Eat well with Ms Cupcake

There appears to be a new tradition for Ms. Cupcake when it comes to attending VegfestUK London.

Of course the superstar bakery piles tables high with sugary delights and treats, but the Brixton-based business also makes it a priority these days to turnout a decent showing of savoury comfort food.

As the huge Vegfest rolls back into town this weekend (Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October, 2016), the Ms. Cupcake team will be serving up these three delicious dishes.

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Let’s discuss what you can see.

Top of the picture shows the drool-worthy fully loaded nachos, bottom left is a stunning bowl of mac ‘n’ cheese with toppings, while the final panel highlights the decadent sloppy Joe with creamy cheese sauce.

Wowsers!

You will find the savoury catering food shown above on stand CAT6 while all your favourite sweet Ms. Cupcake stuff (along with some new surprises) will be on stand WE5.

Happy eating!

Get all your VegfestUK London information online. It is going to be a big show this year!

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Yoga and Vegan Fest

Do you enjoy yoga? Are you vegan?

Yes and yes? Then this is the event you have been waiting for.

Tomorrow (Saturday October 15, 2016) is the day you can join a whole bunch of likeminded people at the Kingston Yoga and Vegan Fest.

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The entry price is just £3 and that includes participation in any and all of the yoga sessions being held across the day. That is superb value. Take your own yoga mat, of course.

There is also a huge line up of talks and demos, plus multiple food stands and traders all selling vegan stuff.

You can get more information from the Facebook event page or the official website.

Anyone going?!

Extra note: my pal Alternative Chef Steph will be at this show with her Ponga food stand, selling handmade vegan cheeses that you do not want to miss. Stunning!

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Vegan Sausage Fest

I am jealous.

Jealous that I didn’t think up something as glorious as Vegan Sausage Fest 2016. I’m also jealous that I will be busy running Glasgow Vegan Beer Fest this weekend and will be 300 miles away from this incredible get-together.

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The wonderful people behind Cafe SoVegan are also the wonderful people behind Sausage Fest 2016.

The cafe runs as a permanent pop-up inside the locally-adored Royal Sovereign pub in Hackney. They serve tasty savoury food and, more importantly, cake.

On Sunday August 28 and Monday August 29, 2016 you SHOULD get along to this event that will run between midday and midnight both days.

Here’s a little insight into the event from Cafe SoVegan:

So what is Sausage Fest? I know the standard definition but that’s not what this is!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you may have noticed that the country has gone a bit to sh*t lately. I think a lot of people are feeling a bit blue, not knowing what to do about it. What we propose is not a solution to all these problems but to bring people together to celebrate the humble sausage (in it’s many vegan forms)!

I’ve grown up in Hackney, it’s my home, my mum’s an immigrant, it’s her home. Lots of my neighbours are immigrants, it’s their home. The Sov is my home away from home and also a microcosm of Hackney, in short my favourite place to be! So to make us feel better (hopefully you too), and to bring people together and have a good time we’ve decided to throw a party. I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like a good sausage and a two day party, so why not combine the two?!

We don’t want to exclude anyone which is why this is a free event. There will be a collection for the acts who are performing for their dinner. The money made will be put into keeping the cafe going and providing a place and events for people to come together and have a good time.

Hope to see you all there! XX

Amazing!

All manner of vegan sausages to buy and consume fresh from the BBQ, plus an incredible line up of local musicians. What’s not to love?

In addition, there will be a collection of food, clothing and tent donations for refugees in Calais. Do something good for someone else as you devour vegan sausages. You will be a winner.

Click onto the Facebook event page for more info and to let them know you are coming.

Get along to the Royal Sovereign both days if you can but especially on Monday as it is International Vegan Junk Food Day. This is the perfect way to celebrate the annual event and make sure you use #ivjfd16 to share all your sausage photos on the day.

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IVJFD 2016 with Black Cat

As you know, the 3rd annual International Vegan Junk Food Day is taking place on Monday August 29, 2016.

You can read all about this marvellous festival here.

I’m thrilled to announce the first participant in this year’s celebration is Black Cat Café of Hackney.

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The café is opening special hours just for #ivjfd16 (between 4:30pm and 10:00pm) and the menu they have lined up is going to make you drool and the super cheap price is going to make you clap with happiness.

