London vegan news, reviews & events
If you like a good party with plenty of vegan refreshments, wonderful people and plant-based food options, you would have been in your element last night as London Vegan Drinks made its debut in Whole Foods Market High Street Kensington.
Almost 150 vegans and vegan-friendlies converged on the gorgeous Kensington High Street mega-store on Thursday July 18th, 2013 for what is now one of the biggest monthly vegan events on the planet.
The sun burned bright. The beers flowed liberally. People adored the BBQ. Karaoke raised money for Sea Shepherd. That’s right, people. London Vegan Beer Fest was a raging success enjoyed by almost 300 people on Saturday July 13th, 2013.
I have much to share with you all (including photos), but I have taken time out of my LVBF comedown to share some important information with you. Beer lovers, I present the audience favourite beverage as voted by the attendees of London Vegan Beer Fest.
Drum roll.
You’ve heard all the hype and you’ve survived my incessant tweets. Now it is almost time for London Vegan Beer Fest to explode onto the capital.
The beer is being brewed, the BBQ menu has been planned and the karaoke machine is loaded with songs. July 13th, 2013 is going to be a day London vegans and their friends will never forget.
But for some attendees, the memories will be even sweeter.
Tickets have been split into four categories. The general admission pre-sale tickets sold out a few days ago, you can get in on the day for £10 after 1pm and £5 after 6pm (depending on space) and then of course there are the VIP Golden Keg tickets.
These precious tickets cost £25 and are your pass to a good time with plenty of benefits. Holders of the VIP tickets gain earlybird entry from midday (an hour before everyone else), get to choose one pint of beer, will be fed one item from the vegan BBQ and get to chill out in two exclusive reserved seating areas.
That’s pretty cool, right? Well, it gets better.
Every VIP ticket holder will also be given a limited London Vegan Beer Fest goodie bag stuffed with treats and special deals.
See below for the full list of included bag treats and then hurry to the ticket page to order one of these limited edition tickets. At time of writing, there were only eight VIP tickets remaining. Be quick!
The VIP bags are reusable eco-friendly cotton and have been sponsored by Fry’s Distribution. Check out their website for tasty vegan frozen food.
Each VIP bag will contain one discount voucher for the wonderful new 100% vegan hot dog company The Mighty Fork. Keep an eye on their Twitter page for news of upcoming location.
Each VIP bag will contain one colour postcard from Elegantly Vegan, a gorgeous new recipe app. The card includes a QR code for a free preview download of the book.
Each VIP bag will contain one metal bottle opener/keyring courtesy of Yelp London. Yelp is a fun and interactive online listings community. Check them out!
Each VIP bag will contain one pen thanks to Viva! Campaigns. Follow this invaluable non-profit activist group on Twitter.
Each VIP bag will contain a discount voucher for the new allergy-free cake company Ron Likes Cakes. I recently tried one of their creations and they are highly recommended.
Each VIP bag will contain a sticker and badge pack from London’s first vegan store, Vx.
Each VIP bag will contain one sample from world-class vegan skincare company Premae. Visit Premae Skincare online to view their entire range.
Each VIP bag will contain one container of vegan Vitamin B12 tablets courtesy of Veganicity. Check out their full range of vegan vitamins and supplements online.
Each VIP bag will contain one Wild Trail wholegrain bar. These delicious bars are an FGV favourite and you can keep updated with new flavours on their Facebook page.
Each VIP bag will contain one 40g packet of Kettle chips. Visit the company online.
Each VIP bag will contain one Mini Moos bar made by the market-leading Moo Free Chocolates. Check out their full range online.
Every VIP will contain one box of Fairtrade and Organic raspberry chilli tea bags courtesy of the wonderful London Tea Company. Visit their website now!
Thinking about attending London Vegan Potluck this July 3rd but need another reason? I have got a good one!
