Darwin is first Cambridge college to offer all-vegan menu for May Ball

Darwin has become the first University of Cambridge college to adopt an all-vegan menu – including alcohol – for its May Ball celebrations.

May Balls are held at the end of the academic year and are generally riotous showcases of fabulous gowns, fireworks and excess from dusk to dawn: the tradition goes back to 1866.

Darwin College’s Harrison Whitaker, who is in the second year of his PhD in film history, is a member of Darwin’s May Ball Committee.

“I’ve been a supply chain officer since the start of the year,” he told the Cambridge Independent. “Out of 33 colleges at the University of Cambridge, 25 have a May Ball.

“The May Ball at Darwin will have 650 attendees: Darwin is the first and only one to have a vegan menu.”

He added: “The decision-making process was fairly organic. A couple of the 20 May Ball committee members were interested in going vegan, the suggestion was discussed and we talked to vendors and alcohol suppliers. It was when we realised we could have as good if not better supplies if we offered a vegan menu that the idea caught on.

“There’s plenty of food options from five vendors including savoury dishes and desserts. This year we have an Orient Express theme – Paris, Venice, Istanbul – so for instance there’ll be pizzas for the Venice part of the menu.”

The wine list proved more challenging.

“There are very very few wines that are vegan,” says Harrison, “but we found some local English vineyards – Chet Valley Vineyards in Norfolk and a’Beckett in Wiltshire – that offer a sparking wine and a white: we’ve not found a red yet.”

Darwin’s Ball is on June 23 – “it’s one big party across the college’s grounds” – with tickets on sale from £150.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” adds Harrison. “There’s big excitement across the board and especially as this is something new.

“May Balls are traditionally really indulgent so people are really curious to see the effect of the new menu style.”