Our Story

Traditionally Delicious since 2010

Our Story

The Vegetarian Butcher was born from the needs of a passionate meat lover. We're the traditional butcher of the past, with the meat of today. Vegetarian meat that lets meat lovers experience the feeling of not having to miss out on anything. Just as delicious as the original, but made with only vegetarian ingredients. Our mission? To become the largest butcher in the world.

Meet the Butcher of the future

With over 10 years’ experience, we like to think we know what we’re talking about when it comes to meat alternatives…
Jaap Korteweg is a 9th generation farmer and founding father of The Vegetarian Butcher. But how does someone, having grown up on a farm among the cows in the Dutch countryside, decide to become a Vegetarian Butcher? When swine fever and mad cow disease were holding the Netherlands in their grip, Jaap witnessed first-hand the disastrous consequences to livestock.
From that moment on Jaap decided to become a vegetarian. But he missed the taste of animal meat, so decided to commit himself to developing meat substitutes that replicated real meat.

The Meaty Solution

After a three-year search, Jaap developed and found innovative meat substitutes with a spectacular bite and texture. With the help of top chefs, The Vegetarian Butcher range evolved to ensure it delivered the flavours, textures and cooking experiences that you expect from animal meat.

The Vegetarian Butcher is here to help foodservice businesses with a range that cooks like meat, tastes like meat and – it’s that simple! With our wide range of meat alternatives, we aim to make quality vegetarian butchery the new standard throughout professional kitchens.

The Vegetarian Butcher’s range of plant-based products is designed to help you create exceptional alternatives to your core menu favourites.

Introducing The Vegetarian Butcher to your menu

Certain dishes are truly iconic - staples that define your menu and keep guests coming back time and again. Every restaurant has its signature favourites: recognisable classics that never go out of style.

Yet, these beloved dishes are not always suited to the growing number of vegetarians, flexitarians and vegans among your guests. Imagine being able to offer these timeless favourites in expertly crafted vegetarian or vegan alternatives, without compromising on taste, texture or experience.

The Butcher's beliefs

WHAT MATTERS WHEN IT COMES TO OUR MEAT

High quality meat

Made by meat lovers, for meat lovers. The Vegetarian Butcher is all about replicating that moreish taste and texture you get from meat, whilst being better for the planet and kinder to animals. We like to say, no meat substitutes, only meat successors.

Food revolution

This is an uprising. A food uprising. We’re standing up for plant-based nutrition and the lifestyle benefits that come with it. We’re part of a movement to change the meat industry for the better good of our health, the planet and animal welfare. Raise your forks, because a new age of meat has arrived.

Releasing animals from the chain

Just as workhorses have been replaced by mechanical horsepower, animals will also become superfluous for the production of meat. By removing the animal from the food chain, we are working on an impactful change in the food supply. In this way, culinary traditions remain unchanged and you can put the tastiest dishes on the table in no time.