Provincial towns you jog round

Vegetarian café ditches dairy – turns 100% vegan!

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BIG NEWS. In the UK town of Leamington Spa, a café has decided to remove all dairy from its menu thus changing from vegetarian to 100% vegan.

This is my favourite type of news to share with you all.

The Garden Shed started out a year ago as a veggie cafe with about 4-5 cheese sandwich options. Owners Stephanie and Ruth never used eggs, dairy or cheese in their cooking or baking so it was a natural progression (which coincidentally followed their own lifestyle choices) to remove the cheese options one by one over the last year and replace them with vegan options. They make all of their own vegan cakes, vegan cheesecakes and vegan cheeses. They’ve even developed their own vegan sausage recipe, too.

I’m typing the word ‘vegan’ a lot in this blog post and I love it!

Stephanie and Ruth sent me a WHOLE bunch of photos to share with you. Check them out below and be sure to visit their website. Like The Garden Shed on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

FGV all day breakfast with homemade sausage FGV battenburg
FGV choc 'no' cheesecake FGV choc & peanut butter cake FGV choc bounty cake FGV choc orange cake FGV Hummingbird cake FGV lime & coconut FGV our front gate FGV Pizza slice with homemade moxxarella FGV Raspberry 'no' cheesecake FGV vegan cheese burger - supper club FGV vegan cheeseboard

Get to Leamington Spa in order to eat ALL of that and to thank Stephanie and Ruth for taking the big step to transform their business into a 100% vegan affair.

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New vegan shop in UK seaside town

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Try and stop the march of veganism. I dare you.

Plant-based shops are opening all over the UK and the seaside town of Bridlington in East Yorkshire is next on the list.

Planetwise is opening today (Thursday March 24, 2016) to sell compassionate goods to the 35,000 residents of Bridlington! It is a totally vegan and eco-friendly shop with fair trade and gluten free products and a yoga studio attached.

Check out the photos below showing the Planetwise team getting the shelves stocked ahead of the grand opening.

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You can stop by Planetwise to snap up drinks, snacks, pantry items, household products, yoghurt, canned food, ice cream and much more.

I love that veganism is exploding even in small towns like Bridlington.

Get over to the Planetwise Facebook page and give them a like.

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Liverpool gets a new vegan eatery

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Remember when I wrote about GIVE Kitchen and their vegan food delivery service? 

Well it seems things are going well for the food enterprise as they are set to open the doors to their very first vegan eatery in Liverpool.

Check out what the official press release says below (and drool over the photos):

The UK’s first, award winning, one for one giving, plant based, whole food, online delivery service are expanding by opening their first Inspiration Centre, Eatery and Organic Shop in Liverpool, next month.

The doors to GIVE Kitchen’s first One for One giving, Inspiration Centre, Eatery and Organic Shop, will officially be open to public at 10am on Monday 4th April, 2016.

For every meal sold in the new eatery, one will be given back to a homeless person in the UK or a starving child abroad through their registered charity (No.1164433) the GIVE2040 Foundation, which aims to eradicate hunger, poverty and disease by 2040, through donating plant based nutrition to those in need.

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GIVE Kitchen’s Inspiration Centre aims to spread the word and educate on the health, wellbeing and environmental benefits that come from leading a plant based lifestyle. The stylish eatery has been designed as a welcoming and comfortable space for guests to relax and enjoy a wide selection of delicious, plant based, whole food breakfasts, large and small plates and desserts, inspired by flavours and spices from around the world.

The original and creative menu has been developed by their spiritual and soulful Head Chef and will be hand-made in their state-of-the-art kitchen and prepared with ‘love and vitality’.

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Co-Founders Paul Hampson and Dario Curcillo’s own-branded, organic, fair trade certified coffee, along with a selection of quality, vegan beverages will also be on offer. The on-site shop, which benefits from ample, free car parking will stock a wide range of fresh and frozen, healthy, vegan and organic groceries.

Co Founder Paul Hampson said. “GIVE just want a greener, cleaner and more caring planet and to give back to those who really need it. We hope that our guests will leave not only feeling satisfyingly full but also great knowing that they’ve really helped someone out who is less fortunate.”

