How vegan restaurants ensure high food quality

The number of vegans in Germany has been rising steadily for several years. According to statistics, there were around 1.52 million in 2023. Given this considerable number, it is understandable that there are now a number of vegan restaurants. Especially as non-vegans are also becoming increasingly open to vegan cuisine. However, these restaurants face a major challenge. They have to offer delicious dishes and ensure that all vegan food is of high quality. In this case, quality also refers to the origin, as the production of the food must not be linked to animal suffering. So what can vegan restaurants do to guarantee this?

Growing your own food

One of the most effective ways to ensure high food quality is to grow your own food such as vegetables, grains, herbs, fruit and mushrooms. Basically, all you need is the necessary indoor and/or outdoor space. Many of the foods mentioned can be processed further if required. For example, it is possible to turn fruit into healthy and delicious dried fruit using a dehydrator. In any case, cultivation should be as natural as possible. This also means that pesticides or similar chemicals are taboo.

Covert quality controls

Trust is good, but control is known to be better. Vegan restaurants that attach great importance to the quality of their food and want to be 100% sure that they are in no way associated with animal suffering cannot avoid occasional inspections. At best, these inspections should be carried out undercover so that suppliers or other partners cannot prepare for them. Detectives can be deployed for such quality controls. Private detectives know exactly how to conduct undercover investigations and bring usable evidence to light. There are many private detectives who are happy to take on this type of investigative assignment. You will find vegan restaurants mainly in larger cities. One of the most experienced contact points in Germany is this detective agency in Hamburg. It has been active since 1995 and is TÜV-certified.

Partnerships with certified suppliers

Not all suppliers are equally trustworthy and it is not uncommon for false promises to be made. To avoid ending up with dishes that do not comply with vegan principles, it is best for vegan restaurants to work exclusively with certified suppliers. One certificate that has been used worldwide for several years is the so-called V-label. The V-label is a potential indicator for identifying suppliers that are guaranteed to sell vegan products without animal ingredients. Other recognised certificates are organic, Demeter and Fair Trade, but they do not relate exclusively to vegan food. Differentiation is therefore necessary.

Training of employees

Employees must be prepared to follow the ethical principles of the restaurant. This includes, among other things, that they are aware of the importance of food quality. In addition to the mandatory training in food businesses, it makes sense to provide further training specifically aimed at the operation of vegan restaurants. Trained employees ensure, for example, that the philosophy behind the menu is adhered to at all times. This does not always require a certain level of expertise, but at least occasionally.