Mary McCartney

Everybody has a different reason for being vegetarian, and for me if I had to pick one thing, it would be for the animals. Image credit: @grace.guppy

Chris Packham – wildlife TV presenter and conservationist

Helping the environment can feel overwhelming, but each of us can make a difference, and it's easy to do. By reducing or cutting out meat, we can lower our carbon footprint, helping the planet and all its occupants. That's why I am supporting National Vegetarian Week. Sign up, try some of the delicious vegetarian recipes, and know you're having a positive impact!

Meera Sodha – food writer and chef

National Vegetarian week is the perfect week to put delicious vegetables at the centre of the table.

Dave Spikey – award-winning comedian, writer, presenter

I'm delighted to support National Vegetarian Week – please join in! I've been vegetarian for over 40 years, initially motivated by my desire to help protect animals. This is a great week for first steps, whatever your motivation may be.

Katy Beskow – chef and author

I’m very proud to support National Vegetarian Week. Celebrate local, seasonal produce and cook something delicious, knowing you’re helping the planet, animals, and making sustainable choices for yourself. Cooking with plants is fast and simple, and by eating seasonally, you’ll always have something new on your plate.

Dame Joanna Lumley

Please will you join me this National Vegetarian Week? All we ask is that you choose some fabulously simple swaps and eat more delicious veggie food. Do give it a try – it’s so easy to make these small steps that will show our planet, and animals, a little kindness. Thank you!

Henry Firth & Ian Theasby – BOSH!

At BOSH!, our mission is to help people eat more plants and feel amazing doing it. National Vegetarian Week is the perfect moment to celebrate bold flavours, feel-good food, and the power of plants to fuel a healthier, happier life.

Hector Pardoe – Olympic open-water marathon swimmer

As a lifelong vegetarian I have competed in two Olympics and won a World Championship medal whilst staying true to a vegetarian diet. It's about making choices that are kind to the planet, animals and one's own body. So, this National Vegetarian Week, I encourage you to try out some amazing veggie meals – small changes can make a big impact on your health and the environment.

Justin Moorhouse – comedian

I chose to change my diet to a vegan one, for animal welfare and environmental reasons, and it’s been a brilliant decision. It’s just a part of my life, I feel better and importantly, I know my decision is having a really positive impact. Join in this National Vegetarian Week, tuck into some tasty recipes and give it a go too!

Rukmini Iyer – bestselling author/chef

Growing up in a vegetarian household, I know just how varied, flavourful and filling plant-led cooking can be, and I’m delighted to support National Vegetarian Week. We know that the more plants we can eat in a week the better, and I love coming up with minimum effort, maximum flavour vegetarian and vegan dishes to help you get more veg on your plate.

Michaela Strachan, award-winning TV presenter and author

Being vegetarian or even deciding to eat less meat, is such a simple, personal and positive step to helping the environment. Feel empowered, make a difference, strive for a more plant-based diet.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall – founder of River Cottage and author of 'How To Eat 30 Plants a Week'

Deliver more deliciousness to your plate this National Vegetarian Week. It’s a wonderful opportunity to have fun and experiment with some tasty and exciting new recipes, and to eat more glorious vegetables! Good for you and good for the planet.

Jackie Kearney – Masterchef finalist, author and chef

National Vegetarian Week is a great chance to focus on vegetable-based dishes and share enticing recipes. And hopefully encourage us to incorporate more plant-based food in our diets, which is better for our own health and the planet.

Minal Patel, Head Chef at award-winning restaurant Prashad / Great British Menu / Chef of the Year: The Oliver Awards 2025

There are so many incredible alternatives to meat, that it’s never been easier (or more delicious) to go vegetarian! And National Vegetarian Week is a great opportunity to try it out and get experimental with new recipes. Vegetables take on the flavours from herbs and spices so well, so forget about all things bland and boiled, and cook up some seriously tasty meat-free meals.

Liz Bonnin – wildlife biologist and science, natural history and environmental broadcaster

This National Vegetarian Week let's give back to the planet that gifts us with so much. Make a few meal swaps and have fun with some delicious new veggie recipes, knowing that you are supporting the climate and nature, helping to create a brighter future for all life on earth!

Anna Jones – cook/writer/best-selling author

National Vegetarian Week encourages us, for just one week, to put a spotlight on delicious vegetable-centred meals. We all know we should be eating more vegetables and less meat, fish and dairy, for both our bodies and the planet and now is the time.

Thomasina Miers – cook/co-founder of Wahaca/food writer

Eating a diet high in delicious seasonal veg, would not only have a huge impact on curbing carbon emissions but would also give a much needed boost of support for nature and biodiversity (not to mention a boost to our guts). It is one of the easiest ways to save our rainforests, birds and bees. So let’s embrace the huge variety of gorgeous fruits and vegetables at our fingertips, cook them in wild and wonderful ways and by doing so, look to reduce our meat intake.

