London can you wait?

Vevolution topics

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If you like to hear other people share ideas and knowledge, this series of events could be of interest.

You might know that Vevolution is an annual information event designed as a platform for vegan people to share expertise or insights within their chosen fields. But of course the problem with an annual event means you have to wait a full year for it to come around.

There is some good news for fans of the Vevolution set-up and that good news is the short series of events being lined up by the festival founders. You don’t have to wait that full year!

The sessions (called Vevolution Topics) are split into four categories that include Food Innovation in February, Health & Wellbeing in March, Activism & Campaigning in April and Inclusivity & Diversity in May.

The February session costs £10 (plus booking fee) and speakers will include:

  • Ian Theasby & Henry David Firth – Founders of Facebook vegan video food channel BOSH!
  • Sarah Bentley – Founder of plant based community kitchen Made In Hackney
  • Jonathan Petrides – Founder of plant-based home delivery vegan meals allplants

If you can’t afford the £10 entry or you are not within the London area, the organisers assure me the sessions will be filmed for sharing online in the near future.

You can click here to get more information and book your tickets.

How about a vegan potluck?

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I’ve got some news for all those people who reminisce of the days when we had London Vegan Potluck.

No, the much-loved monthly event that ran for four years is not returning. Instead, you can get along to this one-off fab potluck feast event being hosted by MOTHER in Hackney Wick.

MOTHER is a brand new plant-based juice works and café, so you need to know about them to start with before we even get to this potluck feast.

The potluck feast on January 21, 2017 means whether you’re a vegan or a non-vegan you can enjoy an evening of shared food, culinary inspiration and entertainment at MOTHER.

The principle is simple. Bring your own vegan dish and share with your fellow diners.

MOTHER will be providing the organic vegan main, but it obviously become a feast with all your starters and desserts.

You need to buy tickets for this event in advance, so click here to get yours.

RSVP to the Facebook event and be sure to like the MOTHER Facebook page.

Vegan Burns supper in London

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Do you know about Burns Night?

You can read in more detail here, but the short version revolves around a dinner or supper held to mark the birthday of celebrated Scottish poet Robert Burns.

This celebration is something I always see people talking about on social media throughout January, usually people I know in Scotland.

But now there is some good news for those wanting to commemorate the revered bard’s birthday in London.

There is a vegan supper club happening in London on January 22, 2017 that is billed as an alternative Burns Supper fusing Scottish and Indian cuisine.

Tickets: £35 for 3 courses including a cocktail and entertainment
Venue: The Joker of Penton St, Angel, London
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm

The good people putting this night together go by the name of Ruby and Pickles, and they are known for hosting some very special and unique food events. Did you miss their vegan Indian-style afternoon tea on a canal boat in Victoria Park? Never fear, they plan to revisit that event during 2017 due to overwhelming popularity.

In the meantime, you need to be extremely fast if you want to secure a spot for the Alternative Burns Supper.

Tickets are on sale now via Edible Experiences.

Keep up to date with future Ruby and Pickles happenings on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

BREAKING NEWS: fried chicken location

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When I broke news of Temple of Seitan announcing plans to open the UK’s first ever fried chicken shop, it set off shock waves around the vegan Internet.

People went absolutely wild for the news.

In keeping with my tradition of bringing the most fun news first, here is the scoop on just exactly where the fried chicken shop will be AND the official opening date.

Temple of Hackney

Grand opening: Saturday January 14, 2017 at midday

Address: 10 Morning Lane, Hackney E9 6NA

How amazing is the name?! What you can see above is a sneak preview of the inside wall of the shop.

I asked Rebecca of Temple of Seitan (and of course Temple of Hackney) how she was feeling ahead of the launch. Here is what she told me:

It is equal parts excitement and anxiety! We can’t wait to share the fruits of our labour over the last 3 months. The past year of doing stalls and festivals has gone so quickly and we almost couldn’t believe it was real when the signage and graphics went up today. In store, people can expect the usual fast food experience, except that they will be free to attack all items on the menu without having to worry about ingredients. Hopefully, we can fool a few omnis who stumble in as well.

