Vegetarian Society of DC - Thanksgiving Event

This event has already occurred. The information below is for your information only.

The VSDC Life-Affirming Thanksgiving is an annual event that brings together vegetarians and non-vegetarians to enjoy compassionate and healthy food and a wonderful social setting.

Celebrate Thanksgiving Day with hundreds of people enjoying a gourmet vegan feast at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda in Bethesda, MD. The programming includes exciting door prizes, a silent auction fundraiser, exhibitors, and a live musical act by guitarist Stephen Svoboda following lunch. Everyone will leave with vegan chocolates from Rose City Chocolates. Someone will walk away with a Vitamix, others will leave with gift certificates, while still others will be enjoying the Bamboo cutting board, Tofurky Lunch Box filled with goodies, a one-night free stay from Hyatt, just to name a few things. This has been a very successful event for years so we feel confident that you will leave pleased again this year!

SPEAKER
Our keynote speaker Dr. Milton Mills, a practicing physician and the Associate Director of Preventative Medicine with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, will speak about the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Dr. Mills is an accomplished speaker, television commentator, and author. He is a graduate of the Stanford University School of Medicine.

MENU
Our exciting, abundant buffet menu is:

Soup
Coconut Butternut Squash Soup [1]

Salads / Appetizers
Vegetable Crudités (Raw Vegetables) with Artichoke Hummus, Moroccan Carrot Dip [2], Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Spread [11]
Garden Salad with Pine Nuts, Avocado, and Raspberry Vinaigrette
Freshly Baked Sourdough, Crusted Olive Bread, and Pumpkin Rolls with Herb-Infused Oil for dipping

Hot Buffet
Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Tomato and Fennel Broth Red and Black Rice Stuffing with Red Lentils, Almonds, and Cranberries [3]
Vegan Country “Meat” Loaf with Golden Gravy [4]
Sage-and-Pumpkin Seed Encrusted Seitan with Roasted Garlic-Pumpkin Sauce [5]
Spicy Collard Greens with Sun-Dried Tomatoes [6]
Green Bean Casserole [7]
Mashed Potatoes with Groovy Onion Gravy [8]
Traditional Cranberry Sauce [9]

Dessert
Vegan Pumpkin Pie [10]

Beverages
Spiced Cider [11], Iced Tea, Freshly Brewed Coffee, and Teas

RECIPES
[1] “Vegan Holiday Kitchen” by Nava Atlas from Well’s Vegetarian Thanksgiving 2011 Series at well.blogs.nytimes.com
[2] “America’s Test Kitchen” from Well’s Vegetarian Thanksgiving 2010 Series at well.blogs.nytimes.com
[3] “Recipes for Health” from Well’s Vegetarian Thanksgiving Series 2011 at well.blogs.nytimes.com
[4] “Chloe’s Kitchen” by Chloe Coscarelli from Well’s Vegetarian Thanksgiving Series 2011 at well.blogs.nytimes.com
[5] PETA.org
[6] "By Any Greens Necessary" by Tracye McQuirter
[7] Post Punk Kitchen by Isa Chandra
[8] “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Living” by Beverly Lynn Bennett from vegkitchen.com
[9] “Eat, Drink, & Be Vegan” by Dreena Burton
[10] “The Joy of Vegan Baking” by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
[11] “The Vegan Table” by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

REGISTRATION
Registration is closed; there will be absolutely no walk-in registrations.

REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION
A seat is reserved for you when you either register online or mail in a check with our registration form. For online registration, you will receive a confirmation immediately upon receipt of payment. For mail-in registration, you will receive a confirmation by Monday, November 19, at the latest. If you have not received a confirmation for your mailed-in registration by that date, and your check has not been deposited, please contact us.

REFUNDS

VSDC maintains an open seating policy; therefore, it's ideal to arrive shortly after 12 noon, especially if you have a group of 3 or more. We will have special seating sections (e.g., tables marked for Singles, Family, or special needs). If you have a preference, please include special table requests with your registration and we’ll do our best to honor them.

DONATIONS

The Washington Humane Society has been the DC area’s leading voice of compassion for pets and wildlife since 1870 -- yes, 1870! WHS provides comfort and care to nearly 30,000 animals each year through monetary and in-kind donations. VSDC will accept donations from the Washington Humane Society's wish list at our Thanksgiving event.

Community of Hope provides our underserved neighbors with the building blocks they need to create meaningful lives and better futures. Please bring vegan, non-perishable food items as donations, so we can help them in their mission of improving the quality of life for homeless, low-income, and underserved families and individuals.

Life-Affirming Thanksgiving Celebration