On January 18, 2024, a vegan catering seminar and vegan food tasting was held for Mori Trust Hotels & Resorts at Tokyo Marriott Hotel, one of the hotels that they operate.
VegeProject Japan provided a seminar at this event, and coordinated the selection of companies and vegan food items for the tasting. About 30 participants from within Tokyo joined at the venue, with an additional 50 participants from the company’s group attending online from all over Japan.
Vegan Catering Study Session
Firstly, our representative Haruko Kawano gave a seminar about veganism.
In the seminar, she shared foundational knowledge about veganism, and provided background on the growing interest in plant-based food, as well as domestic and global market trends. She also gave examples of initiatives by hotels, and tips for creating vegan menus.
As part of the talk, Kawano noted how vegan options can increase profits, accommodating customers with diverse diets including overseas tourists. She also emphasized how vegan food contributes to a wide range of issues such as food security, human health, environmental protection, and animal welfare.
During the Q&A session, participants asked us numerous questions about vegan catering. Additionally, Mr. Satoru Ishiwa, Pastry Chef at the Tokyo Marriott Hotel also talked about his experience with vegan sweets, currently available at the hotel.
Vegan Food Tasting Event
After this, several companies who create vegan products introduced their vegan food items, and the hotel hosted a tasting session for participants who attended the event in person.
3 companies provided their food products: Japan Food Science Co., Ltd., who sells plant-based meat infused with authentic Thai flavors; Nisshin Shokai Co., Ltd., who sell meat substitutes that can be easily used in any Japanese, Western, or Chinese cuisine; and Azuma Foods Co., Ltd., who produce both meat and seafood substitutes with plant-based ingredients.
From left to right: products from Japan Food Science, Nissin Shokai, and Azuma Foods
In addition, Tokyo Marriott Hotel provided their vegan Mont Blanc. These are sold at the Tokyo Marriott Hotel’s “Lounge & Dining G“, and can also be bought to take out.
You can find out more about this autumn-winter limited seasonal vegan Mont Blanc here.
Not only does “Lounge & Dining G” offer a take-out service, but they also offer a vegan afternoon tea. For details about how to make a reservation, please visit their website.
We would like extend our warmest gratitude to Mori Trust Hotels & Resorts and Tokyo Marriott Hotel for their efforts in organizing this event, as well as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Advisor Dispatch Program Office, and the companies who introduced their products.
Foreign / Muslim Tourists Acceptance Consultation and Advisory
This study session was held as part of the “Muslim and Other Various Cultures and Customs Acceptance Project” sponsored by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. VegeProject Japan is engaged in this project as an expert on veganism and vegetarianism.
If you are a business in Tokyo, and you want to start catering for vegans and vegetarians, if you have issues with your existing plant-based menu, or if you simply want to know more, our representative can visit your business and provide assistance. We can also offer seminars, like the one for this event. These services are free of charge for businesses in Tokyo, so please reach out to us if you are interested.
You can find more information here:
・[Free] Vegetarian & Vegan Advisory (Tokyo Metropolitan Gov. Initiative)