I was out last night at my hubby's work's Christmas do. We'd been assured that there would be vegan food there and with it starting at 6pm, it was really difficult to get something to eat beforehand, not helped by a road accident that caused major delays in the city center which was were we had arranged to meet. He had been advised not to leave the car in the works car park (vandalism issues but only at night), so we'd agreed to meet up at the only car park we found guaranteed to fit my 4x4 (height restrictions of 2.2m means it won't fit most multi storey car parks.).
I had that sinking feeling when we walked in, which was only confirmed when signs on snacks said gluten free or dairy free, not vegan or vegetarian... checking the bread rolls, I found even they had dairy in them. Grrr. Even the salad that was brought out wasn't vegan, nor vegetarian.
poor show really.
We asked and they brought out some dairy free bread, but it was clear they were not prepared. For the actual meal, I was told it was roast pumpkin and lentils. I stupidly got my hopes up. It was literally a slice of roast pumpkin (Queensland blue) and a puy lentil 'salad' by which I mean cold puy lentils with a few scattered pumpkin seeds. No dressing, so seasoning, nothing else. I wasn't impressed.
We left after 2½hrs which was as early as it was polite. Thankfully I had the foresight to throw a vegan vanilla protein shake together and leave it in the car. It was the second one that day but at least it filled a whole on the way home. It was a poor show by a large professional catering company catering for a large number of people and the first time outside of hospital they I've not been able to obtain a reasonable vegan meal in Australia.
I'm now in Canberra in a vegan cafe having a decent breakfast. Hubby had to be at work early, the other vehicle had no fuel and to add to the fun he had left in work's pass on the 4×4.
I've got a ton of things to get done this morning before I can drive home and get some more sleep.
