Vegan wings eating competition

Have you ever felt you would excel at competitive eating but there just haven’t been enough vegan opportunities?

Well, say hello to Biff’s Jack Shack’s 1st Annual Vegan Wings Eating Competition.

National Wing Day is on Thursday 22nd March and not only will Biff’s be offering 50% off all wingz, they’ll be putting on a wingz party at Haunt London featuring the UK’s first vegan wings eating comp.

Actually, unless someone can prove otherwise I’m confident in declaring this the world’s first vegan wings eating competition.

Four challengers will get to eat their way through a bucket of ten of their crispy fried jackfruit wingz, slathered in special hot chipotle sauce.

The champion will get Jack Shack tees and swag for them and their crew, food for two at the Haunt, the coveted GOLDEN BUCKET, and a place in history.

If you want to take the challenge, you must:

👉 1. Follow Biff’s Jack Shack on Instagram
👉 2. Tag two wing-people that you’d bring down with you on the night in this post
👉 3. Tell the wing makers what makes you the ultimate wing fiend in a comment below the Instagram post

If the eating challenge isn’t for you, you should still get along to enjoy cheap wings and support independent vegan business.

Gorgeous pop up event for London

Do you know Greedy Khao?

If you do, you will understand that this pop up event is not to be missed.

If you are unfamiliar, this March 31 food event is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted.

‘A Plant-Powered Journey through Thailand’ will take diners on a culinary tour from the Southern provinces, famous for seafood and spiciness, through the melting pot of Bangkok, and up to the fresh, zesty North East.

Faai of Greedy Khao says“North Eastern (Isaan) Thai food has seen increased popularity in recent years, so we want to shed the spotlight on some of Thailand’s other regions, while proving that vegan Thai food can be just as bold, complex, and moreish as its meaty alternative”.

They have the tickets up on Eventbrite (here) so get buying. Don’t miss out!

Exclusive vegan cheese now in London grocery chain

By now you would have heard all about New Roots.

This Switzerland-made range of vegan cheeses took London by storm when it was previewed at VegfestUK late in 2017 and ever since vegans have been scrambling to get their hands on their products.

The camembert made by New Roots is next level and their other divine cheeses aren’t far behind. It is no wonder people have been hunting all over the capital for this stuff.

Well, the hunt for New Roots just got that little bit easier now that they have signed a deal to be sold in Planet Organic stores around London.

You can get along to the following in store tasting sessions to try some of this cheese glory for yourself and of course buy a few of the flavours:

  • Thursday March 8th – 4pm until 7pm – Islington N1 8LR
  • Friday March 9th – 4pm until 7pm – Devonshire Square EC2M 4AE
  • Saturday March 10th – 11am until 2pm – Torrington Place WC1E 7HJ
  • Saturday March 10th – 4pm until 7pm – Westbourne Grove W2 5SH
  • Sunday March 11th – 11am until 2pm – Wandsworth SW18 4FT
  • Sunday March 11th – 3pm until 6pm – Tottenham Court Road W1 1BJ
  • Thursday March 29th – 12pm until 3pm – TottenhamCourt Road W1 1BJ
  • Saturday March 31st – 2pm until 5pm – Muswell Hill N10 3HS

There are a lot of opportunities to try this cheese, so get along to at least one of these tastings in March.

You can follow New Roots on Instagram and if you can’t make it along to the tastings, shop online with the superstar vegan cheese company.

Vegan International Women’s Day

Calling all London people.

8th March, 2018 is International Women’s Day and a collective of women-led vegan food businesses are getting together to collaborate on a one-off menu at the Spread Eagle London.


Apart from serving up tasty vegan food, they are giving 100% of all the money made (none of them will take any money to cover costs) to a charity called Working Chance. This charity supports women leaving the criminal justice system, helping them to get back into the workforce and break the poverty and re-offence cycle by pairing them up with employees.