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Co Founder Dario Curcillo added, “We’re extremely excited to be opening GIVE Kitchen’s first of many Inspiration Centre’s, Eateries and Organic Shops, particularly in Liverpool where we’ve received an overwhelming and positive response from people, since announcing our expansion. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming in our guests and treating them to GIVE Kitchen’s unique and delicious, plant based, whole food experience.”

GIVE Kitchen is based at Unit 5, Glacier Buildings, Harrington Road, Brunswick Dock, L3 4BH.

Opening hours are Monday to Sunday 10am to 10pm.

You can follow GIVE Kitchen on Twitter and visit them online.

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Vote for a vegan restaurant

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Let’s put our collective vegan power behind this cause.

Lovely vegan restaurant El Piano in York has been nominated for a mainstream food award and you can vote for them by clicking here.

el-piano-outside

What are you still doing here? Get voting!

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Newcastle vegan restaurant expanding

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A wonderful, pioneering vegan café is looking to expand in size and vision but they need our collective strength to do it.

The Painted Elephant is a cosy eatery perched in Newcastle city centre. They serve mouthwatering savoury food and ever since it opened, the restaurant has served as a vital hub for the vegan community in the city. The owners even allowed me to bring live music into their gorgeous venue when I passed through with my Vegan Roadshow.

Amazingly, it is the only 100% vegan restaurant in Newcastle.

The owners of The Painted Elephant have done an exceptional job to not only keep a fledgling restaurant open, but to also make it thrive. It now enjoys a solid following of regular diners that allows the restaurant to pay its overheads, but the plans for expansion are going to need a bit extra.

The owners need to raise £20,000 in order to move on with their plans, which include creating:

  • gourmet vegan food powered by local farmers and producers with a weekly changing, seasonal menu and low food mileage
  • a licensed bar serving infused liquors made from our excess fruits and herbs – nothing wasted
  • home grown herbs and salads cut for the plate
  • handmade vegan cheese on the menu and available to purchase and take home
  • all food waste composted to grow more deliciousness
  • locally foraged ingredients
  • regular themed tasting menu events with many-coursed meals, themed music and decor
  • great alternative music
  • up-cycled decor by local artisans

What the money will pay for:

  • the deposit and a couple of months rent on the new property (separate kitchen and bar area, possibly multiple floors!) to get them started – they’re looking at some of the beautiful railway arches near central station
  • a kitchen made from refurbished appliances and up-cycled fittings
  • growing and composting equipment, including an almost-instant (3 hour) composter for all food waste
  • paint and wall hangings
  • plumbing of sinks, etc
  • beautiful plates, glasses, crockery and more from UK artisans and small businesses
  • creation of new jobs for the local vegan community

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This is our chance to support an independent business, help them grow, watch them support local fruit/vegetable producers and celebrate as they create strength, jobs and security in their community.

This is an important campaign and an incredible chance for you to be a part of something very special. Keep a 100% vegan business independent, help people in Newcastle have a vegan centre they can be proud of and, most importantly, save the lives of animals by giving the northeast a truly compassionate alternative.

Click here now to donate to the expansion campaign and help make The Painted Elephant an even more integral part of Newcastle’s vegan scene.

Follow The Painted Elephant on Twitter and Facebook.

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Vegan cakes in Margate

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A new vegan cake shop has opened in Margate, Kent.

The owner of Seaside Cake Parlour will probably look familiar to a lot of readers as the same person who owned, operated and baked for Cakes ‘n’ Treats in Camden (yes, the place with this history here, here and here).

Click here or on the photo below to read the full article about the new shop on the Isle of Thanet Gazette website.

thanet vegan cake story

The article states the baker Sarah (did her name used to be Kim?) also creates non-vegan wedding cakes in addition to the menu at her completely vegan cafe.

You can find Seaside Cake Parlour on Facebook and Twitter.

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Vegetarian restaurant is now a UK chain

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By 1847 is a restaurant serving vegetarian food (with a solid showing of vegan offerings) located in the heart of Manchester. You can see my original post about the restaurant from WAY back by clicking here.

