Meat Free Monday at Mr Peebles leaves some customers cold, but chef says he’s warming up
An Ivanhoe cafe has stirred up some customer backlash with their Meat Free Mondays. But the owner is persisting, calling on people to keep an open mind – and give their ‘vego pulled pork’ a try.
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Mister Peebles owner and chef Scott Curatolo says he will keep serving up ‘Meat Free Mondays’, despite some customers storming out of the Ivanhoe cafe.
“People were a bit upset and annoyed but I knew that would happen,” Curatolo said.
“I’m sort of forcing people to do it, but its only one meal out of their whole week.”
Meat in Mister Peebles dishes – including house specialties such as the pulled pork shoulder with hashbrowns and poached egg and the juicy chicken thigh burger – are substituted with vegan jackfruit on Meat Free Mondays.
The fruit is native to India and is often used as a meat substitute due to its flavour, which is similar to pork.
Despite being a carnivore himself, Curatolo said he loved the philosophy behind Meat Free Mondays.
The international initiative was launched by Paul, Stella and Mary McCartney in 2009, to raise awareness of the environmental impact of animal agriculture and encourages people to go meat-free for one day of their week.
Curatolo said Mister Peebles was the only cafe in the area to embrace Meat Free Mondays.
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Social media users responded positively to the Meat Free Monday move by Mister Peebles.
@unbeleafablefood commented: “Yessss I need to come in for one of these Mondays hehe”
@theglutenfreebible said: “Yum!!! Cannot wait to try this!”
Mister Peebles is open Monday to Saturday at 54 Lower Heidelberg Rd, Ivanhoe.
courtney.beaumont@news.com.au