(Read this and book straight away – last year’s International Vegan Junk Food Day booked out solid in record time)

For just £15.50 you get to choose 1 main, 2 sides and 1 dessert if booked in advance via info@blackcatcafe.co.uk (so do it now!).

There are also prices for single items if you fancy dropping in during the special opening hours, but you really should get the meal deal and secure your food.

MAINS (£7.50)

  • The fishless burger: ale nori battered cod, remoulade, tartar sauce, rocket
  • Jack fruit quesadillas: slow cooked jackfruit in rich chilli mole, guacamole, carrot and onion escabeche, melted cheese.
  • Black Cat classic beef style burger: seitan and soya mince patty, cheddar cheese, rasher, beefsteak tomatoes, butter lettuce, house made pickles and basil garlic mayo.
  • Curry hot dogs: tofu sausage, mango chutney, onion relish, wholegrain mustard, curried home made ketchup

SIDES (£3.50)

  • Deli potato salad: new potatoes, gherkins, garden peas, diced carrots, chives, house made herby mayo.
  • Hand cut herby potato wedges: raw garlic, vinegar 
  • Hackney Salad: mixed leaves, olives, tomatoes agave mustard dressing.
  • Crunchy slaw: thinly sliced cabbage, red onions, fresh chilly, coriander, sesame seeds, fresh mint and coriander

Dessert (£4)

  • Ice Cream Boat: chocolate and vanilla ice cream, banana, crushed biscuits, chocolate orange sauce, whipped cream
  • Cake (selection in the fridge)

How about that menu?!

Email Black Cat Café right this second to secure your meal for International Vegan Junk Food Day 2016. Be sure to use #ivjfd16 across social media to share your good time eating adventures on August 29, 2016.

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Kebabs with FGV

You’ve heard all about the incredible vegan döner kebabs being served up by What The Pitta in Shoreditch, you’ve drooled over the countless Instagram posts flooding your phone and you’ve made a promise to yourself to get to this brand new food venture ASAP.

Well, friends. The time has come.

Monday-Deal

Join food lover extraordinaire Fat Gay Vegan (that’s me!) for a night of kebabs and socialising as he celebrates the launch of What The Pitta with a Monday night party that will be the talk of the town.

Between 6pm and 9pm on Monday August 22, 2016, What The Pitta will be launching an exclusive Monday night meal deal.

For just £9 you will get:

– a döner kebab

– a cold drink

– a piece of baklava

I’m not sure where else in London you are going to get a deal like this. We are even paying the booking fee for you. All you pay is £9 for a wrap, a drink and a sweet when you book online.

Amazing value, indeed!

This launch event is strictly ticketed only and space is limited to 100. Book your ticket now and we will see you on Monday. Fat Gay Vegan will be on hand across the three hours of the event to check you in and hand you a meal deal token. Swap the token at What The Pitta for food, drink and sweets then join the party.

BOOK YOUR TICKET NOW FOR JUST £9!

Once you have your online ticket, you can drop in anytime between 6pm and 9pm on Monday August 22, 2016. Stay for as long as you like, or grab your food and run. It’s up to you!

Follow What The Pitta on Instagram.

Click here to RSVP to the Facebook event and invite friends.

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Exclusive London event

This is huge news.

Carol J. Adams is heading to London to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her groundbreaking book The Sexual Politics of Meat on Thursday September 8, 2016 and will be joined in conversation by celebrated comedian (and vegan), Sara Pascoe.

This is a rare chance to be part of something special, London.

You will need to move extremely quickly for this. It is going to sell out in record time.

The event page for this conversation says of the book:

The Sexual Politics of Meat is an inspiring and controversial exploration of the interplay between contemporary society’s ingrained cultural misogyny and its obsession with meat and masculinity. By exploring a relationship between patriarchal values and meat-eating this conversation will bring together ideas from feminism, vegetarianism, animal defence, and literary theory.

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This book is a critical piece of text from one of the most important vegan voices of the past few decades (in my humble FGV opinion).

The evening is a chance to hear a conversation between two notable vegans, take part in a Q&A, mingle over some drinks and buy your very own copy of the 25th anniversary edition of The Sexual Politics of Meat at a reduced price.

