Rounding up the latest plant based food, health and product news

Michelin-Starred Restaurant Launches New Menu Full of Vegan Dishes

London-based Michelin-starred restaurant Benares is known for its quality Indian cuisine, but now the restaurant is introducing a brand new menu that is predominantly vegan. The restaurant, located in Mayfair, is renowned as one of the best the UK’s capital has to offer, with the first Indian chef ever to receive a Michelin star — Atul Kochhar — at the helm.

The new dishes will each be designed by one of the chefs in the Benares kitchen, taking inspiration from street food from that individual’s hometown. Ranging from across India, this will give the menu (that is to be designed as a map to show where each dish comes from) an authentic twist, with each of the chef’s using varying methods and techniques.

Speaking about the new food options, Kochhar explained: “Our talented kitchen team at Benares have developed a brand new street food menu offering guests the opportunity to experience the variety of dishes that derive from India. With plant based eating on the rise, we wanted to offer a fresh and alternative menu alongside our regular one making street food more accessible to all.”

Food industry told to cut down calories amid obesity crisis

The UK government has told manufacturers in the UK that they need to cut down the calories in their products due to the obesity rates in the UK. It is predicted that in doing so, 35,000 premature deaths can be avoided and £9 billion of NHS funding that would be spent on treating obesity-related conditions can be saved over a 25 year period.

Dr. Alison Tedstone, Chief Nutritionist at Public Health England (PHE), said: “In England, more than a third of children are overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school, which means they are more likely to be bullied, face stigma and suffer low self-esteem. They are also more likely to become overweight or obese adults, increasing their risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.”