The Vegan Cook’s Bible will lead you down an unrighteous path

June 10, 6:27 PMTampa Vegan ExaminerElizabeth Holli Wood

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Omaha Vegan Examiner Adam Kochanowicz recently made mention of a cookbook entitled The Vegan Cook’s Bible. Despite the holier-than-thou title, the book is not written with the help of any divine vegan intervention. Rather, it is written by herbalist Pat Crocker who is neither vegan, nor is she even vegetarian.

While this might not seem like so big of a deal—after all, talented chefs can come up with some really delicious vegan recipes without practicing the lifestyle for themselves—the idea of a non-vegan cashing in on the vegan lifestyle is rather unnerving. As Roseann Marulli of SuperVegan.com explains in her review of the book, the recipes themselves are delicious. However, a cookbook might lose a lot of credibility if the author simply talks the talk without walking the walk.

What is most upsetting about Crocker’s book is that she promotes the consumption of fish and honey within its pages. While some vegans do not take issue with honey, the idea of a “bible” is that it is a sacred text which outlines the beliefs of a group. If Crocker is implying that veganism includes eating fish and honey, she is horribly mistaken.

Needless to say, the vegan blogosphere and even the Amazon reviews of the book are quite outraged. Some are calling for a boycott, or at least a letter to the publishing company who did not consider the implications of including fish and honey in a vegan guidebook.

What’s truly horrifying about the situation is the way Crocker herself responded to a review by Mylene of the blog My Face is on Fire. Mylene reviewed the book, calling attention to the areas in the book where Crocker strays from the vegan guidelines. Crocker fired back with a very unprofessional and angry rant in defense of her book. I can see standing by your work, but lashing out to such a degree on a blog is really inappropriate.

I for one will not be purchasing this book. And not because I think poorly of Crocker (I’ve never met her, I’m sure she is very good at what she does), but because I think there are enough vegan cookbook authors who are as dedicated to doing as they are to preaching. Enough vegan cookbook authors who would never even consider including honey and fish within their pages.
 

Photo from www.amazon.com. The Vegan Cook's Bible is published by Robert Rose.