Osher’s pre-Logies dinner plea sparks a PETA intervention
A frustrated and pre-emptively starving Osher Gunsberg has as issued an impassioned plea to the caterers of this weekend’s TV WEEK Logie Awards.
The vegan and coeliac, who’s up for a Gold Logie, has copped his fair share of bland and boring veggie stacks at countless television industry events over the years.
Gunsberg fears the Logies, hosted at The Star in Sydney on Sunday, will be no different and took to Instagram with a tongue-in-cheek version of the dancing Bill Hader meme.
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Speaking to Dr Mumbo, the beloved host of The Bachelors and The Masked Singer on Ten offered a few tips for those designing the menu for the star-studded event.
“A can of chickpeas has the same amount of protein as a steak,” Gunsberg quipped. “And they cost about a buck too, so chuck it in a pan with some veggies and seasoning and you’re all set.
“No more sad veggie stacks. No more lumps of wet rice pretending to be risotto – because a plate of carbs isn’t a meal. No more sliced mushroom or eggplant, please.
“I need all the energy I can get to dance all night at the after party.”
Gunsberg’s call-out is mostly light-hearted, but he told Dr Mumbo that he’s happy to fly the flag for vegans and coeliac-sufferers who’ve had to cop the same lack of culinary imagination.
“I’ve got an iPhone photo roll full of pictures of sad veggie stacks from parties or wedding and whatever, and I reckon others would too,” Gunsberg laughed.
“Come on, chefs of Australia – there must be something better you can offer. I know catering to scale is tough and those in a kitchen trying to feed a thousand people have plenty to do, but don’t make us an afterthought.”
His Gold Logie rivals are unlikely to go hungry on Sunday, where the who’s who of the small screen are wined and dined.
“I know I’m going to have to watch Julia Morris enjoy a line-caught Tasmanian salmon or something like that,” he laughed.
Meanwhile, his Reels gag caught the attention of animal rights group PETA, which is rushing a “Logies survival hamper” to Gunsberg to take to the event.
The “decadent” hamper is brimming with gourmet goodies, including artisanal plant-based cheeses, quinoa crackers, chocolate mousse and a selection of organic tonics.
“With this hamper, we wanted to reward Osher for his great lifestyle choices, while reminding the event’s chefs that, with a little talent and creativity, vegan food can be delicious and innovative,” PETA spokesperson Emily Rice said.
Dr Mumbo asked Logies organisers for a sneak peek of the menu but it’s being kept firmly under wraps for now.
Good luck, Osher. If it’s any consolation, Dr Mumbo wasn’t invited and will be enjoying a delicious packet pasta while watching it all from the couch.
Coverage of the 63rd TV WEEK Logie Awards begins at 6pm on Seven.
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