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The Michelin Guide France 2021 awarded a star to vegan restaurant for the first time.
Restaurant ONA in the city of Ares, near Bordeaux, received the accolade five years after opening. Claire Vallée, owner of ONA – which stands for Origine Non Animale – launched the vegan restaurant in 2016 thanks to crowdfunding from supporters and a loan from a green bank.
She said ‘it felt like I got hit by a train’ when she received a call from the Michelin Guide informing her of its decision.
Before being forced to close due to Covid-19 restrictions her menu offered seven dishes which included combinations of pine, boletus mushroom and sake, or celery, tonka and amber ale.
Talking about finding funds for the niche restaurant she said: “They (the bank) said the outlook for veganism and plant-based food was too uncertain.”
She went on to secure financing through crowdfunding, without the need for collateral, and through La Nef, a bank that specialises in lending to projects it considers ethical.
She admits ‘vegetable-based cooking is difficult and innovative’ but added: “The most important thing is to enjoy doing this.”
Although now considered a pioneer for vegan cuisine in France, Vallée said she simply followed in the footsteps of others, singling out the late Jean-Christian Jury, who ran the Mano Verde restaurant in Berlin.
In addition to Monday’s award of the classic star, Claire also won a green star, which Michelin introduced last year to reward establishments with a strong record for ethical practices.
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‘The first vegan restaurant in France to win a Michelin star’
Vegan Cheeseburger
Spicy Vegan Bean Burgers
Vegan Clover Club cocktail recipe
BBQ Seitan "belly" and buttermilk vegan nuggets with gravy, slaw and grilled corn
Sat Bains says vegan tasting menus are a rip-off
