Deliciously ironic

The annual “Taste of Elegance” was held Monday evening at Boston University, featuring the creativity and the versatility of some of Boston’s top chefs from restaurants such as La Morra, Tremont 647, Rialto, Pigalle, The Fireplace, Z-Square, and Top of the Hub. Chefs showcased their originality with their best pork dish for diners to sample with the chef. The best pork dish would give the chef a chance to escape this frozen Hell and compete in a national competition in Florida. However, not everyone was thrilled to see an event showcasing pork dishes.

Members and supporters of MARC (Massachusetts Animal Rights Coalition) gathered in protest outside The Showroom, at 808 Comm. Ave, despite the bitter cold.  With more than 2,000 members, ranging from students to grandparents, MARC is the largest active animal rights group in Massachusetts.  Every year, the group organizes and participates in more than 100 public events to raise awareness of animal cruelty.

Their goals were simple: to protest the annual event and to raise awareness of the cruelty to pigs in factory farms. That evening, several protesters, armed with signs that read phrases like “Have a Heart-Go Veg,” and “How Much Cruelty Can You Swallow?” rallied outside as organizers of the pork event set up tables and serving stations before the competition began.  Before the potentially ironic “Taste of Elegance” officially began, Boston University police came out and made clear to MARC that the sidewalk was not to be blocked to bystanders and that no one was to be harassed.  Helen Rayshick of MARC stood outside the event, passing out hand and foot warmers, holding a sign that read, “Animal Graveyard.”

“The pigs are raised in terrible conditions and die in horrible ways,” she said. “Pigs are as smart as the average human three-year-old and are being confined in factory farms and slaughtered in terror,” she saod. “You wouldn’t treat a three-year-old like that, would you?” No, no I wouldn’t. Not unless they were really, really bad.

Despite temperatures in the teens, protesters handed out literature detailing the cruel life and death of the 100 million pigs that are raised in overcrowded, filthy conditions before being slaughtered, just what you want to read before sampling pork. An individual dressed in a life-sized pig costume joined the ranks of protesters, providing a curious before/after rendition of the menu item being served inside.

Rayshick suggested BU host an event that is more sustainable and animal safe. “Why not instead do a ‘Taste of Vegetarian?’’’ Well, the city of Boston does hold such events like the Vegetarian Food Festival (last November), which attracted thousands of protesters raising awareness of the cruelty of zucchini. No, I’m kidding about that last part, but they do draw in some delicious hummus.

Don’t fear though, BU isn’t a 24-hour steak house, nor does it endorse cruelty to animals.

BU’s food services do, however, provide vegan and vegetarian options throughout the day for breakfast, lunch and dinner in all residential dining rooms as well as the many dining options in the GSU.

If you’d like to learn more about animal rights at BU, check out the BU Animal Rights Facebook group for more information on campus on how you can get involved.

But the question remains, does Boston have enough vegan and vegetarian options to satisfy the pickiest eaters? Sure, any Chinese or Thai restaurant can claim they are veggie friendly by simply not adding meat or substituting tofu in their dishes, but where are the true meat-free eateries? Try The Other Side Café on Newbury Street,  The Grasshopper Vegetarian Restaurant,  or Herrell’s Café (Try their pancakes!) for vegan friendly food. Bon appétit.