As I've gotten older, I'm finding that my table, holiday and otherwise, is becoming more and more frequented by true vegetarians – a brave circle of family and friends. I have always felt empathy for these individuals - serving them and also dining out with them - as they were relegated to order the menu's "only" obligatory vegetarian entrée. Dining out, this entree would generally consist of steamed broccoli, cauliflower and carrots accompanied with the occasional green or red bell pepper with the usual carbohydrate mound of rice or pasta at the center of it all. The entire plate would be steamed until all of the robust colors were gone - including any nutrients- and the plate would take on a dull hue. Nary a hint, pinch or mention of spice, taste or imagination going into the dish or plating. Year after year this was the dining staple of the vegetarians brave enough to dine out in ours or other fine establishments. It just wasn't fair.

To comprehend the world of vegetarians you must first understand the groups they fall into. It can be easily broken down into simple categories or cliques. That way if you're at a holiday party and someone mentions they are a "lactose intolerant rawist vegan", you'll know enough not to ask them if they've tried the "venison chili with the raw goat cheese topper" yet…

1. Semi-Vegetarians
Semi-vegetarians eat no red or white meat (beef, pork, venison, etc). The only animals that semi-vegetarians eat are fowl, fish.
(Purists would say that semi-vegetarians are not vegetarians at all, but in my world, if you don't eat any meat, you're a vegetarian.

2. Ovo-Lacto Vegetarians
The most common type, ovo-lacto vegetarians do not eat any animals, but do eat eggs and dairy products. Subcategories:
• Ovo vegetarians (eat eggs but not dairy)
• Lacto vegetarians (eat dairy but not eggs)

3. Vegans
Vegans eat no animal products - no eggs, no dairy, no honey, etc.

4. Raw/Living Foodists
Raw or Living Foodists eat only raw food, because normal cooking processes destroy enzymes.

5. Fruitarians
Fruitarians eat only fruit, fruit-like vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, cucumbers), and sometimes seeds and nuts.

To the Vegans, Rawists and Fruitarians, I feel for you. After taking several complex vegetarian cooking classes, it has become very clear to me that many, if not most, of these strict type of vegans live this lifestyle not by choice. Most have health concerns/problems; strict dietary restrictions and some are more serious than others.

This summer I took a cooking class where the objective was to make a distinctive holiday meal for vegetarians. Our teacher, the honorable Chef Gloria Mann Craft, is a captivating, full of life, former actress turned CIA (Culinary Institute of America) trained chef who is currently finishing her first cookbook called "Conscious Cooking". The class was intimate in size and we explored a whole host of different recipes and various cooking styles. Many of my fellow students suffered from serious food allergies, forcing them to focus each and every thing they put into their bodies each day. I now understand how lucky I am. In the end, based on our studies, we would prepare and digest this extravagant meal. So, from the heart, for this holiday season and with a little bit of modification from yours truly, I present an unprecedented SIX course "No Beast Feast" for my vegetarian brethren.

[Followed by detailed six-course menu with recipes for: Vietnamese Smoked Tofu Salad Rolls, Akkra (Black Eye Fritters), Ayurvedic Salad, Fresh Green Chile Soup, Poached Fish with Tomatillo Sauce and Tofu option with vegetables, and Vegan Vanilla Cake with berry sauce. All recipes include detailed ingredients and instructions.]