Veganuary 2025

How Plant-Based Eating Is Revolutionizing Gastronomy and Consumer Culture
Cover photo by Eleplant
Cover photo by Eleplant
Alexandra Gorsche © Conny Leitgeb Photography
14. December 2024 | 
Alexandra Gorsche
14. December 2024
|
Alexandra Gorsche

As Veganuary 2025 begins, the spotlight once again falls on plant-based eating. But what makes this month so special? From innovative campaigns to creative restaurant concepts and unforgettable gourmet experiences, we explore why Veganuary is more than just a trend and what it means for restaurateurs and consumers alike.

Veganuary: A Month That’s Changing the World

First launched in 2014, Veganuary encourages people worldwide to try a vegan diet for one month. What started as a niche movement has grown into a global campaign, raising awareness about animal welfare, climate protection, and sustainable living. In 2024 alone, over 850,000 participants joined Veganuary, with numbers expected to rise further.

However, Veganuary is no longer just a personal challenge. Businesses, restaurants, and influencers are embracing this month as a platform to launch innovative products and ideas.

Fresh Approaches: From Butter to Fashion

  • Eleplant: Plant-Based Butter Meets Fashion Statements
    The plant-based butter alternative Eleplant demonstrates the wide-reaching influence of Veganuary. To mark Veganuary 2025, the brand launched a limited-edition T-shirt collection in collaboration with Le Shop Vegan and influencer Maria Clara Groppler. These vegan T-shirts send a bold message, targeting a young audience passionate about sustainable products.What makes this campaign stand out is its combination of food and fashion. As Christopher Hollmann of Veganuary Germany puts it: “In addition to diet, fashion is another powerful tool for advocating for the climate and environment.”

Delight Without Sacrifice: Creative Concepts in Gastronomy

  • “Schwein”: Humor Meets Culinary Excellence in Vienna
    The new restaurant “Schwein” in Vienna proves that plant-based cuisine is anything but dull. With inventive dishes and a playful sense of humor, the team showcases how vegan and vegetarian dishes can be both refined and delicious. The concept is lighthearted, avoiding preachiness while appealing to both curious diners and committed vegans.
  • Bonvivant: Vegan Haute Cuisine
    For those seeking plant-based cuisine at its finest, the New Year’s Eve menu by Nikodemus Berger at "Bonvivant" Berlin is a must. Featuring a six-course menu with ingredients like green strawberries, vadouvan, truffles, and charcoal, the Michelin-starred chef crafts a dining experience that even skeptics will savor. These culinary highlights illustrate how vegan cuisine has secured its place in fine dining.

The Economic Significance of Veganuary

More and more businesses are recognizing the economic potential of Veganuary. According to a Veganuary study, sales of vegan products increased by 15% in the early months of 2024. Brands like Eleplant and restaurants like “Schwein” cater to a growing demographic that values sustainability, ethics, and innovation. Major supermarket chains are also expanding their plant-based offerings to meet consumer demand.

Our conclusion for the future

Veganuary demonstrates the immense potential of plant-based eating—not just for consumers, but also for restaurateurs. The growing demand for innovative, sustainable products and dishes opens up new business opportunities. As a restaurateur, this month offers a chance to not only follow trends but also set them. With creativity, commitment, and a willingness to innovate, you can captivate your guests while contributing to a sustainable future. Veganuary is more than a trend - it’s a movement with the power to change the world.

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!
Copyright for the featured images used:
Cover photo by Eleplant

New Roots

Artisanal vegan cheese culture from Switzerland

What happens when traditional Swiss cheese-making meets plant-based fermentation? The result isn’t a substitute product, but an entirely new category. New Roots describes itself as a “vegan dairy” and produces artisanal, plant-based cheese alternatives in Oberdiessbach. Founded in 2016 in Thun, the company is one of the pioneers of European vegan cheese culture and now produces around 30,000 cheese products weekly. Particularly noteworthy: Production follows traditional ripening methods using fermentation, ripening cultures, and artisanal care rather than texturizing additives. For establishments looking to elevate their vegan offerings to fine-dining standards, it’s worth taking a closer look at the following products.

Sustainable Grilling 2026

Pro Tips from Haya Molcho, Affordable Premium Meat, and Plant-Based BBQ Trends

Whether it’s quality meat saved through Too Good To Go, plant-based steaks from Planted, or Zero Waste BBQ according to the Kotányi Grill Study: The 2026 grilling season stands for mindful enjoyment, new taste experiences, and smart ways to save money while grilling.

Blaufränkisch at its peak

Why Kerschbaum’s “X” 2015 Is a Rare Statement Against Opening Wine Too Early

Most great wines are opened too early. Michael Kerschbaum turns this principle on its head and, with the Blaufränkisch “X” 2015, brings a wine to market that is available precisely when it has reached its full potential. A rare statement in favor of patience, terroir, and the true greatness of Blaufränkisch.

With the Blaufränkisch “X” 2015, the Kerschbaum Winery is making a deliberate statement against the fast-paced nature of the wine world. Ten years of aging, uncompromising selection, and a clear vision: to make a Blaufränkisch available precisely when it has reached its full potential.

quick & dirty
Eleplant has presented a limited edition T-shirt collection. Photo provided
Veganuary 2025

As Veganuary 2025 begins, the spotlight once again falls on plant-based eating. But what makes this month so special? From innovative campaigns to creative restaurant concepts and unforgettable gourmet experiences, we explore why Veganuary is more than just a trend and what it means for restaurateurs and consumers alike.