French vegan restaurant awarded Michelin Star The restaurant is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 - Media Credit: ONA

Vegan Restaurant In France Awarded Michelin Star

Owner of Origine Non Animale says her loan applications were turned down by traditional French banks, as 'the outlook for veganism was too uncertain'

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2 Minutes Read

A vegan restaurant in France has become the country’s first to be awarded a Michelin star. 

Claire Vallee launched Origine Non Animale (ONA) back in 2016, after receiving a loan from a green bank and raising funds online.

Michelin Green star

ONA also won a Michelin Green star – a recent distinction that awards ‘those operating at the forefront of their field with sustainable gastronomy practices’. 

The restaurant offers seven plant-based dishes on its gourmet menu. However, ONA has temporarily shut due to COVID-19 restrictions.

‘Too uncertain’

According to reports, Vallee first approached several traditional French banks for funding but was turned down. 

She was told ‘the outlook for veganism and plant-based food was too uncertain’ and that the desired location for her restaurant -the Arcachon basin – was not considered ‘promising enough’.

After receiving a call from the Guide Michelin last week, Vallee says she felt like she ‘got hit by a train’. She added: “This goes to show that nothing is impossible.”

Vegan meat

Last year, Michelin-starred restaurant says it had become the UK‘s first to serve vegan meat on its menu.

Harwood Arms is well known for its meat-heavy menu. But as demand for animal-free options has grown, it has added a vegetarian Scotch egg to its menu.

Made with THIS vegan bacon, the egg offers a meat-free alternative to the establishment’s famous Glamorgan Scotch egg. It costs £5.50.

You can check out Origine Non Animale’s full menu here

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The Author

Liam Gilliver

Liam is the former Deputy Editor of Plant Based News. He has written for The Independent, Huffington Post, Attitude Magazine, and more. He is also the author of 'We're Worried About Him'.

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