Temple of Hackney, people. Make it your place of worship.

Click here to see the shop location on Google Maps.

Follow Temple of Seitan on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Discount for Veganuary

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How would you like 15% discount at three of the finest food outlets in London throughout January?

Yes!

All you need to do to save 15% on any dish or any meal deal at CookDaily, Home and CookDaily Croydon is to show up and order.

No secret handshake. No confusing codes. Good for January 2017 in celebration of Veganuary.

Vegan dining in Tooting

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I don’t know if I have ever been to Tooting or even if I’m properly aware of its geographic positioning, but that doesn’t stop my excitement on hearing the rave reviews for a new vegan restaurant in the area.

Vegan Express is a fresh addition to the quickly growing vegan food scene of London.

Visit the restaurant website to marvel at the tempting menu that includes delicacies such as seitan stroganoff, fish and chips, and even raw tiramisu.

The prices are a few pounds more than your neighbourhood café will be charging, but the runaway rave reviews appearing all over social media make me think the menu is priced accordingly.

You can follow Vegan Express on Facebook and Twitter.

You can see where Vegan Express is located thanks to Google Maps.

Two for one tickets

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Hey!

The huge Vegan Life Live show is rolling into London on January 7 and 8, 2016.

This is the first outing for the show put on by the publishers of Vegan Life magazine and will feature new product displays, a beer bar run by the amazing Brass Castle, cooking demos, a food court and presentations.

The presentation part of the line up is how I am involved in the show. Come along to see me talk about how I became a vegan blogger, why I do what I do plus a few other sassy anecdotes.

If you want to attend Vegan Life Live London, here is a special deal just for friends of Fat Gay Vegan.

Click here to buy a 2-for-1 ticket. That’s right! Buy one of these special tickets and two people can enter on it. Save money!

Extra note: I don’t mind if you use this deal to enter but don’t watch my talk on the Sunday. I won’t be offended!

Autumn Yard goes vegan: one day only!

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If you thought my Vegan Christmas Market was enticing enough already, you are about to get another very persuasive reason to join me and a few thousand vegans in Hackney tomorrow (Saturday, December 17, 2016).

There is a brand new, gorgeous café and bar on the site of the market called Autumn Yard. The venue has been lovingly fitted out inside one of the old warehouses on the Hackney Downs Studios lot and it really is a beautiful space.

Autumn Yard features a large dining room and bar, as well as housing special pop-up events and happenings. There is a store inside the venue selling decadent cakes and gourmet pantry items.

The new dining space is getting into the festive swing with us plant-eaters by turning their food menu 100% vegan for the day to help us celebrate Vegan Christmas Market.

If you fancy a break from the jostling market crowds, make your way inside the restaurant for a proper sit down meal with table service.

On the menu for Autumn Yard tomorrow?

Starters

  • Falafel & Salsa Verde
  • Rosemary Butterbeans
  • Orange & Carrot, Roast Cumin Soup

Mains

  • Vegan Burger (sweet potato, beans & lentils) & Polenta Chips
  • Vegan Curry
  • Stuffed Butternut Squash

Desserts

  • Warm Chocolate Brownie
  • Banana Ice-cream
  • Roast Pineapple

Drinks

  • Vegan Coffees (almond & soy milk)
  • Apple Spiced rum

Cakes for the store

  • Vegan Cake pops
  • Vegan Tomato Cake
  • Vegan cookies
  • Pumpkin & Almond Cakes

So, now you have to struggle with the decision of what to buy from the incredible line up of vendors we have in the outdoor market as well as leaving enough tummy space to dine with one of London’s brightest new non-vegan restaurants as it goes vegan for one day only!

I almost feel like I need to apologise for the dilemma I’m putting you in. This could very well be the finest day for vegan food London has ever witnessed.