I’m not sure if I’ve been completely asleep but somehow I have missed how rapidly this business has expanded and how far flung the new locations are around the country.

By 1847 now have the original Manchester location plus Brighton, Bristol and Birmingham outlets. They are spreading quickly.

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Pop along to one of the restaurants to check out their vegan offerings, including a multi-course Sunday lunch option.

It’s a shame that such a gorgeous meat-free restaurant chain with a smart vision on how to expand still includes dairy on the menu. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of my dining experiences with By 1847 but that enjoyment is dampened somewhat by knowing they serve animal derived ingredients.

By 1847 really know what they are doing with food, wine and beer. I sincerely hope they come to see dairy as an unnecessary part of their success.

Follow By 1847 on Instagram and visit their website for location details.

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Masterchef finalist hosts vegan pop up

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Asparagasm is delighted to welcome MasterChef 2012 finalist and founder of ‘Koj Cooks’ Andrew Kojima for a vegan Japanese themed feast.

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Andrew Kojima is a British-Japanese chef based in the Cotswolds.

After reaching the pinnacle of amateur cooking success in the final of MasterChef 2012, he embarked on his life as a professional chef beginning with a fast track training programme in the kitchens of chefs such as Michel Roux Junior, Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal.

Koj teaches, promotes and demonstrates Japanese cookery through pop ups, cookery schools and food festivals and is one of of the UK’s most naturally talented and imaginative private chefs. With a monthly column in Crumbs Magazine he has also contributed to Spear’s and Cotswold Life, and is a judge at the prestigious Great Taste Awards.

Koj has cooked Japanese style food for everyone from The Queen to Hollywood royalty and Asparagsm Nailsworth is thrilled to welcome him as a guest chef as he joins them on Saturday 5th March to present this tantalising vegan menu.

MENU BY KOJ

Sake, Rhubarb, Ginger & Fennel Fizz

Maitake Mushroom & Jasmine Tea
with Ganmodoki (Pumpkin, Hijiki & Tofu Fritters)

Sushi & Sashimi 
Red Pepper Nigiri, Avocado Maki, Beetroot Sashimi, Apple, Spring Onions, Wasabi Emulsion

Nasu Dengaku 
Aubergine with White Miso & Edamame, Carrot & Sesame, Millet, Cauliflower & Brown Rice

Chocolate & Blood Orange Trifle 
Blood Orange Jelly, Orange Polenta Cake, Chocolate Sorbet

Two time-slots available for dining, due to the anticipated popularity of the event.

Tickets for the first sitting of 6pm – 8.30pm are £40 /pp

Tickets for the second sitting of 8.30pm – 10.30pm are £40 /pp

For all bookings and enquiries please call 01453 839352 or email dine@asparagasm.com so that you don’t miss out on this special dining experience!

Click here to RSVP to the Facebook event.

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Vegan night in Edinburgh

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Did you know that a non-vegan restaurant in Edinburgh holds a vegan night once a month?

The Bread Street Brasserie offers three fancy courses for just £17.50 on the first Wednesday of each month. That means your next chance to book yourself in for this monthly food event is next week (Wednesday March 2, 2016).

vegan-evening

The menu for next week is a cut above with dishes including bruschetta, curry, burgers, salads, soups and even fruit crumble.

Click here to see the full menu and click here to book a table.

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Big vegan party in Brighton

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How does time fly so quickly? It feels like only a few weeks ago we were all celebrating at VegfestUK Brighton but the annual event is now just two weeks away!

vegfest programme

Click the above image to download the full event programme.

Across the weekend of February 27 and 28, 2016, VegfestUK will be serving up:

  • vegan cooking demos
  • comedy
  • live performances
  • vegan food traders
  • kids activities
  • a teen zone
  • a mature zone
  • speed dating
  • and much, much more

If you haven’t been to VegfestUK Brighton in the past, I’d suggest you get along for one of the biggest vegan events on the planet.

You can find out more details on the VegfestUK website.

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