 July 29th, 2010
12:15 PM ET
Rumors are flying fast and furious that former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton's wedding menu is to be exclusively vegan and gluten-free. While that's not actually true - Ms. Clinton herself has a gluten allergy and has been known to follow a vegan diet, but is making a range of options available to her guests - commenters at websites like Serious Eats are engaging in some debates on the subject. So, we're asking: |
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I would think if the diet is something unique enough so my parents wouldn't eat the food, I would serve additional meals so everyone could enjoy dinner. For example, I was at a Hmong wedding that served one option: fried rice with spicier than spicy veggie mix to put on top. I ate it out of respect but was uncomfortable afterwards.
Serving a variety of dishes just yields a higher success rate of people being happy :-D
Basically the poll is asking if one should impose their dietary restrictions on their guests...NOT! If you don't know you're guests well enough to know their dietary restrictions/preferences, then why are you inviting them to share in your "special day?"
Chelsea Clinton...american royalty...you've got to be kidding! I wonder if Monica L was invited and what she ate?
Well, to be honest... We keep strictly kosher and, consideration or no, if I decide to serve a dairy menu, I won't consider putting in meat dishes just to oblige my guests. Nor will I serve pork or shrimp aside if I am doing a meat dinner party. I tend to assume that you go by whoever has more dietary restrictions – since you can eat what they eat but they can't eat what you eat. It seems simple enough to me.
When creating a menu for a wedding the guests are usually asked which of a particular main dish they would enjoy. So, how is this any different from any other wedding? The guests should be offered a choice between carnivorous fare and a vegan alternative. This way, everyone is happily eating what they prefer and there should be little room for complaints. My cousin did this at her wedding, but to tie all the meals together a bit, all the food was derived from local sources. So we were all able to eat "green" regardless if we were dining on veggies or meat! And it was absolutely terrific!
The thing is, most vegans know how vegan food SHOULD be prepared. I think a lot of people assume that veganism = eating grass only. There are actually a lot of delicious meals that can be created. That said, I'm a vegetarian but my fiance is not so at our wedding reception we want a little of everything (and will gladly accommodate for other dietary restrictions). I appreciate it when my friends accommodate me when I eat at their homes, but usually it is not needed as there is always salad or vegetables for me to munch on, so I want my guests to feel like I am inclusive of their dietary needs.
What harm to be adventuresome on someone's wedding day? it's not going to harm people who normally eat meat not to do that for one meal–and makes a huge difference to someone who's living their life that way 24/7. I am fine with eating what's served or skipping it if I must. I've made lots of vegan food/gluten free food over time and it can certainly be wonderful without sacrificing flavor or variety.
When I got married we had vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, since I was vegetarian and my husband is not. But if I got married today (I have since gone vegan) I think I would like for everything to be vegan. It is quite easy to make delicious food without meat, dairy, or eggs because there are large quantities of fruits, vegetables, grains, beans and spices which can be combined. And I will say that my husband has become more and more open to vegan foods, not insisting on having meat with every meal, and it has made a difference in his blood work as well as aiding him in losing 40 lbs.
For me, I think it would depend on how creative the chiefs are. A strictly vegan and gluten-free menu would be pretty restrictive. If their goal was to match their values, they could select a vegan menu. Gluten-free is a medical dietary restriction that I'm guessing her husband-to-be will routinely break when not eating with her. However, if she is very sensitive to gluten, he might have to pass on gluten containing food to reduce the chance that she comes into contact with it.
I think a variety of dishes should be served, but that is how I would do it. It is their wedding so they can do it their way. As long as there is bread and butter, people aren't going to starve.
Well, the vegans might. And the gluten people. Unless it was dairy-free butter and gluten-free bread. Heck – maybe everyone should just pack their own!
If this were a vegan and gluten free meal, you couldn't get traditional bread and butter.
When I eat on someone else's dime, I don't complain about what is on the menu.
Totally agree
Agree, but at the same time if you threw a dinner party at your house, you'd think about your guests' preferences – you'd probably consider that so-and-so can't eat pork and someone else hates mushrooms. I think however you would treat people who come to your house for dinner should be the way you treat people who've come a long way, paid a lot of money for wedding gifts, travel/hotel expenses, etc. to be at your wedding.
I would certainly never complain if I went to a vegan wedding and they served me vegan food, but as a bride, I would think it was very important to offer a variety of things for my guests and wouldn't want to restrict them just because of my own preferences. Now if it's due to religious reasons I think that's different, but if you're just opting to eat a vegan diet and you are inviting 200 people who aren't vegans, I think forcing that on your guests makes you an inconsiderate host regardless of the venue/event.
This article would be out of its depth in an Elk's Club newsletter.
I remember a time when CNN actually had something to say.
I think it's simply inconsiderate to throw a party and not consider your audience. I eat everything, but have friends who are vegan, vegetarian, and have gluten allergies. I try to have a mix of dishes that will please everyone when I throw a party; we did this at our wedding, as well. We put a "dietary/religious restrictions" box on the reception cards. I couldn't care less about the weirdos who have aversions to certain foods, but when it's a part of one's dietary needs or religious or ethical paradigms, everyone is happiest if they're eating what they need. Serving a dinner of only vegan and gluten-free products would most likely lead to the menu being the thing the guests focus on, instead of the event at hand, the wedding.
It's their wedding and their day of entitlement. Don't you have anything important to survey about?
Why would someone choose to give up their personal dietary preferences for guests? Frankly if you come to dinner at my house you're eating what I serve (not something I myself refuse to eat but will cook you)..I am sure you will be able to expect the same at my wedding (HINT it won't be steak).
Hey mdanger, when I invite you to my house, I will have that nice, juicy steak, and will serve you a vegetarian or vegan option, – whichever is your choice. I love to cook for my family and friends. If they have preferences, I want to hear them so I can expand my culinary repertoire. If the sight of dead cow on my plate offends you, too bad. Keep your eyes focused on your own meal.
That's because you're too cheap to serve steak?
seriously? is CNN now run by high school interns? this is the most inane article....and yes, i'm resonding. oh, wait...lit's the dumbing down of america. got it.
thank god somebody said it...
You do realize that this is a daily poll and not an article right? You were expecting what, exactly, when you saw the word "POLL" at the top?
If you care more about the menu than the people who are getting married you shouldn't attend. Kudos to couples who stick to their values (which aren't hurting anyone including the animals!) on their special day.
2nd! Mwilliams. This is pretty damn stupid the way the media is TRYING to get us to think that Celsea Clinton is some sort of Celeb. or Royalty. She is Clinton's daughter, we should be in aww that she got married at all after witnessing the marriage Slick and Hill!
Who gives a rat's ass?
HAHAHA ! That is so true, :-) well put
No, you have to say "Who gives a bean sprout" since rat is non-vegan.
My husband and I are vegetarians. When we married, our reception served vegetarian dishes. The food theme was Italian (pastas, lasagnas, tortellini, herb breads and dips, various salads, etc.). Everyone said the food was amazing. We had a great time!
They lied. Your non-vegan guests went and got burgers, all the while thinking you were inconsiderate hosts for not taking their preferences into account.
There is a HUGE difference between vegan and vegetarian diets...
There might be huge differences between vegans and vegetarians, but they are all retards.
I agree! I've been to weddings that served a vegetariansfare, and they were outstanding. It does get pretty restrictive when you eliminate eggs and milk products and items containing gluten.
Don't forget Jello!
Its made from processed beef bones!
Watched how the did it on one of the cable channels.