Cathy Cassidy – bestselling, award-winning author

I went veggie age 14 – that's a LONG time ago now! My reason was that I didn't want to eat animals, and I've found it a natural and healthy way to eat, as well as a kind one. Veggie food isn't just healthy, it's varied and delicious – there's never been a better time to ditch the meat. Go on, join us for National Vegetarian Week!

Noreen Khan – award winning radio and TV presenter

I decided to turn vegetarian at the age of 13 and was inspired by my mum who was also vegetarian. Turning veggie was one of the best things I ever did, and I’ve never looked back. There are so many incredible veg options available and I’d highly recommend anyone considering turning veggie to give it a go!!

Cel Spellman – actor and presenter

Adopting a more plant-based diet is one of the most effective things we can do as an individual to be more sustainable and planet friendly. Even if it’s just one meal a week. This week is a great place to start…with vegetarian and vegan dishes being tastier and more accessible than ever.

Elly Curshen, aka Elly Pear – author and food writer

I’m delighted to be involved in National Vegetarian Week and want to encourage everyone to try making some swaps, however small, and try some plant-based meals this week! There’s so much out there to inspire you and I hope you find something new that you love!

Miguel Barclay – Chef, presenter and best selling author

Celebrating National Vegetarian Week is a great opportunity to let people know about the wonders of vegetarian food. Some people will be giving it a try for the whole week, and after this week, even if they don’t fully commit to a wholly vegetarian diet moving forward, they’ll almost certainly be incorporating more vegetarian meals into their lives.

John Robb – journalist, TV and radio presenter, best-selling pop culture author, musician

Try it! You might even like it! Drop the meat a couple of days a week and save a furry friend, the planet and yourself!

Matt Pritchard – chef and author

Let’s all practice Ahimsa for National Vegetarian Week and beyond!

Özlem Warren – food writer and author

Based on seasonal produce, whole grains, naturally flavoured with olive oil, spices, nuts, Turkish cuisine offers vibrant, easy, flavoursome choices for the vegetarian diet. I am so delighted to be a part of the Vegetarian Society's National Vegetarian Week to showcase our delicious, doable vegetarian Turkish flavours – Afiyet Olsun!

Kwoklyn Wan – chef, restaurateur, presenter and author

Eating less meat and incorporating more vegetarian dishes into your diet not only benefits your health but also enriches your culinary experience. Embracing vegetarianism connects you with nature and promotes a sense of peace and mindfulness, making it a fulfilling choice for both body and soul. Rediscover the humble vegetable and unlock a world of flavours that nourish and delight our souls.

Annabelle Randles, a.k.a. The Flexitarian – food writer and author

Reducing the amount of meat in our diet benefits our health and the health of the planet. National Vegetarian Week is a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself to make plants centre stage for a week. Having so many delicious recipes to try, makes it easy and manageable. Enjoy!

Claire Thomson – chef, food writer, podcaster and author

Eat more veg, I think it’s catching on! I can cook with vegetables breakfast, lunch and dinner, the variety and versatility when it comes to cooking vegetarian food is jaw dropping, and I am in my element with a big pile of veg – slap-bang-centre – on my chopping board to cook with here at home.

Mark Diacono – chef

Whether you're an omnivore, vegan or vegetarian, National Vegetarian Week is a great opportunity to celebrate the best of what we grow, and to perhaps reset how we eat to tread a little lighter on the planet, eat more seasonally and maximise deliciousness by putting vegetables more at the heart of our diet.

The Happy Pear

At The Happy Pear, our mission is purely to help people eat more veg, get healthier & feel happier! National Vegetarian Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the joy of eating more veg – eat well, feel good, and live better!

Denis Cotter – chef and author

Throughout my long career as a vegetarian chef, I have loved delivering the holistic pleasure that can only come from vegetable-focused dishes and menus. National Vegetarian Week is a great way for people to get a first sense of that into their lives.

Eddie Shepherd – award winning chef

National Vegetarian week is a great time to explore cooking and eating fantastic and varied plant-based meals. There’s never been more options, information, and exciting ideas out there to make this a fun and delicious opportunity to eat well and help the planet.

Charles Dowding – No Dig Gardener and Writer

I feel so good when I eat loads of no dig vegetables and encourage anyone who can to grow their own. When you have a good supply of homegrown vegetables, you’re not gonna miss the meat!

Gaz Oakley – chef

Rose Elliot – vegetarian and vegan cookery writer

I am delighted to support National Vegetarian Week. Whether you are a flexitarian, “veggie curious” or simply fancy a change, National Vegetarian Week is a fantastic opportunity to try some delicious vegetarian meals. Do it for the taste sensation, do it for your health, do it for the planet and most of all, do it for the animals. Happy cooking!

Conor Spacey – chef

As a chef, cooking with whole vegetables, plants and fruits is one of the most exciting ways to create flavours and textures for dishes that are not only better for you, but also better for the planet. I'm delighted to be supporting National Vegetarian Week and urge you to get involved and get excited about your food again. If we all make small changes to how and what we eat, then collectively we can fix our broken food system. Image credit @Phill Doyle