The 1890s Vegan Thanksgiving Gala
Event Date:
November 22, 2025
Event Time:
5:30 pm
Event Location:
Walnut Hill College
By 1890, early vegetarians were already creating a flesh-free Thanksgiving feast! This living history event features actual vegetarian recipes from that era veganized by nine of Philadelphia’s top vegan chefs. The banquet will be prepared by the culinary arts students at Walnut Hill College under the direction of nationally acclaimed vegan chef Rachel Klein of Miss Rachel’s Pantry and Emmy-award-winning TV-cooking-show host Christina Pirello.
We also celebrate the 31st Anniversary of Tofurky, represented by the Chestnut-Eggplant-Vegetable Turkey by Hans Wrobel, founder of the Higher Taste in Portland, Oregon, who worked with Seth Tibbott creating the first Tofurky Feast in 1995.
The Program
5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
- Mocktail Hour with appetizers, barber-shop quartet from Rittenhouse Sound, ragtime music, and photo booth
- Banquet in the Allison Mansion courtyard at Walnut Hill College
- Presentation on the History of Vegetarian & Vegan Thanksgivings by Tofurky Founder Seth Tibbott
- The Great Vegan Ball with National Ballroom Champion Ayelette Robinson leading guests in basic 1890s-style dances, such as the waltz and two-step
The Attire
Historical formal attire is encouraged and will be eligible for the prize of best dressed: dinner for two at your choice of participating chefs’ restaurants.
Enjoy an optional Veg History Tour earlier in the day. Click here
Free parking at Walnut Hill College
Limited seating. Reserve by Saturday, November 8th!
Overnight accommodations
Homewood Hilton – right next to the Walnut Hill College 2 min walk
4211 Suites – includes a small kitchen. 5 minute walk to college
Event will be photographed and videotaped.
Attendance implies consent unless you tell us otherwise.
Thanks to the generosity of Seth Tibbott and Walnut Hill College, ticket sales go to support American Vegan Society’s programs.
AVS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Questions? Please call 856.694.2887