VegeProject was able to collaborate with the Kiyomizu Region Resource Council in a project to develop vegan menus using local ingredients from Kirishima, Kagoshima’s Kokubukiyomizu region.
VegeProject’s director Haruko Kawano provided a basic seminar on vegetarianism and vegan catering, as well as feedback on menu development.
Bauhaus Cafe, who was in charge of the Western-style food, presented a cornucopia of delicious vegan food: soup, Egg-like Benedict, croquettes, Soy Meat Tomato Stew, side dishes and salad, ice cream and cake for dessert, and drinks. From soy meat for meat dishes to plant-based ingredients in place of eggs for the Eggs Benedict, people were impressed with how the creativity of vegan cooking produced dishes that both looked and tasted amazing.
Sushi Rokura, in charge of the Japanese food, prepared miso soup, soup, various kinds of sushi, and a matcha dessert for us. For the sushi, Sushi Rokura prepared a colorful array using napus flower, Japanese ginger, and vegetables. There were also salad rolls and inari sushi, options that can easily be made vegan. To everyone’s astonishment, Sushi Rokura also prepared vegan versions of abalone, sea urchin, conger eel, tuna, squid, and egg sushi that at first glance looked exactly like the animal ingredient version. It was a luxurious array of handmade sushi made with the utmost care.
At both the basic seminar in February and the menu presentation in March, the seriousness of those involved in the project could be felt through the many questions asked, and the long conversations had.
We are now in the stage of finalizing the menu based on the feedback from this time around. In April, the project will shift to producing Halal menu options.
Bauhaus Cafe
1583-6 Kokubushinmachi, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture
0995-73-5477
Closed: Varies
Sushi Rokura
3-11-21 Kokubuchuo, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture
0995-45-0250
Closed: Mondays