Brazilian chef opens up about why he declined to cater the eco-focused event in Rio de Janeiro
With just hours left before the fifth Earthshot Prize Awards, a new twist has emerged involving a chef’s decision to step away from the event. Brazilian chef Saulo Jennings, known for celebrating the flavours of the Amazon, revealed why he withdrew from catering Prince William’s sustainability-focused programme.
Jennings, 47, told AFP that he was asked to create an entirely vegan menu for the Rio de Janeiro ceremony, which he declined. “The request I received was to create a 100% vegan menu,” he explained. “I didn’t feel comfortable doing that because my work highlights that the Amazon is sustainable, and that includes the fish.”
He clarified that the vegan-only menu was not a request from the royal family. Instead, he had proposed an alternative menu centred on Amazonian ingredients — mostly plant-based dishes with sustainably sourced fish — but said his suggestion “wasn’t accepted.”
When contacted, Earthshot organisers declined to comment.
Despite the controversy, Jennings stressed that he respects veganism but does not equate it directly with sustainability. “The forest is a balanced ecosystem; it needs people, animals and plants living together,” he said. “What worries me is when this becomes a cultural imposition. The people of the Amazon eat what the forest gives them — it’s an ancestral relationship with food.”
Meanwhile, Prince William has been actively engaging with Rio’s communities ahead of the awards. He’s been highlighting local efforts to protect the environment and uplift communities while celebrating Brazil’s vibrant culture.