Book your ticket NOW! Click here.

These tickets will not last long. I warn you.

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Beer and food for charity

If you are anywhere in the vicinity of Orpington this Saturday (July 30, 2016) you need to make time to get along to this wonderful event.

The Orpington Liberal Club is playing host to a fundraising night called Flap 4 F.R.I.E.N.D.S., with money going to F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Animal Rescue.

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The venue always has an amazing selection of quality vegan ales on offer and my friend Alternative Chef Steph sent me a preview of her special food menu for the night.

It includes:

Ponga Harvest Platter

BBQ jackfruit & smoky cheeze quesadillas
Chorizo & potato tortilla
Tomato salsa
Roasted padron peppers

Cheeze Taster Plate

Dragons Breath (chipotle chile cheddar)
Stilton style
Cheddar style

All served with freshly baked bread & home made green tomato chutney

Raw Cake Taster Plate

Bounty
Carrot with lemon cashew frosting
Ginger slice

All of that delicious sounding food is vegan as well as being gluten and refined sugar free.

On top of the wonderful food and drink being sold, the event will feature music and spoken word performances.

It will only cost you £5 on the door, you’ll have a fabulous night out and you will be helping F.R.I.E.N.D.S. carry on with their crucial work.

Get more details and RSVP on the Facebook event page.

By attending this event, you will be directly helping animals like Gary the goat (pictured below). If you are unable to attend this event but would like to support Gary and his friends, you can donate online.
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FGV beer

There is big news and then there is ENORMOUS news.

In conjunction with The Dominion Brewery Company (home of Pitfield), I am beyond thrilled to announce a beer called Fat Gay Vegan.

Yes, that’s correct. My very own vegan beer.

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My love affair with Mexico has inspired my first beer.

A lot of Mexicans are partial to salt in their beer. This was first introduced to me by my friend Julio almost 7 years ago in a gay bar in Mexico City and I was instantly smitten.

When it came to making my own beer, I wanted to reference this Mexican style so ended up with one of the most delicious drinks around by combining pale ale, pink salt and fresh lime juice.

My buddy Laurie of mega-rad band SLAVES heard about my foray into beer production and was keen to get involved. Laurie is an incredibly talented artist with a style I can’t get enough of, so his take of me in a Mexican wrestling mask for my beer label is a dream come true. (Laurie has his first solo art show next month in Edinburgh!)

Bottles of Fat Gay Vegan pale ale are set to start rolling out across London and then the UK in a few weeks but if you can’t wait that long, you are in good fortune.

London Vegan Beer Fest is the first place anywhere in the world you can get a taste of this new beer. Andy from Dominion has kindly organised a strictly limited cask of Fat Gay Vegan to be served at the event on Saturday July 16, 2016.

Be one of the first people on the planet to try Fat Gay Vegan beer!

Please note that there is only one cask of Fat Gay Vegan beer being served. This is a special preview of my beer and it will probably go quickly (mostly into my belly). Be early if you want to buy a pint of Fat Gay Vegan.

Online tickets for London Vegan Beer Fest are only £5 plus small booking fee. Buy them now!

Beer talks this weekend!

London Vegan Beer Fest isn’t just a place where you drink, eat and have a fab time. You can also learn stuff.

I’m absolutely thrilled to announce Oliver Coningham as a very special guest at our event this Saturday July 12, 2016.

Oliver knows a lot about beer and enjoys sharing his expertise and passion for the good stuff with others. It is for these very reasons we have asked Oliver to host two information sessions during London Vegan Beer Fest.

Session one taking place at 1pm will suit beer know-it-alls and novices alike as Oliver runs the assembled drinkers through the A-to-Z of vegan beer. Why is vegan beer vegan? Why is beer sometimes not vegan? How is vegan beer made? You’ll find this talk fascinating and it will equip you with all the info you need to go forward in life as a vegan beer expert.

Session two at around 4pm is set to feature Oliver telling you everything you need to know about different varieties of beer. Don’t know how to tell a porter from a stout or an IPA from a lager? This session will have you feeling like a beer expert in no time. Your new party trick down the pub will be explaining the brewing process for every drink being poured within your vicinity.