The menu is fabulous:

  • ARRIVAL – glass of prosecco/Old Blue Last beer – The Spread Eagle
  • STARTER – chorizo and purple potato tacos with pickled chiles, avocado salsa verde, and lime – I Will Kill Again x Club Mexicana
  • MAIN – jackfruit jelfrezi torta with pink onions, pickled chiles, and sour cream raita, served with tortilla chips and salsa – Spice Box x Club Mexicana
  • PUDDING – warm chocolate chile mud pie with vanilla ice cream – Young Vegans x Club Mexicana

Click here to book your table on the Spread Eagle website for anytime after 6pm on March 8th and be part of their big ‘fuck you’ to patriarchy and big businesses cashing in on women and veganism. Don’t be fooled by other markets and pop ups trying to ride the promo wave of International Women’s Day.

Follow Club Mexicana, Spice Box, I Will Kill Again, The Spread Eagle, and Young Vegans on Instagram.

If you would like to support Working Chance charity but cannot attend this event, please consider donating online.

Incredible 5-course event

Join Itis for an evening of vegan food and Caribbean party vibes on Friday March 23, 2018 in SE15.

The food experts will be serving a gourmet 5-course meal, created by their own executive chef. The Caribbean-inspired menu will include the region’s flavours combined with their chef’s own personal twist. They’ll have island music and drinks going all night.

THE FOOD

  • Trini-Style Corn Soup: A traditional street food made with split peas, pieces of corn, coconut milk and fresh herbs and spices
  • Pholourie: Fried, spiced dough balls served with a tamarind sauce
  • Salad: Mixed leaves, rocket, beetroot, cherry tomatoes and carrots served with a fruity vinaigrette
  • Jerk Shrimp Pasta: Linguini tossed in our homemade mild jerk-cream sauce, with red and green peppers, corn, onions and mushroom topped with vegan jumbo shrimp
  • Dessert: Oreo base cheesecake with fruit coulis

THE DRINKS

A glass of Caribbean Rum Punch and a non-alcoholic glass of homemade sorrel juice will be served. They will also have a bar serving Caribbean cocktails and drinks for you to purchase additional drinks from on the night if you wish

Itis always make a huge impression when they trade at Hackney Downs Vegan Market so I feel confident in saying you don’t want to miss this 5-course extravaganza taking place in southeast London.

Click here NOW to buy tickets.

Follow Itis on Instagram and Facebook.

A vegan potluck returns

If you are new around these parts, you might not remember that I used to run a vegan potluck.

London Vegan Potluck was a wonderful community event where people shared homemade vegan food, socialised with new friends, and perhaps got some cooking inspiration.

It was a fun, low cost and informal way for people to celebrate their veganism in a time before weekly markets and vegan nights.

London Vegan Potluck ran every month for four years and then I got overworked. We had to bring it to an end and London has mostly been devoid of vegan potlucks ever since.

But there is a new one on the horizon by some people named Anna and Amy.

Check out this info about the one-time-only vegan potluck in London:

The Nourishing Vegan Club is inspired by a love of food, passion for wellness & desire to bring like minded people together. So on Saturday 17th March we’re holding a vegan potluck afternoon at Jaz & Jul’s (a.k.a chocolate heaven) in London.

Bring a homemade vegan dish/cake, come with an appetite and be prepared to feast! Tickets are £5 (or £8 without bringing a dish) and spaces are limited so grab yours while they’re fresh out the oven!
Please message one of us to secure your place 🙂

Jaz & Jul’s is located on Chapel Market, close to Angel Underground Station.

You can RSVP and get all the necessary details over on the Facebook event page.

Three food items not to be missed

I rarely focus on individual food items at Hackney Downs Vegan Market when it comes to my blog, but this week (Saturday February 24, 2018) it is a different situation.

There are three things I feel you MUST know about.

Number one is the Spanish omelette by La Buenaventura. I can’t get my head around how they make something so amazing but they do and you should buy it.

They sell these incredible packaged omelettes for you to take home alongside their stunning vegan chorizo.

Thing number two? Fudge!

London Maker Chocolate is relatively new to our market but they are making waves with their treats and more waves are expected this week due to refined sugar free fudge topped with raw chocolate.

I don’t know about you, but I need this right about NOW!

Finally, reason number three why you should definitely not miss Hackney Downs Vegan Market this week.

