Woman sparks debate over bringing own food to vegan BBQ

Bringing a dish when you go round to a mate’s for dinner is often common practice, if agreed upon in advance.

But one woman has sparked debate online after questioning whether it was fine to bring meat to a vegan pal’s house for tea.

In a thread on Reddit, she said that she had been invited to a “strictly vegan household,” but still thought it was acceptable to bring her own meaty food.

“So I’ve been invited to a vegan household for a dinner party. Of the total people going, six of nine aren’t vegans,” she explained.

The woman wanted to bring burgers to the vegan BBQ (Credit: Alamy)

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“Anytime a meal is hosted elsewhere we have two meals, one vegan and one not, so everyone can enjoy what they like.”

The Reddit user continued: “Not here though… this is a strictly vegan household. No cooking meat products on the BBQ. No cheese, no eggs, no fish.”

They said that whilst they understood not wanting to cook meat at their barbecue, they weren’t happy with the only alternative, which was a mushroom steak.

The woman in question said they were allergic to mushrooms but no alternative had been suggested.

“They know it, and their main course is a Portobello steak, it feels on purpose,” she said. “I would feel disrespected as a host if a guest brought their own food to my dinner party, but then again I try really hard to make sure everyone has options for them at mine.”

Asking for advice from fellow Reddit users, they added: “Would I be the a**hole If I brought a George Foreman and some burgers to cook up outside?”

The hosts were offering up mushroom steaks (Credit: Alamy)

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“If you think they intentionally did this, don’t go or call them out,” said one.

“Either way, I would call them and say you’re allergic to mushrooms… Is there something else being made or can you bring your own vegan meal?”

Whilst another wrote: “One person in my friend group is vegan. Anytime I cook, I either make a vegan alternative or she brings her own.

“But we always discuss it beforehand. Especially for our holiday events. I always try to make something she can have. And if I can’t, she will bring her own food. I feel like that should be standard practice for anyone.”

A third agreed, writing: “This seems like a “I’m sorry, something has come up and I won’t be able to make it” situation.” 

A meaty BBQ wasn’t an option (Credit: Alamy)

However, some suggested the woman needed to make a better effort to compromise.

“Talk to the hosts first and let them know of your allergy. If you insist on bringing food, bring vegan food,” said one.

“[You’d be wrong] if you bring burgers to their vegan house. This is not a potluck where everyone is brining dishes they like and want to share,” said another, before encouraging the Reddit user to remind the host of her allergies.