A Brazilian chef claimed he pulled out of catering for Prince William's Earthshot Prize ceremony in Rio de Janeiro following a dispute over its "vegan-only menu".
Saulo Jennings, who holds the position of United Nations gastronomy ambassador, said he withdrew his services after being informed that all dishes must be entirely plant-based for the environmental awards event scheduled for November 5.
The chef had initially planned to feature pirarucu, a substantial river fish native to the Amazon region, as the centrepiece of his offerings for the 700 expected guests.
The disagreement has sparked controversy in Brazil, with many interpreting the reported dietary stipulation as dismissive of Amazonian culinary heritage ahead of the nation hosting the UN's annual climate conference.
Prince William suffers setback as Brazilian chef quits over 'vegan-only Earthshot menu'
|INSTAGRAM VIA SAULO JENNINGS / GETTY
Mr Jennings expressed his frustration at the reported requirement, stating: "It's like asking Iron Maiden to play jazz. It was a lack of respect for local cuisine, for our culinary tradition."
The chef explained that his culinary philosophy centres on showcasing ingredients that the Amazon's forests and rivers naturally provide, including sustainably sourced fish alongside plant-based foods like nuts and açai.
"I have nothing against vegans or British people, but I don't want to abandon my culinary mission," Mr Jennings told the New York Times.
He added: "My work has always been about balance, about honouring what the forest and rivers give us."
Prince William launched the Earthshot Prize in 2020, which awards five innovative projects £1million each to combat critical environmental issues | EARTHSHOTDespite initially attempting to negotiate by proposing to include vegan options alongside traditional dishes, Mr Jennings said he ultimately decided against compromising his approach to Amazonian cuisine.
Representatives from the Earthshot Prize told the publication that Prince William played no role in determining the menu specifications, according to an anonymous source familiar with the event.
The organisation claims it routinely requests vegetarian menus as part of its environmental commitments, though Mr Jennings understood the requirement to be strictly vegan.
The same source suggested that financial considerations, rather than the menu disagreement, ultimately led to Mr Jennings not being selected as the caterer.
Prince William at Earthshot Prize Awards in 2022 | PAGB News has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.
Meanwhile, the chef will prepare meals for the Norwegian and Chinese delegations at the upcoming climate summit. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has also commissioned him to cater a reception for world leaders.
"With all due respect, there will be fish," Mr Jennings confirmed regarding these upcoming menus.
Mr Jennings has built his reputation on promoting genuinely sustainable practices rooted in Indigenous Amazonian traditions that have existed for generations.
Prince William has announced a star-studded lineup for The Earthshot Prize ceremony in Brazil
| GETTYThe pirarucu itself represents a remarkable environmental recovery story. This prehistoric species, which can reach weights of 200 kilograms, faced near-extinction several decades ago due to uncontrolled poaching.
However, community-led initiatives across the Amazon have successfully reversed this decline through carefully managed fishing programmes. These projects have established sustainable supply chains that benefit both local communities and the ecosystem.
The chef sources his pirarucu from these regulated fisheries for his three Brazilian restaurants, transforming the fish into sophisticated dishes.
"We eat whatever the forests give us, whatever the rivers give us," Mr Jennings explained. "Some days, we eat fish. Other days, we eat nuts and açai. This is also sustainable."