Earthshot Prize's Vegan Menu Request Sparks Controversy in the Amazon
Western approaches to sustainability, when imposed on Indigenous cultures and their cuisine, can unintentionally suppress what is truly unique and environmentally balanced. Saulo Jennings, a celebrated Amazonian chef and UN ambassador for gastronomy tourism, expressed strong frustration after the Earthshot Prize organizers requested an entirely vegan menu for Prince William’s event.
Cultural Clash Over Culinary Traditions
Jennings was particularly upset about being asked to exclude pirarucu, the Amazon region’s iconic giant freshwater fish, from his dishes. To him, this was more than a preference—it was a sign of disregard for his culinary heritage.
“It was like asking Iron Maiden to play jazz,” Jennings told the New York Times. “It was a lack of respect for local cuisine, for our culinary tradition.”
About the Earthshot Prize and Event Context
Prince William launched the Earthshot Prize to honor innovative solutions addressing major environmental issues globally. The 2025 ceremony was held on November 5 at Rio de Janeiro’s Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow), marking the prize's debut event in Latin America.
The ceremony also served as an introduction to COP30, which started on November 10 in Belém, located in the Amazon. This highlighted the Amazon’s critical role in the global climate conversation.
Menu Dispute at the Awards Ceremony
Jennings initially agreed to prepare a variety of canapés for the event, including both vegan and traditional options. However, after designing a menu with a vegan choice, he was informed that every dish had to be vegan, thereby excluding pirarucu entirely.
This demand ignited the controversy, illustrating the tensions between global sustainability ideals and local cultural practices.
Author’s Summary
The Earthshot Prize’s insistence on a fully vegan menu for an Indigenous Amazonian chef exposed conflicting views on sustainability and cultural respect within global environmental initiatives.