The wonderful management and staff of Lush South Molton Street are coming along to pamper and treat potluck attendees with lip balm and cruelty-free make up demonstrations. Attendees can chat with the Lush experts as they try some of the finest vegan personal products on the market.
But’s that’s not all. Of course there is a prize on offer.
Attend London Vegan Potluck, have a chat with the Lush crew, sign up to their email list and you will instantly be in the draw for a fabulous prize to be given away on the night.
And what a prize it is!
London Vegan Beer Fest is a boutique summer drinking event showcasing independent breweries making beer suitable for vegans. In 2013, the festival is taking place in the hall, chapel and grounds of the gorgeous St Margaret’s House in Bethnal Green.
Join a host of independent breweries serving craft beers and the kitchen staff of The Gallery Cafe as they serve mouthwatering vegan BBQ food. Doors open 1pm on Saturday July 13th, 2013.
The day will be a celebration of vegan drink, food, independent businesses and music.
Visit the London Vegan Beer Fest website for full list of participating breweries, latest news, BBQ menu updates, sponsor lists and more!
On sale time for tickets is Monday 17th June, 2013 at 9am.
Click here for the ticket page
Running time
Midday: VIP ticket holders welcomed
1:00pm London Vegan Beer Fest 2013 opens to all ticket holders
8:30pm Last orders in the beer hall
10:00pm London Vegan Beer Fest closes
Ticket types
Hop Head – general admission//£7.50 plus booking fee
Golden Keg – limited VIP//£25 plus booking fee
Swift Half – walk up on the day//£10
Cheeky Half – late walk up on the day//£5
Tickets are extremely limited. Bookmark the ticket link and set a reminder.
I want to take a moment to digress from my usual food rants to show my appreciation for London Vegan Potluck.
London Vegan Potluck came into being over two years ago when I had the idea to create a regular, monthly event that was as much about socialising as it was about vegan food. I wanted to create a safe and welcoming gathering that would always be there for (and because of) the vegans of London.
The event started as a tiny get together of 20 people in the arcade next to the Ms. Cupcake bakery in Brixton. I remember being terrified that nobody would show up, but almost instantly the sense of community surrounding the potluck came to life and we haven’t stopped growing since that first night.
After six months of hosting the event in Brixton, I had to say goodbye to Ms. Cupcake and move London Vegan Potluck to bigger premises. It was just that popular! Thanks to the immense generosity of the Syracuse University London Program and its staff, we were able to secure a huge central London space equipped with everything we needed to make the event a continued success.
We have now been celebrating the potluck in our Holborn location ever since and to say it is a runaway success would be an understatement. The attendance numbers have broken the 100 mark on several occasions and I am always overwhelmed by the number of new attendees I meet every month.
The list of vegan and vegan-friendly companies that have supported the event with samples is mammoth. I am grateful to the traders who have personally attended to not only share their products with us, but to also make connections within the vegan community. I am humbled by the travellers and tourists from around the UK and the world who go out of their way to make London Vegan Potluck a stop on their already packed schedules. We have enjoyed the company of visitors from Australia, France, the USA, Canada, Spain, China and many more locations than I can recall.
It is hard work putting the potluck together every month. I couldn’t even begin to calculate the amount of time I have spent moving chairs, washing dishes, arranging tables, liaising with sponsors, updating websites, answering queries, shopping for supplies and hosting the actual event.
But I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Sure I get irked when people show up with no food to contribute or complain the event doesn’t suit their taste/schedule/sensibilities, but the positive contribution and social capital I see being paid back into my community on the first Wednesday of every single month overrides any negativity.
The immense interest surrounding the potluck led me to create and host the monthly London Vegan Drinks event which is even more successful and draws well over 100 people on the third Thursday of every month. I have received messages from people around the UK who have been inspired by the London event to create their own local potluck. The goodwill generated by that first-ever event in Brixton is infectious and continues to spread.
London Vegan Potluck works to support vegans on their journey to remain vegan, helps the curious and kind-hearted make the transition to a plant-based diet and creates a safe and dependable space for people to exist as compassionate eaters without judgement for two hours each and every month.