See Autumn Yard online, like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram. Hey, why not give them a shout out online and say thanks for joining our vegan party? And keep checking in with them for ongoing vegan menu items and specials.

All images on this page are courtesy of Autumn Yard, so don’t steal them like I did.

All the food

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Vegan Christmas Market is days away and food menus are starting to roll in.

Do you want a sneak preview of what the vendors will be serving up?

Keep scrolling to find out!

Essential Vegan – Bounty cake, Blueberry cake, eclairs, cheesecake, almond crunchy cake, lemon peanut butter cake, coffee walnut cake, coconut biscuit, “honey” cake bites, lebkuchen, cookbook and cheese (two flavours)

Mouses’s Favourite – Artisan nut based cheeses in five varieties

Sgaia Vegan Meats – Food to take away: artisan mheat and cheeze sandwiches with sage & onion mayo, charcuterie, smoked provolone, cranberry sauce. Retail packs: our Christmas Fillets, steaks, charcuterie and award winning bacon

Heart of Cake – Festive Cupcakes, macarons, chocolate pie and boozy mince pies

GreenBay Supermarket – Christmas hampers, chocolates and cookies

Young Vegans – Hot pie and mash (pie fillings: seitan and ale + GF shepherds pie) + GF peanut butter brownies + mince pies

Temple of Seitan – Roast Chick’n + Crackling Roll, Fried Chick’n Strip Roll

Club Mexicana – BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Burritos & Tacos, Fully Loaded Cheezy Nachos, Deep Fried Cheeze Fries

Just Fab – Side panelle, lasagne, fries, Xmas bombs, mini arancini, panelle burger, Just wrap, Vegamisù

Clarkshaws Brewing – limited edition white IPA on draught along with a range of regular ales and lager, and bottles and gifts to take home

Arancini Brothers – 3 x different vegan burgers, smoky paprika fries. Risotto balls with tomato Chutney

Rupert’s Street – Sweet Potato Cottage Pie, Cashew Curry, Roast Vegetable Soup, Beetroot Latke

Viva La Vegan – statement wear tees, badges, Christmas cards, accessories

Battered – Fish and chips, Half a fried chicken, battered sausage, battered pies, mushy peas, curry sauce, tartare sauce

58 Gin – Mulled cider, Gin, chocolate negroni and bars of chocolate

Moodley Manor – retail packs of bacon, burgers, roasts and garlic mayo

Peanut Butter Bakery – Brioche donuts with various toppings, brownies and gift package brownies

Happy Cat Coffee – coffee, tea and hot chocolate

Do you think you can get through all of that?!

Onsite non-vegan restaurant Autumn Yard is turning their food menu 100% vegan for the day. See details here.

The market starts at 11am on Saturday December 17, 2016. Check this page for more details and RSVP to the Facebook event.

Bring cash and card as some vendors don’t accept both. There are plenty of gluten free options and will be marked clearly.

Viva La Vegan

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Here is a spot of news not only for people attending my Vegan Christmas Market this weekend, but for those looking for quirky, cute and fun clothing accessories with a bold vegan angle.

Voted Best Vegan Fashion Brand 2015 and 2016 in the UK Vegan Awards and Best Vegan Clothing in the Vegfest Awards 2016, Viva La Vegan is an upbeat vegan statement wear brand of apparel and accessories.

The company was born from their love of animals, a desire to positively promote veganism and a commitment to do their bit for the planet all while looking good. The VLV team are a committed bunch of vegans and eco ambassadors who tell me they are not interested in stereotypes, just a love of style and contemporary fashion. And helping animals!

Of course you can shop with Viva La Vegan via their website, but you can also get your hands on their cute Xmas-themed badges, greeting cards and their regular (and very popular) clothing at Vegan Christmas Market this Saturday in Hackney (December 17, 2017).

You can also follow Viva La Vegan on Facebook and Twitter.