Veggies target restaurants over fish dishes

The Vegetarian Society is planning a blitz on restaurants and caterers that serve up fish as a vegetarian option.

But the campaign has been dismissed as unnecessary by the Restaurant Association.

!
Fish: not a vegetable

The Vegetarian Society's "Fishconception" campaign kicks off on 12 August in a bid to educate the "surprisingly significant" number of establishments that the society claims are labouring under the misconception that vegetarians eat fish. "This myth needs to be debunked," the society claimed. It has collected anecdotal evidence from vegetarians, including one who complained of being given a tuna sandwich described on the menu as "vegetarian sandwich" at a private hospital in central London after an operation. Michael Gottlieb, president of the Restaurant Association, described that sort of incident as "stupidity and not giving a damn." But he added: "I don't think there needs to be an educational campaign. It's not a major issue, as much as it might annoy vegetarians." But Liz O'Neill, head of marketing and public relations at the Vegetarian Society, said: "Many of our members and other vegetarians tell us about restaurants, cafés and pubs that seem to expect them to eat fish. "It's an issue of great concern to the Vegetarian Society, so we are putting significant resources into a campaign aiming to dispel this fish-conception once and for all." The programme will comprise a light-hearted advertising campaign and encouragement of direct customer feedback to ignorant eateries. Wallet-sized cards have been produced which can be left on the table, giving the definition of vegetarianism and details about free caterers' advice and recipe packs available. Survey results will shortly be published about how vegetarians feel about establishments that serve fish as a vegetarian dish. by Andrew Don