Get an eyeful of this pie!

Young Vegans are famous for innovative and irresistible savoury pies but I think they have outdone themselves this week.

Say hello to their Meatball Marinara and Cheese Pie. This is a market exclusive and will be in limited numbers. I’m actually a little teary and emotional over this one.

See the full trader line up (and other details) for Hackney Downs Vegan Market online here.

Gorgeous vegan pop up for London

London. I’m here to warn you to move quickly.

Denai of Dee’s Table always does amazingly well whenever she appears, so this one night only pop up supper club is going to have them rushing in.

Denai’s take on modern Jamaican cuisine is delicious and this menu for her Ultimate Vegan Ribs Feast taking place at 10 Cable Street on February 23, 2018 is the stuff of dreams.

What’s on the menu?

  • Jackfruit Ribs
  • Ginger Beer BBQ Sauce
  • Mac & Cheese with Thyme Bread Crumb
  • Smokey Homemade BBQ Beans
  • Roasted Squash Hominy Cornbread
  • Whole roasted potatoes
  • Corn on the cob
  • And Salads

Dessert to share:

  • Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Pizookie
  • Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Salted Caramel Sauce

This is a Friday night in London and the food is stunning, so click here to book your spot NOW!

You can follow Dee’s Table on Instagram.

Queer Vegan Yoga

Queer Vegan Yoga is here.

Following on from many talks I’ve had with friends and people I’ve met at events around London, it became clear to me that our city needs a body positive yoga class designed for the LGBTQ+ community and our friends.

I also wanted it to be delivered and taught by a vegan.

Queer Vegan Yoga is a collaboration between Fat Gay Vegan, yoga teacher Tatum De Roeck, and venue The Well Garden located at Hackney Downs Studios (home of Hackney Downs Vegan Market).

Starting as a special event on Saturday March 10, 2018, Queer Vegan Yoga is an affordable space for people to explore what yoga can do for them even if they have felt excluded from other yoga classes in the past.

Spots are £12 and you can book for either 1:00pm or 2:30pm by clicking here.

This class is for all body types with a ‘vegan lesbian yoga teacher’ who is committed to inclusive teaching. Here is a little bit about Tatum:

Tatum was a Londoner living in LA picking up lots of jobs and cliches, she was an actress/waitress and a vegan lesbian yoga teacher. Then she got some cancer and her relationship with yoga changed. Her mat became a place of sanctuary, she couldn’t do all the poses but her mat was a place that accepted her even when bald, itchy, tired and sore. She now lives in London and is passionate about creating fun classes in which everyone can be themselves. She believes we don’t need to adapt our bodies into yoga poses but rather yoga should adapt to each of us.

Tatum and FGV

Queer Vegan Yoga is a class committed to exploring yoga that is beneficial to each individual regardless of body size, gender identity, or sexuality.

The first sessions of Queer Vegan Yoga will take place at The Well Garden on Saturday March 10, 2018 at 1:00-2:00pm and then 2:30-3:30pm. You can book a spot for either of these classes online now.

You can also RSVP and invite friends over on the Facebook event page.

You can now go to an inclusive yoga class AND the best vegan food market in London on the same day!

Vegan slipper making workshop

How about a Vegan Slipper Making Workshop, London?

Get along to The Canvas Café on Sunday February 4, 2018 between midday and 2pm for a slipper making class with Juta Shoes.

Handcraft your own espadrille slippers using reclaimed vegan materials and sustainable jute soles… and you might as well eat delicious food from the now 100% vegan café!

What you’ll do:

  • Choose from stock of reclaimed and upcycled vegan materials
  • Learn to shape and pin your shoe to the sole
  • Handstitch the upper to the sole with waxed linen thread

What’s included:

Experienced makers offer expert instruction and support, and everyone walks out in their own pair of slides. All materials are provided and no experience necessary. The vegan material is reclaimed from donated coats and bags, and Juta will bring a range of colours and textures for you to choose from. They use premium jute soles sourced from southern Spain, which are thick, robust, and comfortable.

 

Click here to book your workshop ticket.