London vegan news, reviews & events
Cookies & Scream in Camden isn’t just one of the best bakeries in the UK. I’d put my money on it being one of the finest on the planet.
This point of view was only strengthened today by my discovery of their new tiramisu creation. I was gobsmacked. The pie filling was decadent, gooey and delicious, while the cream topping was second to none.
Buy this pie.
You can follow me on Instagram for more photos on the go.
**MAJOR UPDATE**
I wanted to tell you that all attendees at London Vegan Breakfast Club will receive a 10% off voucher to be used on the day in nearby vegan boutique Vx. Follow Vx on Twitter.
Also, attendees will be served Mirabilia Organic Olive Leaf Tea and will get a free sample pack to take home. Follow Mirabilia on Twitter.
Your meal (if you attend) will include sausages by Fry’s Vegetarian, tofu by Soyfoods and organic baked beans by Mr Organic.
**MAJOR UPDATE END**
I like to create situations where people can eat a lot of tasty vegan food. It’s my thing.
So get ready for the next BIG vegan food event, London.
At 10am on Saturday 22nd February, 2014, I will be joined in central London by 40 hungry breakfast fanatics for a mouthwatering vegan fry up like no other.
I have teamed up with my friends Shambhu’s Vegan Catering to craft a community event set in an open plan kitchen and canteen just minutes on foot from bustling King’s Cross Station. This is more than just a breakfast. It is a chance to socialise with London vegans while enjoying a decadent meal crafted by one of the leading vegan catering companies in the UK.
So what’s on the menu?
Your breakfast plate will feature:
– Succulent vegan sausages
– Scrambled tofu (Shambhu’s style) made with organic tofu
– Organic baked beans (delicately enhanced with secret spices)
– Irresistible garlic mushrooms
– Decadent fried wholemeal bread
– Crunchy hash browns
– Wilted spinach & cherry tomato warmed slightly
In addition to this scrumptious serving, you will be able to drink fairtrade or organic tea (breakfast, rooibos or green) and coffee to your heart’s content. Not a hot drink fan? Orange juice will be available by the jug, too.
This is going to be an extremely popular event so please don’t hesitate with booking. There are no hidden fees. Tickets just £15 and that includes your food and any drinks you want.
Join the Fat Gay Vegan email subscriber list to be the first to know of upcoming events.
Contact me for child tickets
I would like to offer you the choice of hearing the good news or the bad news first, but to be honest I only have devastating news.
I am decidedly depressed to break the news that Saf Restaurant & Bar located in Whole Foods Market Kensington is set to close forever.
Remember how I raved about Mella Cafe on Oxford Street? I was so excited to share news of a completely vegan eatery serving up tasty, healthy food in the centre of the capital.
Well, there is some sad news to be shared. I just received the following message from Lynda via Facebook:
“I’m working in Berners St from today so I went along to Mella just now (for the first time – very excited) and it was all boarded up down there. The Bureau de Change man said yesterday was their last day and the landlord came to see the owner. He doesn’t know what was said, but that was that.”
Thanks to Lynda for the heads up but this is such a shame. I would love to know what happened and if the people behind Mella plan on resurfacing elsewhere. Anybody know?
You gotta support vegan businesses, people!
Some things slip past me. I’m not infallible when it comes to knowing about all the vegan food in London. I try my best to eat everything on offer, but I am just one FGV.
Overlooking a vegan option would be excusable if we are talking about a tiny cafe tucked away in the backstreets of an outer suburb, but not when it comes to a chain of cafes with approximately 200 locations worldwide… with two locations within ten minutes of my front door!
The two Le Pain Quotidien outlets near my house somehow managed to escape my attention for a while, but I will definitely be popping in to try their vegan options often after my experience last week. I was casually strolling past the Notting Hill location of this global chain when a little carrot image at the bottom of their menu caught my eye.
Instead of the expected ‘suitable for vegetarians’, I was faced with ‘100% botanical/vegan’. I quickly hurried inside.
I’m not going to be hysterical and say these people are the saviours of high street vegan dining, but the few offerings were very well thought out. My trio of hummus mezze was fresh, tasty and difficult to finish due to size. The beetroot, green pea and chickpea varieties of hummus were nicely accompanied by fresh vegetables and bread.
The cafe proudly state on their menu they always have a selection of vegan muffins and the rotating monthly specials always seem to include a ‘botanical’ option.
You will need to dig a little deeper into your purse than some eateries require, but healthy and thoughtful eating for vegans has certainly got a good friend in Le Pain Quotidien.
Four nights in central London. Four visiting chefs. All vegan. This multi-night food event is a celebration of vegan cuisine from all over the globe and something food lovers certainly do not want to miss.
Spread across Friday nights in March 2014, Around the World with FGV is a collaboration between London’s leading vegan event planner and four of the finest vegan cooks in the UK.
Each night will be an intimate affair accommodating only six diners. The menu for each event has been personally created by the visiting chef, who will also handcraft the meal on their corresponding night. The dining experience is to be hosted by Fat Gay Vegan (that’s me!) in his home.
Who is doing the cooking and what are they making? Hold on to your hats!
How about a roller disco in London on a Sunday afternoon to raise money for ocean defenders Sea Shepherd UK? You got it! Blogger and event planner Fat Gay Vegan (that’s me!) brings you a party like the UK capital has never seen before under the name Skate for Oceans.
Here’s a quick public service announcement.
Did you know I started a Meetup group for people in London who identify as LGBT and vegan? The group has been running for just over a year and our outings have included trips to the pub, overeating in Camden and even a stroll around an art gallery.
The photo above shows a bunch of us from the group crowding out Koshari Street in central London recently. Future plans include a language exchange, a regular book swap and of course lots of vegan eating.
If any of the above sounds like a good time to you, please get on over to the Meetup group and sign up. We would love to have you join us!
My friend Jess wrote to me a few days back to let me know about a new vegan business that has popped up in central London.
I won’t get a chance to get along to their opening but thought it would be an idea to spread the word in case you can make it. It sounds lovely.
So, what is the scoop?
LabOrganic Opening Party this Sunday!
This all day event will take place at the brand new store in central London (58 Neal street, London WC2H 9PA) from 10am – 6pm on Sunday 19th January 2014.
Visit on the day to try a large selection of unique and delicious cold-pressed organic juices, superfood blends, mylks, health boosters, salads, raw snacks & much more.
You will meet many like-minded healthy Londoners and hear from the LabOrganic founders about the upcoming news & events at 4pm.
Above is the official word from the company. I reached out to them via Twitter and they confirmed that everything they sell is vegan and gluten-free. I am intrigued.
Report back here if you make it down to the opening.
Looking for something meaningful and profound to do this Valentine’s Day? Get on down to this Sea Shepherd UK presentation taking place in central London.
Join the marine conservation society to hear all about its work and exciting new campaign, Operation GrindStop 2014. This summer, Sea Shepherd is returning to the Faroe Islands to put an end to the senseless slaughter of thousands of marine mammals and this information session is part of a national speaking tour designed to raise awareness of the campaign.
Full details of the event can be found on the Facebook event page.
Also, stay tuned for details of my giant roller disco raising funds for Sea Shepherd UK.
Follow Sea Shepherd UK on Twitter