Oliver’s talks will be taking place in the gorgeous Galley, a stunning dining room featuring Thames views from every position. Sip your beer as you listen to our expert talk and make sure you come armed with some questions to ask. Buy your London Vegan Beer Fest tickets now.

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Make sure you visit Oliver’s brand new beer and food pairing website called The Fork & Carrot. You’ll find reviews, event news and more. You can also follow Fork & Carrot on Facebook and Twitter.

You can see the full list of beers being served at London Vegan Beer Fest here and the full food menu here. Tickets are £5 in advance online or £8 on the day depending on available space.

RSVP and invite friends on the Facebook event page.

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Beer at London Vegan Beer Fest

Each year at London Vegan Beer Fest we have at least a few attendees who attempt to taste all the beer on offer.

All I can say for anyone looking to achieve this feat in 2016 is good luck.

Look at the line up of beer from some of the most-celebrated craft brewers in the London area. Buy your £5 online tickets here and start your drinking plans now!

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Pressure Drop is a small, independent brewery operating out of a railway arch in Hackney. I am thrilled to have them represented at the event this year.

Wu Gang Chops The Tree 3.8%ABV (bottles) – foraged herb Hefeweisse – great with curry
Pale Fire 4.8%ABV (bottles) – fresh and tasty pale ale
Bosko 6.5%ABV (bottles) – sweet and hoppy IPA
Nanban Kanpai 6.5%ABV (bottles) – wheat IPA with yuzu, orange and grapefruit

Look who’s back! Moncada are one of the superstar breweries from London Vegan Beer Fest of years gone past and we have their beer again in 2016. You gotta try that Blonde.

Notting Hill Blonde 4.2%ABV (bottles) – light body/citrus and herbal hop aroma
Notting Hill Amber 4.7%ABV (bottles) – strong malt backbone & smooth caramel finish
Notting Hill Stout 5.0%ABV (bottles) – dark & velvety with defined roasted flavour

Beavertown is one of the most popular and loved indie breweries around so it makes perfect sense that their beer is at London Vegan Beer Fest on July 16. Stout in a can? Heaven!

Neck Oil 4.3%ABV (keg) – all day easy drinking IPA
Gamma Ray 5.4%ABV (cans) – juicy tropical with aromas of mango & grapefruit
Holy Cowbell 5.6%ABV (cans) – Indian stout style that is extra hoppy
Black Betty 7.4%ABV (cans) – Black India pale ale with aniseed tones
Smog Rocket 5.4%ABV (keg) – a smoked porter inspired by London smog

Orbit Brewery takes my two loves of music and beer to create a range of sonically-inspired brews that are brewed and bottled in SE17.

Neu Altbier 4.7%ABV (keg) – Malty, bitter, nutty & dry
Nico Köln Style Lager 4.8%ABV (bottles) – light, crisp & fragrant
Ivo Pale Ale 5.3%ABV (bottles) – elegant & aromatic
Peel Blonde Ale 4.3%ABV (bottles) – light bitter ale with lemons & peppery notes

Blast from the past! Five Points Brewery were at the very first London Vegan Beer Fest back in 2013. Their beer disappeared from our radar for a few years but now they are back in the mix. If you are new to this brewery, you will be blown away.

Pale 4.4%ABV (keg) – fresh, zesty & aromatic pale ale
Hook Island Red 6.0%ABV (bottles) – full bodied red rye ale bursting with flavour
IPA 7.1%ABV (cans) – lush & flavoursome IPA with tropical notes
Railway Porter 4.8%ABV (bottles) – classic London porter with hints of caramel & coffee
London Smoke 7.8%ABV (bottles) – Imperial Porter with smoked barley & wheat malts

This next brewery is an FGV favourite. Partizan from Bermondsey knocked our socks off last year so it was crucial that we saw their beer again in 2016.

Saison Raspberry & Lemon 4.0%ABV (bottles) – a summery beer where the name says it all
Pale Ale 5.8%ABV (bottles) – citrus aromas with sherbet & straw
X Ale 6.3%ABV (bottles) – malty chocolate taste with dark fruits
Indian Pale Ale 6.5%ABV (bottles) – classic IPA with dry aromas

Redchurch is an East London favourite only steps from Bethnal Green Underground. They serve up some of the most-loved brews on the eastside and I am thrilled to welcome their beers back to London Vegan Beer Fest in 2016. They are always a crowd favourite.

