London can you wait?

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.

I’ll be at Vegan Life Show

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If you can’t get enough of my self-involved online ramblings, how about watching me in person?

I am delighted to have been asked to talk at the first ever Vegan Life Live show taking place at Alexandra Palace in London on January 7 and 8, 2017 (my talk is on Sunday 8).

Click on the image above to visit the Vegan Life Live website.

My talk will be a journey through my life as a vegan blogger made up of a few anecdotes and sassy asides.

Topics I’m likely to cover include:

  • when and why I started living vegan
  • how I became FGV
  • why I stopped saying ‘cruelty free’
  • keeping progressive politics at the heart of my veganism
  • Dear FGV, Vegan River Cruises and Vegan Beer Fest UK – how I survive as a vegan blogger
  • the reasons why I blog and why you should too (including some how to tips)

Of course there will be plenty of time to ask questions and I’d love to hear from anyone who already has a ticket if they want to hear me discuss anything in particular.

The show itself looks fantastic with all sorts of food stands, information sessions, cooking demos and more. Even my favourite vegan brewery, Brass Castle, are going to be running a beer bar. I think it is going to be a big crowd having a lot of fun!

Hope to see a lot of readers there. Get show details here.

Vegan food and music event

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Looking for something unique to do in London next week?

Music Day UK is a not for profit organisation in the business of community-led music festivals and they have a fabulous dinner lined up in Haggerston next week.

md-final-front-knifeforkThe group is hosting a social evening with musical entertainment, a three course vegan meal and games. People will be served the vegan feast at tables while being entertained by some wonderful solo artists and tunes!

The event kicks off at 7pm on Friday December 16, 2016 and there are plenty of ticket options, including entry only or getting the full package with drinks included with your meal.

Click here for more information and get your tickets now.

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Breaking news: vegan fried chicken shop

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In the history of breaking news on this blog, I’m not sure I’ve ever written anything this exciting.

Sit down.

London, you are about to get the world’s first 100% vegan fried chicken shop.

OK. Now you can leap to your feet and fist pump like a champ. This news is seriously the most exciting thing to happen to anyone. EVER.

If you visit this part of the Internet with any regularity, you will know that I am obsessed with the crispy savoury perfection that is Temple of Seitan. Their range of deep fried seitan snacks, tubs of mac n cheese and filled sandwiches is in the top 5 things to eat on the planet in my (always humble) FGV opinion.

There is world class and then a little higher up in the clouds, there is Temple of Seitan.

Enough of this adulation. I asked Rebecca of Temple of Seitan to tell me what the heck is going on and she said:

In January 2017, we’ll be opening London’s (and maybe the world’s!) 1st 100% vegan chicken shop. We’re looking forward to providing a vegan alternative for Londoners craving a bit of takeaway.

She is so relaxed about it. I would have added in words such as ‘pioneers’, ‘earth-altering’ and ‘exceptionally unique’.

Clear all your January plans. Make room for the new fried chicken shop by Temple of Seitan.

This is not a drill.

Follow Temple of Seitan on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Extra note: Catch Temple of Seitan at my Vegan Christmas Market on Saturday December 17, 2017. Details here and you can RSVP on Facebook.

Vegan cakes at London markets

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I just got the best kind of email you can hope to receive. It was all about vegan cake.

There is a gorgeous vegan baking business in London called Vegan Delice and what they are putting out into the world deserves to be celebrated.

Check out some of these treats.

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I’m not sure about you, but there isn’t anything pictured above of which I wouldn’t eat at least two.

It’s all so dreamy.

I asked Chantal at Vegan Delice what goes on over at her baking headquarters and she said:

Passionate about the pleasure that my customers will feel when they are tasting my bakes, I ensure that the most important ingredient, ‘LOVE’ is always my present.

I take the time to make a lot of ingredients from scratch, such as my vanilla paste as its genuinely important to me that the products are 100% vegan, I also make my own raw chocolate that tastes similar to OMBAR (my inspiration) and I use this in a lot of my bakes to add a luxurious flavour.

I specialise in vegan cupcakes, doughnuts, cookies, as well as Cypriot style baked goods too. They are made from organic and locally sourced produce were available. I also include a sugar free, gluten free, and soy free range.

Do you like what you see and hear?

Vegan Delice will be trading at the Tottenham Green Market on December 3, 11 and 18, 2016 and at the Myddleton Road Festival on December 4, 2016.

Keep track of Vegan Delice via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Now available to mainland UK

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Here are two pieces of HUGE news in one blog post.

Part one:

Adored vegan meat company Moodley Manor is now shipping to mainland UK customers. Their sausages, bacon and burgers have been firm favourites in Ireland (where they are made) and Northern Ireland for a while, but now the rest of us can enjoy the taste loved by so many.

Click here to visit the website and place an order for delivery.

News part two:

In an FGV exclusive, Moodley Manor is heading to London to trade at my very first Vegan Christmas Market.

Ais and Gav will be packing up the van and heading across the water to delight crowds on Saturday December 17, 2016. Market shoppers will be able to buy packs of bacon, sausages and burgers, as well as the lauded Moodley roast that by all accounts is massive and delicious.

Bring a shopping bag because you are going to want to stock up in a serious way.

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I’m am absolutely stoked to have Moodley Manor at my event. I will be buying two of everything. And I’m even happier to know that anyone in the UK not able to make it along to the Vegan Christmas Market in London will be able to order their own goodies online.

