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