Is there a vegan alternative to foie gras?

With foie gras remaining a controversial dish, a top French chef has created a vegan alternative.

A top French chef has created a vegan version of foie gras. According to an article on Plant-based News, Alexis Gauthier has developed a recipe that emulates the texture of traditional foie gras, but is completely vegan and has been made with the likes of lentils, walnuts, shallots.

Foie gras which is French for “fatty liver,” is made from the enlarged livers of male ducks and geese and several chefs no longer
serve this dish in their restaurants due to the cruelty issues associated with it.

Having worked with plant-based experts at BOSH! chef Gauthier wanted to take a traditional French recipe like foie gras and to give it a vegan spin “without killing any animals, and any abuse involved.”

Why is foie gras considered cruel to animals?

Alexis, who is originally from Avignon in France has previously worked at the acclaimed Hotel de Paris in Monaco, under the tutelage of Alain Ducasse, which he describes as an 'amazing experience' which evoked the inspiration and passion that remains with Alexis now.

Chef Alexis is the chef patron of the Gauthier Soho restaurant in London where his vegetable and vegetarian tasting menus account for at least 20-30% of all bookings at Gauthier Soho. His aim is to ‘promote vegetables as the star of the dish’ and has even written a book about it — Vegetronic.

Alexis does still cook with meat and fish at his Soho-based restaurant, but took the decision to adapt as many of his dishes to be plant-based and (where possible) vegan.

Speaking to the Plant-based news website, Alexis said: "Until the day I realised it (meat) wasn't for me anymore," he continued "I'm trying to rethink my entire food knowledge and re-write all the rules of cooking and eating with a vegan perspective.”

Check out the foie gras recipe for yourself

Would you serve vegan foie gras on your menu? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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