And just a extra sliver of exciting news, Moodley Manor will also be selling their famed garlic mayo at my event and online. I love that the jar claims it is perfect with chips! I will be putting that to the test.

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Are you excited?

Follow Moodley Manor on Facebook and Twitter.

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Exclusive at Vegan Christmas Market

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My first ever Vegan Christmas Market is coming up close at a rapid speed and I’m beyond thrilled with the fabulous vendor line up I have gathered together.

If you missed the initial announcement of food traders, you can get updated by clicking here.

But this blog post belongs to only one piece of news.

In a London exclusive, award winning vegan meat company Sgaia will be trading at the Vegan Christmas Market in London on Saturday December 17, 2016.

Sgaia is nothing short of a phenomenon. This company burst onto the UK vegan scene only a short while ago and has quickly developed into one of the finest brands on the planet.

But what will they be selling at the Xmas event?

You will be able to get your hands on their brand new festive fillet. This gorgeous looking slice of vegan meat is perfect for rolling and filling with your favourite filling as a roast dinner centrepiece.

Check it out!

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In addition to this AMAZING festive fillet, Sgaia will also be selling ready to consume sandwiches stuffed solid with all sorts of tempting seasonal fillings.

sandwich_smlI predict a stampede for this food. Sgaia will also be selling other packs of their incredible slices and burgers, so bring a few shopping bags.

Get over to the Facebook event for Vegan Christmas Market, invite your friends, dress warm and get there early on the day so you don’t miss out.

You also need to follow Sgaia on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Order your own home delivery of their food via their website if you can’t join us on the day.

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Vegan bubble tea in Stratford

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Here is a super quick post to tell you about a bubble tea shop based in Stratford that is serving up lots of cups of vegan bubble tea.

Bubbles & Tea London is situated in the older Stratford shopping centre, just across the road from the mammoth Westfield centre in east London.

I’ve picked one of their latest tweets to give you a sneak preview of what they serve up and to be honest, it all looks so tasty I had a difficult time choosing just one shot.


Do you love bubble tea? Follow Bubbles & Tea London on Twitter and visit them soon!

Extra note: the Twitter account looks very quiet but I have been assured they are still doing a roaring trade over there. Maybe a few new follows will convince them to get back on the Twitter express.

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Vegan Christmas Market announcement

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As you have probably heard, I am teaming up with Hackney Downs Studios to bring London a super-fun and tasty Vegan Christmas Market on Saturday December 17, 2016.

The market is going to be rammed solid with some of the finest vegan food in the country and I’m so very excited to let you know about a few of the attractions.

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Please give a warm welcome to the first batch of confirmed stallholders for the Vegan Christmas Market:

Peanut Butter Bakery – adored vegan bakery stall certain to be swamped for their Christmas-themed treats. I’ve heard rumours of Xmas donuts. Follow them on Instagram.

Essential Vegan – always a sold out event for these caterers. Plenty of cakes that fans will be used to with some surprise festive twists as well. Follow them on Instagram.

Battered – this is a Vegan Christmas Market exclusive. The vegan fish and chips truck is driving to the capital ONLY for this event. Be one of the first in London to try their amazing food. Follow them on Twitter.

Temple of Seitan – if you don’t know how incredibly amazing this food company is, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Deep fried done to perfection. Follow them on Instagram.

Rupert’s Street – the unmissable bright yellow truck featuring Emily cooking up hearty winter warmers. Follow them on Instagram.

Mouse’s Favourite – the vegan cheese company taking over London is going to be well stocked with all your festive cheese needs. Bring a shopping bag for this stall! Follow them on Instagram.

That’s it for now. I don’t want to overwhelm you.

We have plenty more announcements to come so be certain to scribble the date in your diary and stay tuned for updates.

You will not want to be anywhere else as one of the best vegan food lineups in the country crash lands in Hackney for one day only.

RSVP to the Facebook event and be sure to invite friends. The event is free entry. It is an outdoor market in winter so please dress warmly.

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Hackney vegan

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London, don’t go getting getting delusions of grandeur and start thinking you are some sort of vegan capital now.

Latest plant-based news to reach my fat ears involves a pop up catering company switching from selling fish and dairy to trading in vegan food only. How fab!

Pesky’s are currently serving up delicious vegan diner-style comfort food at super trendy The Yard theatre in Hackney Wick. Get along until December 10, 2016 to taste their newly vegan menu.

Pesky’s themselves told me their favourite dish is the ‘buffalo cauliflower tacos’. They also do the buffalo cauliflower ‘flyers’ as a side, which are a vegan equivalent to buffalo chicken wings. Other sides include vegan mac ’n’ cheeze bites with sriracha, as well as triple cooked chips with a special salt blend.

What?! Triple cooked chips with a special salt blend? HOLY SHIT I NEED THAT IN MY LIFE.

Their signature dish is the original ‘Argy Bhaji Burger’ which is a large spiced bhaji burger with mango and chilli salsa.


If you can’t get along before Pesky’s shut up shop on December 10, don’t fret.

The now-forever-vegan food business has been invited back to The Yard to set up PERMANENTLY from February 2017.

Yep, London you are set to have another full time vegan food trader. Click here to see where The Yard is located.

Celebrate this news by buying food from Pesky’s and following them on Instagram.

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