Paradise Pale Ale 3.7%ABV (bottles) – American style pale ale with intense hop character
Bethnal Pale Ale 5.5%ABV (bottles) – juicy fruit-packed pale ale with a huge hoppy nose
Hoxton Stout 5.9%ABV (bottles) – a deep black dry stout with complex malt flavours
Urban Farmhouse Saison 3.8%ABV (bottles) – seasonal packed packed with Summer aromas

Fourpure is a London-based family brewery with some of the tastiest drinks in the capital. A real favourite with vegans around the city.

Beartooth Brown Ale 5.3%ABV (cans) – flavours of caramel, chocolate & light coffee
Brewery Oatmeal Stout 5.1%ABV (cans) – fullbodied & creamy with chocolate & coffee aromas
Pils 4.7%ABV (keg) – dry crisp & refreshing with a spicy aroma
Session IPA 4.2%ABV (keg) – big & bold IPA with a powerful hit of hops
Flatiron American Red 4.7%ABV (keg) – malty & hoppy with notes of caramel & toffee

Savour Beer is a fabulous collection of beers designed to promote produce and produce farmers. It’s farmhouse brewing crashlanding in 2016 and it’s wonderful!

Saison 5.0%ABV (bottles) – floral, lemongrass & citrus notes
Blonde 5.8%ABV (bottles) – pine & floral notes with a biscuit sweetness
Dubbel 7.0%ABV (bottles) – burnt caramel & dark fruits with smooth maltiness
Sparkling Beer 10.5%ABV (bottles) – floral, spicy, rich & smooth

The Kernel Brewery is one of the true superstars of the local beer landscape. When you ask ‘what’s good?’ in a craft beer bar, the server often points you toward The Kernel.

Table beer 3.3%ABV (bottles) – fresh green vibrant aroma with citrus notes
Pale Ale 5.1%ABV (bottles) – premium hoppy pale ale
Indian Pale Ale 6.6%ABV (bottles) – dry & fruity with a refreshing dry finish
Export Indian Porter 6.5%ABV (bottles) – cocoa, roses & a hint of orange
1890 Export Stout 7.0%ABV (bottles) – huge dark taste with rum, raisin & smokey espresso

I adore that Howling Hops brew in an old Victorian warehouse in Hackney Wick, just as much as I adore their unique and delicious brews.

Bohemian Pils 4.6%ABV (bottles) – Pale, light & crisp Czech-style lager
Farmhouse Saison 5.5%ABV (bottles) – Seasonal Summer beer
Pale XX 5.0%ABV (bottles) – strong pale ale
IPA 7.2%ABV (bottles) – Gold IPA with fruity aromas

Good beers are brewed all over London, but something special is going on south of the Thames thanks to Brixton Brewery.

Reliance Pale Ale 4.2%ABV (bottles) – biscuit malt with pine & citrus aromas
Atlantic American Pale Ale 5.4%ABV (bottles) – bold bursts of citrus & tropical fruit
Effra Amber Ale 4.5%ABV (bottles) – zesty, dark & smooth
Windrush Stout 5.0%ABV (bottles) – rich, chocolatey & smooth

This is a London Vegan Beer Fest special announcement. New Zealand beer superstars Yeastie Boys are represented at our event in 2016!

Pot Kettle Black 6.0%ABV (bottles) – Porter described as ‘mindbendingly delicious’
Gunnamatta 6.5%ABV (bottles) – Earl Grey IPA with a bold floral nose

Phew! What a list.

There will also be bottles of cider plus a HUGE range of more mainstream vegan beers such as Peroni and Camden (kegs and cans!) should the mood take you! There is also a world exclusive keg beer to be announced just before the event, so stay tuned. Our lips are sealed.

Need something gluten-free to drink? We will have a few specialty bottles on the day. Ask the servers if you want one.

Not into beer or cider? The Old Ship W6 has a fantastic line up of vegan wine for the day. If you wanna get tipsy, we have got what you need.

Remember to plan your eating as well by checking out the mountains of food planned for the day.

Book your £5 (plus booking fee) ticket now or pay £8 on the day if we have space!