Carveries are the pinnacle of carnivorous Britain. Salivating diners convene at reliable roadside chains or independent pubs to enjoy cuts of meat with fat-drenched roasties, plus an extra side of meat, all topped off with a sea of meat gravy. It’s fair to say that a vegan alternative is hard to imagine.
But may we remind you that this is 2023 and we are in the era of meat-free steaks, fake eggs and now, what is believed to be Britain’s first plant-based carvery.
The Barn, a pub in the village of Willey, Warwickshire, has ditched beef, lamb, pork and poultry in favour of a fully vegan menu. The owners, Sarah Goodchild and Ben Stead-Davis (also head chef), are both vegan themselves and following the success of their Veganuary options last month settled on making the plant-based alternatives permanent.
The 13-item dinner is served as a buffet every Sunday from 10am until 4pm and costs a very reasonable £14.95. Customers have options including ‘tofurkey’, seitan, nut roast and plant-based Lincolnshire sausages with sides including Yorkshire puds, creamy leeks, stuffing, cauliflower cheese and red wine gravy. There’s no animal produce in sight.
If you want to book and give the carvery a go, best be swift – according to Stead-Davis, response to the menu has been ‘incredible’ and the pub is fully booked for the next three weeks.
Stay in the loop: sign up to Out There, our free newsletter about all the best stuff to do across the UK.