Businesses come and go quickly and sadly vegan businesses can be the swiftest departures of them all. It is extremely difficult to stay afloat at the best of times and even harder when you are part of a ‘niche’ market.
I am sad to hear of the closure of a gorgeous vegan cafe in Barcelona called Vegan Bakery. I had only just visiteda few months ago and now it appears to be no more. I’m not on the ground in that town to do my usual snooping, but I have seen whispers on the Internet that the close is temporary until a new location is found.
I would love to hear from anyone involved in the cafe or anyone with information on their future. It won’t be too long before I’m heading back that way and I would really love to support their endeavours.
Until then, take a sneak peak of what I enjoyed during my recent visit to Vegan Bakery.
I was starting to think I couldn’t be more excited about the upcoming Bowl For Oceans fundraising party for Sea Shepherd UK, but then this happened…
There are companies that make nice food, there are companies that do good things for others and there are companies that are run by lovely people. Razzle Dazzle Ices somehow manage the rare trifecta of possessing all of these traits.
Razzle Dazzle is a family-owned and operated company from Taunton, Somerset. As stated on their website, their drive to create a tasty dairy-free ice cream came from wanting their son (who can’t eat cow milk) to be included in treat time. But after setting out to perfect their recipes in their own home for their own enjoyment, Razzle Dazzle then put their efforts into spreading the vegan ice cream love far and wide across the land.
The Razzle Dazzle Ices range includes such tantalising flavours as Mango Sorbet, Coconilla and Hintamint. Check out where all five of their fun flavours are available right now! They even sell to stores, cafes and restaurants, just in case you are a business owner and want to impress your customers.
Razzle Dazzle tubs
But what was this blog post supposed to be about? Oh, that’s right! Razzle Dazzle Ices are coming to Bowl For Oceans!
January 6, 2013 is the date where compassionate party goers are in for a big treat. Not only does their ticket purchase get them bowling, karaoke, music, pool tables and crisps by Barrow Boys, it now also gives them a chance to sample Razzle Dazzle Ices for free.
The company will be on hand to dish out their tasty wares to attendees and talk about how they create such delicious, cruelty-free delights.
If you have already purchased your tickets for this mammoth event, congratulations are in order because you are in for one fun day out in London. If you are yet to snap up your entry, act fast to ensure you are part of what is surely going to be one of the most-talked about events of Winter.
By now you are well aware of the giant fundraiser party called Bowl For Oceanstaking place on Sunday January 6, 2013 from midday until 5pm. I don’t need to tell you that we will be raising money for Sea Shepherd UK while bowling, listening to awesome DJs, performing karaoke and playing pool in a Central London location. You know all of this!
And you also know the party is being sponsored by Fry’s UK and Barrow Boys Crisps. Your knowledge also extends to being aware of the Facebook event page where you have RSVPd and invited all your friends. I won’t waste your time by telling you this again.
The only bit of info relating to the party that I’m not convinced you know is where to buy tickets. So here we go:
I think we have covered all you need to know. If I have missed anything out, fill me in. Otherwise, I will see you at Bowl For Oceans. I will be the one NOT singing karaoke!
The weather in London at the moment is not suited to dining by the river. Winds are getting chilly as temperatures sink. We were even gifted with an ever so light dusting of snow a few days ago.
Being forced indoors has prompted me to recall my last meal by the Thames prior to the sad weather descending on the capital. Even more depressingly, the meal was just as dull as the current weather situation.
As a sugar-loving vegan, certain times of the year are tougher than others.
My recent trips to grocery stores and supermarkets have been met by a familiar sight for this time of year. Christmas shopping frenzy means I am confronted by countless varieties of boxed chocolates, truffles and candy. This onslaught of boxed confection also sweeps through my life around Valentine’s Day, mothers day and an increasing number of commercialised celebrations.
As a fat, gay vegan all I wanna do is drop a few of these boxes into my basket as I waddle to the checkout. Until a few days ago, this was but a dream.
As you all are aware, the massive fundraiser party Bowl For Oceans is coming up on Sunday January 6, 2013 in Central London. This special event is taking place in order to raise money for Sea Shepherd UK and will be packed with fun activities such as bowling, karaoke and pool tables. There will even be DJs on hand to keep the day party rockin’.
Tickets for the party are available to buy online for the all-inclusive price of £11 plus booking fee. You can buy your tickets now!
Or….
How would you like a free ticket to the compassionate event of the Winter season?!
What do you get when you mix FGV, Google and a Mexican restaurant in Central London? A whole lot of delicious fun, that’s what!
I was recently approached by Google+ Local to host a vegan event in the capital. Of course you know all about Google+ Local, right? Local is a fully integrated way to share your experiences, read reviews, view maps, browse businesses and immerse yourself (and your friends) in your local area. I am already swamped by social media but I am slowly getting to grips with Local.
I’m glad Google asked me to get involved with organising a vegan event as it has been a great way to sink my teeth into their new service. I have been writing reviews for my favourite London locations, as well as contemplating the idea of hosting a hangout. If you like the idea of exploring your local area via Local, read all about it here.
There used to be a store I frequented as a younger person called Popcorn Palace. This maize emporium was located in a shopping mall on Australia’s Gold Coast and with my hometown just an hour or so away by car, my friends and I would often find ourselves buying bags of the good stuff.
Popcorn Palace was one of those places that believed in the mantra ‘more is more’. I used to marvel at the vast array of flavoured popcorn lining the shelves and always ended up buying more jumbo tubs than I could handle of the irresistible snacks. I remember the watermelon variety extremely fondly.
Thus commenced my lifelong love affair with popped corn.
Flash forward to a few years (decades?) later and popcorn still rules my roost. Popcorn is probably second only to potato in my most-loved category. I might not have Popcorn Palace in my life these days, but the good people of Bloom’s are working hard to keep my maize malaise at bay.
Some things are an acquired taste and whether you like them or not can depend on where you grew up. When I was a child, I adored Vegemite. I understand why people from outside Australia might not like it, but I couldn’t get enough of this savoury cousin of Marmite from down under.
I recently spoke with someone who couldn’t imagine anything more disgusting than fruit cake with marzipan frosting. I would eat so much of this at family weddings back in Brisbane that I would have to be carried to the car. The UK seems to share this history of wedding/Christmas cakes and I couldn’t be more pleased to discover Lazy Day Foods have launched this loved product in an accessible way.
Lazy Day Foods make me happy
My trip to As Nature Intended in Ealing Broadway a few days ago was a triumph in both nostalgia and deliciousness. Lazy Day have taken a slice of my childhood and turned it into vegan, gluten-free, finger-sized delights.
Cake and fruit and icing, oh my!
Get into your local health food provider or spend some time perusing the free from aisle in the supermarket to snap up these delights today. And when you are settled in with a few bars of marzipan-topped fruit cake and a cup of tea I want you to sit back, smile and think of FGV eating himself sick as a young wedding attendee back in Australia.
Are you available on Wednesday November 21, 2012 at 6:30pm? “Maybe” I hear you say? What if I told you I am hosting an event in conjunction with Google Local at a Mexican restaurant where all attendees will be treated to free vegan food and a tequila tasting? Of course you are available!
Eight people will join me in feasting on vegan Mexican delights and a sampling of fine tequilas picked out exclusively for our event. All at no cost to them.
How do you get an invite?
Get over to the Google event page and RSVP. Then follow the instructions on securing a place. I ate in the restaurant recently and believe me when I say you will adore the experience.
