By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER EAST SIDE — No mystery meat or Sloppy Joes here.
The gourmet vegetarian offerings at the Chapin School — one of the crown jewels of Upper East Side girls education — have made the private school one of the 2010 nominees for "Most Vegetarian-Friendly Cafeteria" in the country by the the youth branch of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA2.
The school's April menu featured North African split pea soup, French vegetable ragout, Moroccan-style vegetable stew, vegetarian burritos, roasted tofu and green peas with mint, as well as meat offerings.
Students at the school also have the option of drinking soy milk all year long, according to their entry.
The organization nominated the school after Chapin students submitted school menus on the group's site, said Ashley Byrne, senior campaigner for PETA.
"What we're seeing is that vegan options are more popular than ever, and that's in part thanks to delicious items like what they're putting on the menu at the Chapin School," Byrne said.
"All students can enjoy the food regardless of whether they're vegan," Byrne said.
Vegan dishes do not include any dairy, meat, or eggs.
Chapin will vie for the top national spot among a field of four other private schools who have gotten creative with non-meat food options.
Some of the lunchroom menus of the other contenders feature organic salad bars, vegetarian fajitas, basil pesto and tempeh enchiladas.
PETA officials will announce the winner on May 3.
