vegan sharing platter is proving hugely popular; fast-becoming the most requested dish on the whole menu.

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With plans to change her menu seasonally, Cheryl is already planning ahead for autumn.

She said: "I have a real passion for food and I enjoy eating out.

"I know what good food tastes like and I strive to make delicious new dishes - they just happen to be vegan."

She said the Bealim have been very supportive, not least in drawing up distinct vegan zones in the kitchen.

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The vegan dishes take inspiration from food from around the world with dishes influenced by Asian, Europe and English cuisine.



David Blackhall said: "Initially I needed a lot of convincing.

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"Ethically I understood Cheryl’s views on animal free foods from both a health and environmental perspective but I also needed to see the direct business benefits of introducing a vegan menu. "

He added: "After researching the growth of vegan and vegetarianism in the UK I realised that this is not a passing trend and as a restaurant we needed to support Cheryl and get behind the movement.

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"We’re delighted with the new menu, which is both ethical and delicious!”

Among the vegan dishes currently on offer to customers over the summer are onion bhaji burger; pulled jack fruit Bao Buns; spiced avocado smash and vegan fish and chips.