Remember when I posted about supporting Fortify Café of Maidstone as they switched from a vegetarian menu to a 100% vegan menu?
James Hooper and his team took the massive step forward earlier this year in order to give their town its only fully-vegan eatery. Of course, many people thought this would be a massive risk and some wondered if a cafe could survive without serving dairy and eggs.
A month into being a vegan business owner, James reached out to me in order to let me know how the finances were shaping up since the switch.
That seems particularly poor form on my part. Cornwall is a unique part of the UK that is off the beaten track for many. With gorgeous beaches and a temperate climate, Cornwall is a favourite destination for people from all over the UK and the planet.
I’ve recently been considering getting myself across to this part of the world and the fact it is home to a vegan food van just might be the incentive I need to take the leap.
Compassionate people of the North. You have a vegan outlet in Doncaster.
Get to it!
Just this morning I received a message from Anne via Facebook. Anne is the owner of a brand new vegan cafe in Doncaster called A Bite 2 Eat and she was hoping I could let you all know about it.
So, here we are!
You can like the cafe on Facebook and keep track of the menu as it evolves. It already includes burgers, chips, cake and mouthwatering pancakes like the ones pictured above.
Support A Bite 2 Eat. It is only just over a week old and is the ONLY vegan food outlet in Doncaster.
Extra note: When I asked Anne if A Bite 2 Eat is 100% vegan she replied, “It is 100% vegan no compromise.”
Use your vegan voice to help shape the future of vegan pizza.
Brighton-based pizza restaurant Morelli Zorelli already serves vegan pizza but they want your help in expanding their plant-based range.
The sourdough base specialists have a full-time vegan pepperoni pizza on the menu and most vegetarian items can be veganised with Cheezly at no extra cost.
I’m currently in the southern seaside town of Brighton for the annual Vegfestcelebrations and I’m investing some time into getting to know some local vegan food.
One plant-based food experience came courtesy of a pizza restaurant called Pizza Face that delivered vegan food and beer to my hotel room.
If you have been living under a rock, I have two things to say to you:
1. What’s it like under there? I’ve always imagined it to be very snug.
2. VegfestUK Brighton is happening this weekend!
VegfestUK is mammoth and legendary. Attendees this year are set to enjoy more than 150 stands showcasing vegan food, products, activist groups, charities and more. Vegan comedians are going to attempt to make the crowd laugh and there will be plenty of vegan beer and cider doing the rounds.
I think there might be just a few of the 10 000 or so tickets remaining, so be very quick and book now.
Of course I didn’t want to be left out of proceedings, so I am setting up a very low key DIY postcard shop at stall Q16 on the ground floor. Please drop in to buy a few cards, pick up my event flyers, sign up to my email list and have a chat.
Postcards for sale
I will also be hosting a fabulous LGBT Social on Sunday at 1pm as part of Vegfest celebrations. Click here to read more.
And…. there is more.
I am a judge on the new product showcase. I get to be all judgemental! Click here to read about it.
Vicky took time out of her day to let me know about a special vegan lunch menu being prepared by students of Kirklees College in the northern town of Huddersfield.
The college has a restaurant on site, allowing students of the college to practise and hone their skills in a real world setting. It just so happens that the restaurant, Landings 72, has a special vegan event coming up in April.
This is what Vicky had to say:
Our restaurant at Kirklees College, Landings 72, is having a special vegan lunch menu on Thursday 30th April between midday and 1:30pm. There will be 3 courses available – all vegan, with options for each. It is to train our student catering staff and make them aware of special diets and how to cater for them. Our restaurant is open to the public and I would love as many vegans as possible to come along and try the menu and let us have your feedback – it will all help with their training.
The price will be approximately £9.95 for three courses. If you want to book a table now you can email landings72@kirkleescollege.ac.uk and we will let interested parties have more details on menu as they come to hand.
Just as a note – if you cannot make this date but want to try our restaurant (Tuesday-Friday lunchtimes or Thursday evenings), our students can always make a vegan meal on request.
Go on. Get along and support these food trainees as the develop their vegan skills. It sounds like great value for a fine dining experience.
OK. This is what we have been waiting for, people. It is time to put your money where your mouth is and support an independent business as it transitions from vegetarian to 100% vegan.
A few months ago, I put word out that I would like to support any non-vegan restaurants in their quest to turn their menu completely plant-based. My Operation: Go Vegan Stay Veganplan got a great response when announced and I’m thrilled to say it is now able to lend its support to Fortify Café of Maidstone, Kent.
Following my original post, Fortify head honcho James Hooper got in touch to let me know his team had been contemplating making the vegan switch for a while. Their popular Kent eatery has always featured a focus on tasty, plant-based whole foods created from scratch in their kitchen but dairy was still a component of some of the food and drink.
If you are keen to book tickets for a festival this year but are worried about not having any vegan food options while on site, put your mind at ease.
Red Rooster is a three-day music event featuring R&B, Americana, Soul, Blues, Roots and Country musicians. It sounds kinda awesome.
What’s this about vegan food options at the festival?
London street food champions Club Mexicanawill be at the Red Rooster festival serving up their celebrated, 100% vegan Mexican-inspired menu. Zero food options for compassionate revellers is no longer a problem.
