One thing we find chalet or hotel managers like help on is what ingredients to buy and where from. Otherwise it can end up being a different arrangement of provencal vegetables every night, which isn't going to give enough calories, let alone satisfaction.

Caterers anywhere in the world, and self-caterers too may also find this a handy page.

So here are lists of ingredients you can get locally and ones it is a good idea for them or you to bring over from the UK. Please do add in ideas, especially ingredients you can get in other skiing locations we haven't covered (due to lack of knowledge).

All these ingredients are vegan, and so work well for all kinds of veggies. Since most cheeses are not vegetarian and eggs not free-range, serious veggies will certainly prefer vegan options anyway.

If you want to know what on earth vegan means, refer to the bottom of this page.

When you're ready, take a look at our hearty skiing food recipes. Also take a look at our veganising recipes page, for simple conversion of your non-veggie recipes to veggie and vegan versions.

special notes for hosts

• Buying in the UK - this is a great idea for cost savings and some of those tasty and handy extras you just can't get elsewhere.
• Quantities to buy: Vegans eat about twice the volume of any other guests. We love food and burn it off energetically. So think big. If you get more than you think they'll ever eat they probably still will, and this food is great for everyone - so you can always use it up on later guests.
• Ask whoever does the shopping to start opening their eyes to what is available at your supermarkets at the start of the season, with the help of these lists. Then it will be so much easier to shop when your veggie guests are due.

Creating a fuller flavour

Sometimes non-veggies are stumped for ideas for creating flavour in savoury vegan dishes. There are many many options, so there's no need to fall back on tomato. For a start, look at the flavours & tasty extra ingredients listed for both UK & French purchase (you can get all the French ones in the UK too). Many other ingredients have a wonderful flavour all of their own, such as puy lentils or green lentils (neither of which have to be pre-soaked before they are cooked).

ingredients lists

ingredients from the UK

• flavours
• spices, smoked paprika and curry sauces - very little availability in France (S,H,V)
• miso for rich savoury sauces (S,H,V)
• nutritional yeast flakes - essential for cheezy nutty flavour in any savoury dish or sauce (H,V)
• tamari (more tasty than standard soya sauce)
• savoury items
• yeast extract, such Meridian, Community, Crazy Jack, Natex and Vegemite although Marmite is available in small jars in France
• peanut butter - expensive in resorts, but important for vegan breakfasts and teas, as well as great in curry and satay sauces.
• mango chutney & lime pickle
• popadums (easy to fry up or microwave from raw state)
• high protein stuff
• tofu - probably cheaper to buy long-life version (cartons or jars) in bulk in the UK - lots needed for desserts and savoury dishes (S,H,V)
• soya / TVP mince - dry, cheap and lightweight - get lots, unflavoured preferably (S,H)
• tinned or jarred gluten, mock duck, braised tofu, seitan (just chop and heat/fry with your dish)
• tempeh - long life version is in jars - fun one to try and great on kebabs with satay sauce (H,V)
• Sosmix - for making sausages and burgers - particularly handy if you do cooked breakfasts
• other handy items
  • egg replacer - not necessary but it makes for easy conversion of cake recipes (S,H,V)
  • bicarbonate of soda
  • baking powder
  • vegan Christmas puddings, mincemeat and mince pies (S,H,V - the Co-op is the best supermarket for these)
  • tacos shells and tortilla wraps (S,H,V)

where to buy in the UK

But where can you buy these? Many places in fact. The places we know sell the more unusual ingredients are coded in brackets, and this is what the code means:

• S = most major supermarkets, Sainsbury's is usually the best bet, followed by Waitrose and Tesco. The Co-op and Sainsbury's label their own brand items as suitable for vegans if they are.
• H = local health food shops. Independent ones tend to be better than Holland and Barrett or GNC, but these still stock some items.
• V = the Vegan Store (mailorder)
• If you are considering buying a reasonable amount, you should get the best deal from wholefood wholesalers like Infinity, Lembas (Sheffield), Green City (Glasgow), Community Foods and Suma, who can all deliver to your UK door.

ingredients available in France

• flavours
• herbs and sweet spices
• fresh ginger
• dessicated coconut and/or tinned coconut milk in both sweet and savoury dishes
• fruit juice & puree, especially apple or freshly squeezed lemon, in both sweet and savoury dishes
• peanut butter* (particularly good in curries)
• vegan dairy products (use them like normal dairy products in savoury cooking)
• breakfast
• Marmite often available in small jars*
• peanut butter*
• porridge oats
• breakfast cereals - watch out for honey and milk products though. Rice Krispies, Cornflakes*, Wheatabix*, and some organic mueslis are good bets
• vegan dairy
  brands to look out for include: Sojasun, Bjorg (organic), Sol
• soya milk* (be sure it is unflavoured - vanilla one is no good in cooking or cereal)
• other plant milks, such as rice milk
• soya custard (vanilla dessert)*
• dairy-free margarine - for brand details , read about French margerines and other vegan products
• soya yoghurt
• soya cream
• high protein stuff - essential in every main course
• tofu and lots of it (also great pureed in desserts)
• nuts and seeds - lots of them. Cashews, pistachios, sesame seeds and pine nuts are most popular
• pulses - dry or tinned: poischiches/chickpeas, flageolet, cannelini, etc
• lentils (half lentils and half veggie mince makes a great moussaka/lasagna base)
• fillers
• potatoes*
• rice*
• noodles and pasta (ones without egg)*
• gnocchi (check ingredients)
• tacos and tortilla wraps (check ingredients - nearly always vegan)*
• filo pastry (made with olive oil)
• some other ready made pastries may be okay too, as long as your knowledge of the French for dairy derivatives is good.
• tasty extras
• sweet chestnuts (maroons/chateignes) - whole or puree, in sweet and savoury dishes
• sun-dried tomatoes
• artichoke hearts
• dried and fresh fruit in sweet and savoury dishes
• biscuits - some are made with veg fat and don't contain butter/whey
• chocolate: many brands of bitter chocolate are vegan, as long as they lecithin used is soya. Lindt Excellence is a good example. Pure cocoa is also vegan.
• fruit and veg of course!

* starred items are sometimes available in resorts. All other items are often found in the large supermarkets in the big towns, such as Moutiers or Bourg St Maurice. Some large towns also have good health food shops. If your chalet or hotel only shops in the resort you will have a smaller range of ingredients available locally, unless they make a special trip. We suspect the must be wholefood wholesalers in mainland Europe just like their are in the UK, who can deliver.

is it vegan?

If an item says it is suitable for vegans it will be, but it is not so certain that the French "vegetal" has quite the same reliability, though it is a good starting point.

If in doubt: ask your guests to read the ingredients to check if you are not sure - this saves you a lot of bother. Guests always appreciate care and honesty, which builds trust and good feeling.

The handy thing about veganism is that it is more clear-cut than vegetarianism, so once you get the hang of it, it is pretty straight-forward.

what does vegan mean?

Vegan food contains no animal products, that is no flesh, fowl or fish, eggs or milk products. Honey is also considered an animal product. For a listing of such products, particularly the more obscure ones such as E-numbers, see the Vegan Society's page on animal products.

Much alcohol, particularly many wines, are manufactured using animal products. To be on the safe side, do not use alcohol in vegetarian catering. If you supply wine with meals normally, try offering fruit juices instead, or maybe some of these beers.

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