Crazy Bean in Great Bookham

Guest post by Alison:

My husband and I moved to Great Bookham in Surrey about 5 years ago, and love it here. It’s close to some spectacular countryside, and about an hour on the train from London. Not a lot in this area for vegans, though. When we became vegan just over a year ago, we would do trips down to Brighton, or get on the train into London, just to get some decent food we hadn’t cooked ourselves. Now that has all changed…

Crazy Bean cafe/restaurant opened in Great Bookham a week ago. It has a fully vegan menu so there is nothing to worry about except ‘what do I feel like eating today?’ Crazy Bean also has a licence, so customers can have vegan beer or wine with dinner, and it is over the road from our local pub! We can’t believe our luck!

I have been to Crazy Bean about four times now, as they ‘unofficially’ opened a few days before the official opening. I have had a couple of lunches, and have been there with my husband for dinner, and with friends for lunch over the opening weekend. Every visit has been a success; the food has been varied and tasty, and the service has been friendly and welcoming. The lunchtime menu has items like sausage rolls and stuffed aubergine, and the evening meal we had there was a set menu: mushroom parfait, risotto balls, and apple crumble. It is so nice to go in for some lunch, and also get a soya latte! (Unheard of in Bookham before!)

Krissi and Rob run Crazy Bean; they are keeping it pretty simple for the time being, while they get established in the village, but this will probably change as time goes by. They are always incredibly hospitable. I know that many non-vegans have visited the place since it has opened, and everyone has been pleasantly surprised with the food. The last thing I was expecting was a vegan establishment opening here, and I couldn’t be happier!

Visit Crazy Bean online.

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Vegan food in Mexico knows no limits

Are you getting tired of me raving about vegan food in Mexico City?

Apologies, but I can’t stop when I keep discovering more and more exquisite plant-based delicacies around every corner.

A few days ago, Josh and I headed to a gorgeous bistro called Coco y Chia and it has been a long while since a vegan eatery has impressed me to this level.

Firstly, the restaurant is gorgeous. Set opposite one of the prettiest public parks in the city, Coco y Chia is sweetly decorated with a shaded courtyard.

Then there is the food. Food on another level.

See the photos below showing a bowl of tortilla soup, tofu scramble with refried beans, sweet potato enchiladas with squash flowers and finally a raw cheesecake topped with luscious lychees.

First time visiting @cocoychia #vegan restaurant in Mexico City. Beautiful courtyard! #cdmx

A photo posted by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on

One of the best things I’ve ever eaten. Tortilla soup at Coco y Chia #vegan bistro in Mexico City. #cdmx

A photo posted by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on

Pretty special, right?

You can follow Coco y Chia on Instagram and Facebook. The food photos are exceptional.

Extra note: these photos originally appeared on my FGV Instagram account.

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100% vegan cruise in the South of France

Following on from our widely-successful New Year’s Eve cruise on the Danube, Vegan River Cruises and I have teamed up once again for a memorable 7 night/8 day journey along the Rhône river from Arles to Chalon-sur-Saône in the south of France.

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All of my expectations were blown away on the Danube cruise, so I am delighted to once again join forces with Dirk and Vegan River Cruises to explore a part of the world I’ve never experienced before. I’m especially excited to experience this gorgeous region of France during the autumn with an entire boat load of vegans.

As with all their ships, Vegan River Cruises have chartered a thoroughly modern boat packed solid with all the latest technology and attractions including private balconies, WiFi, spacious bathrooms, luxurious vegan toiletries, electric bicycles for on-shore use and vegan cooking demonstrations.

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Passengers on the South of France cruise will be treated to a 100% vegan experience with all meals and drinks included in the journey price. No extra money will be needed to enjoy wine, beer or cocktails and every single meal served during the cruise will be vegan.

It really is a vacation like no other for vegans. I’ll meet you at the bar on the first night!

The cruise departs Arles/Tarascon on October 22, 2016 and reaches its destination of Chalon-sur-Saône on October 29, 2016.

Click here for more information and to make booking enquires. The NYE cruise was booked solid so I imagine these cabins are going to go quickly. Be quick, book a cabin and join me on the Rhône.

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Money raised

Wow.

I know I put on some rollicking events, but even by my standards this week’s comedy fundraiser in the south London neighbourhood of Balham was a real good time.

Thanks to the generosity of the performers and food sponsors Fry’s Family Foods, my event raised just over £1000 for Hugletts Wood Farm Animal Sanctuary. Yes, £1000! (£1005.45 to be exact)

Guests laughed heartily at the joke telling of our host Carl Donnelly and the impressive line up of talent he assembled for the night. Eddy Brimson was a real crowd favourite, as was Jake Yapp with his explanation of the stages of being vegan. Lou Sanders was outrageous in the best possible way, while I can’t thank Wendy Wason and Chris Martin enough for stepping in at the last minute when two of our original line up dropped out.

These comedians donated their time and talent to ensure this night was a massive fundraising success, so please take a moment to click on each of their names and thank them for supporting animals.

Can we talk about the food for a second?

Fry’s really made things special by serving hundreds of their brand new Rice Protein & Chia Nuggets, as well as trays and trays overflowing with their famous Sausage Rolls. Every single guest was also offered one of the new Falafel Burgers, served in a soft bun with aioli and fresh rocket.

Check out my superstar sister-in-law Sophia dealing with food hosting duties on the night.

Those burgers were delicious!

Tammy Fry Kelly of Fry’s Family Foods was on hand to welcome guests and let them know a little more about the company and the new range. You can click here to see some of the products we served on the night.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this night a huge success.

If you would like to help the rescued animals of Hugletts, please visit this fundraising page and give what you can.


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We’re on the telly

My inbox just blew up big time.

Every single person in the UK is desperate to let me know that my fab monthly party, Queer Vegan Disco, was mentioned on a Channel 4 program tonight. The Night Bus is a fly-on-the-wall docu-series that showcases the people of London as they attempt to get home on the night bus network in the early hours following the closure of the Underground trains.

Tonight featured the number 29 from Wood Green which means the wonderful Michelle and Mat were featured moments after leaving Queer Vegan Disco.

Check out the video!

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Best vegan food

I’m currently in California where I’m enjoying sunshine, friends and a hell of a lot of fabulous vegan food.

The place where these three components met in perfect unison was the 6th Annual Los Angeles Vegan Beer & Food Festival. Thousands and thousands of revellers converged on the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for a day of drinking, eating and socialising.

Check out some of the impressive food photos I shot on the day, as well as photos taken by my friends. Try not to drool.

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