London vegan news, reviews & events
This is your early warning to save the date.
Don’t say you didn’t know to keep Saturday December 17, 2016 free from all other engagements.
I am teaming up with Hackney Downs Studios to bring you Vegan Christmas Market.
This is a teaser post to get you excited. Did it work?
More details to follow.
In the meantime, RSVP to the Facebook event to get all the updates and to invite friends.
Are you heading to the huge VegfestUK London this weekend?
I’ve put together a list of ten things you CANNOT miss during this two day event.
Please be warned that some of this stuff is going to be in huge demand and is likely to sell out extremely quickly. Don’t waste time if you are keen on any of these things.
10.
Heart of Cake – stand number CN3 Saturday only.
Fabulous cakes, handcrafted to perfection. So pretty and tasty. Make a special attempt to get some macarons.
9.
Ms. Cupcake – stand number CAT6
Of course this legendary business has a sweet stand, but also look out for their hot food outlet selling tasty savoury delights.
8.
Tofurky – stand number WB4
This sandwich fridge photo almost broke the vegan Internet when I featured it a few weeks ago and I’m thrilled to say it is BACK for VegfestUK this weekend.
7.
All Glamour No Guts – stand number WA6
These gorgeous t-shirts are on special offer for £10 or you can get the design on a tote bag for just £5. I love this design! They also have lots of other products and jewellery to get your hands on.
6.
Just Fab – stand numbers CE4 CE8
Don’t waste time trying to get your hands on these cheesy pizza dough balls. Go there first up or risk missing out. Just Fab make some of the best food in the country and they have plenty for you snap up during this show.
5.
Follow Your Heart – stand number WE10
One of my favourite brands on the planet are sampling their new cheese slices, soon to be launched in the UK. Get a sneak preview this weekend!
4.
Mouse’s Favourite – stand number CN3 Sunday only
Don’t act like you don’t know! This cheese company is one of the finest you will find anywhere. If their camembert doesn’t sell out in about an hour, I’ll eat my shoe. Yes, my shoe is vegan.
3.
Essential Vegan – stand number CAT8
Go no further if you are looking to enjoy one of the best seitan burgers ever created. An FGV favourite.
2.
Temple of Seitan – stand number CAT17
This is number two on my list but could easily be number one. Actually, let’s call it joint first place on my top ten list. If you don’t think food is an emotional experience, you should watch my tears as I look at this photo.
1.
Sgaia’s Vegan Mheats – stand number CG6
Of course this is number one. I know these mheat and cheeze boards are available in extremely limited numbers, so you had better run when the doors open. These are going to fly out in no time at all.
That’s it. That’s my top ten things not to miss at VegfestUK London in 2016.
How many were already on your radar? Anything that is new to you? Anyone going to try and eat and see all of that?
I hope you all have a wonderful time. Sadly I won’t be at the show as am flying out today for the vegan cruise through the South of France. If you want to find out how you can join me for the next 100% vegan cruise happening over New Year’s Eve, click here.
Also, I was nominated in the VegfestUK Awards for the best blogger/info website category. The awards winners are announced at 3pm Saturday so please go along and exact revenge if I don’t win. LOL!
I have already posted and shared my thoughts all over social media about Sgaia and how this Scotland-based food company is truly a world leader.
I think it’s safe to say they are one of the finest vegan brands on the planet. Their products are flawless.
But even my unquestioning love for the vegan meat makers couldn’t prepare me for the outrageous and spectacular vision you are about to witness.
Have you ever seen anything so spectacular?
This Cheeze + Mheat Charcuterie Board features Herbed Roast, Späck, Karma Ham, Gorgonzola Dolcelatte, Emmenthal and Brie. There is also a medjoul date, a couple of sweet pickled onions and charcoal crackers. There is even a vegan hard boiled egg!
I’m speechless.
This Earth-shattering cheese and meat board is being sold exclusively from the Sgaia stand at this weekend’s huge VegfestUK London. They are at stall number CG6.
You need to follow Sgaia on Instagram and order food from them online.
Get all the Vegfest details here.
Extra note: I strongly suggest getting to the show as early as you can for these boards. I predict they will sell out in about an hour. It is going to be MAYHEM!
This is my favourite event that I put together.
Every year around this time I am filled with such excitement as I start putting together the finer details for my vegan Day of the Dead dinner party.
Not only is it fun devising a menu filled with delicious Mexican treats, it is also an opportunity to get dressed up and spend time with some of my best friends on the planet.
As you might know, Julio (of Sean y Julio fame) makes the journey every year to be with us for this event and for the past few years has been joined by his partner Carlos. Julio and Carlos are extremely special people to me and it a true joy to have them join me in London once a year.
Yes, yes. Whatever. I have friends. You wanna hear about the menu, right?
This year’s Day of the Dead dinner is getting supercharged thanks to the help of Mexican food ingredient specialists Cool Chile Co.
Our multi-course extravaganza will be decadent and packed solid with world class ingredients thanks to Cool Chile. Did you know they have a giant tortilla machine here in London? You should really get over to their website to check out the huge range of quality ingredients they have on offer. From no-fuss bean kits to blue corn tortillas, Cool Chile will have you cooking flawless Mexican cuisine in no time.
Wanna see the menu?
Once again we have kept the menu completely gluten free.
I’m so pleased to be introducing the mushroom pie for this event, while also keeping much loved favourites from some of our earlier menus such as the flautas.
The 2016 version of this event takes place on Tuesday November 1. We have a sitting at 5pm for early birds and an 8pm sitting for those who cannot get away from work until a bit later. Book here.
It is a sit down dinner, you are welcome to bring your own vegan alcohol and of course you are encouraged to dress up if the mood takes you.
The 5th annual vegan Day of the Dead dinner is being hosted inside Black Cat Café in Hackney and I thank them profusely for their hospitality.
Gather your loved ones, book tickets now and I’ll see you all on November 1, 2016 for a night (and a meal) to remember. This event sells out every year, so please be quick to avoid disappointment.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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)
SIDES (£3.50)
Dessert (£4)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.