Vegetarian cuisine (was: Re: [EuroPython] Europython 2004 feedback results)

[Aiste Kesminaite]

> On Wed, 2004-10-20 at 21:50, Magnus Lycka wrote:
> > Beatrice Fontaine wrote:
> > Just because someone rejects to eat meat, it doesn't mean
> > that they are professional vegetarian chefs, any more than 
> > people who avoid veggies as much as they can, are bound to
> > experts on steaks etc. I'll pass this on to the food
> > preparation professionals, and stick to software.

You don't have to be an expert to know what is nutritious and what is
not and give some suggestions as to what you would like to be served for
the next meal.
That is how I understood Bea's suggestion. No one is offering you to be
our chef...

> because the food was good. So I really think you are barking up the
> wrong tree here. I AM trying to help and Aiste and Albertas know that.

Entirely true.

> > Personally I don't come to EPC for the food ;) so I don't think
> > we should make too much of an effort to fix this. There are 
> > other things that we need to focus on. 
> 
> Ah, but that is where the statistics tell me that there are a lot of
> people who share my opinion that "we" should have that fabulous dinner
> again. Anyway, it's about informal networking as much as about food, so
> there is something for everyone. Now "we" should have the same quality
> of food for everyone, too.

I do not come to EP for food either, but fair is fair. If a group of
people is having a dinner everyone's (more or less) food should be of a
similar quality in most aspects. In this I agree with Bea and Jacob.

> Well, we tried a number of veggie places over the week in GOT and some
> were really very good. But I still need more than aubergines and steeped
> grain to fill my belly for more than 2 hours, which is MY individual
> preference. 

:) Bea, you haven't tried _really good_ vegan food...

> As for the conference chef, I suspect it was lack of
> communication, like most things, and can be corrected.

That was my impression as well. I think, the problem was in expertise as
much as in miscommunication, as Bea mentioned earlier - proper vegetarian
cooking is a whole different experience and even if you are a wonderfull
cook in a good restaurant (non veggie) it does not automatically mean,
that you can prepare good veggie food.

> This is just silly. When omnivores don't respond to the veggie
> challenge, they are called callous, uncaring, and many other nice
> things. When they try to help, they are nailed for their OBVIOUS
> ignorance on the subject.

I think you are overreacting slightly Bea :)
Most of us know what helpful and kind person you are and there is no need
to get offended if some people cannot express their opinions in less
personal ways.

-- 

Aiste Kesminaite
Managing director, Programmers of Vilnius
Phone: +370 6563 6462
Email: aiste at pov.lt
Web: www.pov.lt