In my opinion, all of this improves outcomes for animals, people and the planet. What more could you ask for?
I think every city could do with a monthly vegan potluck. Don’t you agree?
When you put a lot of time and effort into something, it’s nice to get some recognition. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy, right?
I have been plugging away at this blog and its associated activities for two and a half years. How time flies when you are guilt-tripping yourself into meeting self-imposed publication dates. Seriously though, I feel I have been consistent in sharing my thoughts on vegan food, products and events throughout the UK and the world. I’m proud of this little corner of the Internet.
It would seem the pride I have in my own abilities isn’t completely unfounded as my blog has been nominated for an award.
VegfestUK is a series of huge vegan festivals that take place in Brighton, Bristol (happening this weekend May 24-26, 2013) and London. Running for ten years, the events are a celebration of all things plant-based and are hugely popular outings for vegans and non-vegans alike.
To celebrate their tenth year, VegfestUK organisers want to recognise vegan businesses, personalities and products with their own award show. Thankfully, they have included a vegan blog category meaning I was able to sneak in with a nomination.
Please visit the voting page and pop a little tick next to my name (if you feel I deserve it). If you do vote for my blog, please let me know in the comments section below. I would like to include you in my acceptance speech at the award ceremony taking place in London this October.*
*This might not happen in reality
As you may be aware, I am proudly involved with a mammoth vegan festival heading to London Olympia this October. VegfestUK is the biggest vegan festival in the world and is now, for the first time in its long history, heading to the capital.
The line up of talent and respected performers/speakers/specialists is growing weekly and there has been a slew of recent announcements around the personalities heading to VegfestUK London for the weekend of October 5th and 6th, 2013. But as far as I’m concerned, here is the major reason to make sure you are at the event come October time…
I love being involved in VegfestUK London. Not only am I helping promote the biggest vegan festival in the world as it sets sail for London for the first time in its ten year history, but I also get to break news about speakers as they are announced.
Just announced to be appearing at the London show on October 5th and 6th….
Mellissa Morgan of the world-famous vegan bakery Ms. Cupcake will de doing her thing in the Cookery Demo Area. Expect expert tips on how to make delicious vegan treats… and lots of smiles and sweet words!
Jill Swyers is a pioneer of the raw food scene in the UK and one of the most respected personalities in the field. She will be appearing in the Living Raw Zone. Learn to live a healthier life with wise words from this expert.
Patrick Baboumian is an inspiration to thousands of people around the world having been voted Vegan Athlete of the Year 2012. The popular powerhouse will be appearing in the Lifestyles Talks Room to inspire your inner weightlifter.
Wendy Turner Webster is a legendary animal rights campaigner and was the host of the long running TV show Pet Rescue. Wendy is also a patron of The Vegan Society and she will be appearing in the Lifestyle Talks Room where she will share her invaluable insights and knowledge.
These four personalities join an ever-expanding line up that gets more impressive with every announcement. VegfestUK London is something to mark in your calendar and get very excited about.
Remember… tickets are available for a limited time as part of a buy-one-get-one-free deal. Go here to buy your tickets now.
See you at the show!
Prepare for another level of indulgence as Fat Gay Vegan invites you to join the feasting and oppulence that is London Vegan High Tea.
Vegan supper clubs do not come a lot finer than what is being presented forLondon Vegan High Tea. An afternoon of plant-based culinary delights await, handcrafted by one of the finest vegan bakers in London. The Vegan Tart is adored by fans of fine eating familiar with his popular market stall and now it is your turn to sample his wares during this decadent event.
High tea is an indelible part of British life and has been enjoyed by food fans for decades. Unfortunately, the tradition of serving clotted cream has kept vegans longing to take part in this ritual at bay. Until now!
Purchase a ticket for London Vegan High Tea and you will experience the splendour of a full British high tea with all the trimmings.
Four Course Menu