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MAJORCA DAILY BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2014

HOME NEWS

editorial@majorcadailybulletin.es

Hostelry
sector not
ruling out
industrial
action
Palma.The holiday season officially got under way
on 1 May but the hostelry
sector is still unable to reach
an agreement with management over the new employment contracts.
The two sides met again
yesterday but according to
the representative for the
CCOO workers commission, Gines Diez, it was all
much of the same.
We failed to make any
head way, talks remain
stalled and we are going to
start taking a tougher
stance which will involve
protect action and perhaps
strike action if a satisfactory
deal can not be reached.
Diez said that during the

meeting, which lasted just

two hours, management
were unable to put anything on the table which
even remotely came close
to what the hostelry sector
are demanding. Another
meeting will take place on
21 May and Diez said that
hopes that some progress
will finally be made otherwise, a union meeting has
been called for 26 May and
that is when we will discuss
protest of even industrial
action which will obviously
disrupt the summer season.
Weve had enough, we
need to reach a deal but the
more we meet, the more
likely protest action is looking, he warned.

Councils
still
running up
massive
debts
Palma.Balearic Councils are failing to hit their deficit targets and therefore making it increasingly difficult for the
Balearic Government to reduce its deficit.
Figures released yesterday by the tax office, revealed that
on 31 December last year, the regions councils were 861,49
million euros in debt - nearly two percent more than on
the same day in 2012.
The government was expecting to have seen a reduction
considering all councils have been ordered to slash their
public spending to help the region out of recession - but
they have clearly failed. Palma Council ran up the largest
debt, 376,92 million euros, 12 percent higher than the previous year.
The positive news, however, is that the Council of Minorca managed to reduce its debt by 18 percent to 32.18
million euros but the Council of Ibizas debt rose by 30 percent to 31-43 million euros.
But, the Council of Majorca managed to cut its debt by
four percent to 194,96 million euros.

VEGANFOOD
TAKINGMAJORCA
BYSTORM
b Live cook-off organised by Bulletin columnist in
Mercat dOlivar attracts some of the islands top chefs.
Vegan food is quickly
taking Majorca by
storm. And much
thanks to Stephanie
Prather and her husband Manuel Lynch.
by FRANCISCO CORTEZ
Palma. The couple, originally from Las Vegas, have
almost single handedly
taken up the task to inspire,
promote and provide the
region with all the latest information about veganism,
the practice of abstaining
from the use of animal
products, particularly in
the diet.
The two run Mallorca Vegan SL, a company dedicated to showing the world
that the island of Majorca
can be the premiere vegan
destination of the world.
Stephanie also writes a
weekly column for the Bulletin every Thursday while
Manuel helps with all the

marketing and promotion

of the company.
But yesterday at Mercat
de l Olivar in Palma and in
Stephanies own words
they decided to kick it up
a notch by inviting some
of the top chefs on the island to a live cook-off.After
all, what better way to convince local chefs to offer
something different on
their menus than to have
them help cooking and tasting vegan recipes themselves?
One and a half hours later
veganism was finally demystified.
Those present had the
chance to try a vegan spaghetti bolognese, using
Stephanies own bolognese
recipe, a vegan lasagna and
according to those present
the best recipe of the night,
a vegan bchamel made
with local ground almonds
and a vegetarian meat
called Seitan, produced

by local company Mallorcabio. While many were not

surprised with how similar
the recipes tasted compared
with the ones made with
animal meat, other chefs,
restaurant owners and vegan enthusiasts who were
present, were well impressed with the variety of
products and diversity of
recipes one can cook for a
vegan.
And that, was exactly the
kind of reaction Stephanie
and Manuel were keen to
bring out.
It gets tiring to go out
saying that you are a vegan
and being offered a mixed
salad. There is so much
more you can do.
Creating vegan recipes
takes up the same time
than any others but its
healthier, its good for those
who want to avoid cholesterol or, eat less meat and
its a great way to teach the
children to eat well,

Stephanie said. But whats

more important is that we
dont want in any way to
change the way and what
people eat. We just want to
show everyone that there
are more options out there
and healthier ones.
Those interested in knowing more about Majorcas
growing vegan movement,
new recipes or tips on
where to eat or buy some of
the products can do so by
contacting Stephanie via
www.mallorcavegan.com
and by following her latest
recipes in tomorrows publication.

Stephanie and Christian

Bustos, former chef invited to cook at the
event and who now
runs a spices shop at
Mercat dOlivar (top
left). Guests were encouraged to actively
participate in the cookoff. PHOTOS: F.CORTEZ