Vegan

Frozen food brand goes meat free for January and maybe forever

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January means Veganuary for a lot of people, so premium frozen food brand Thyme is taking part in the celebrations by supporting its UK customers by going entirely meat-free for the month of January including the launch of their first Thyme To Try Vegan meal box.

Thyme told me their mission is simple: to make it easier, to eat better.

A lack of time, recipe inspiration and know-how are often cited as reasons why it can be difficult to successfully navigate and maintain a purely meat-free regime.

Thyme aims to make real, honest, slow-food a lot easier, much quicker and far more convenient simply by using the freezer. They are taking out the roadblocks for people who feel eating vegan is too difficult or complicated.

Thyme creates deliciously fresh food under its own label as well as supporting upcoming independent brands through its online market place. Food is delivered frozen, directly to their customer’s door.

Satisfying the hunger of Britain’s fastest growing food phenomenon (yes, I’m talking about plant-based eating!) the Thyme to Try Vegan Box provides 3 meals and 3 sides including wholesome Blackbean & Sweet Potato Chilli, Butternut Squash & Chickpea Curry, Roasted Root Vegetables and Crispy Chilli Potato Bakes all for just the special offer price of £10.

The Thyme To Try Vegan box is available for £10 throughout January when using promotional code ‘try for 10’. Usual price £20.

Thyme has announced they will become a meat-free brand forever if the January meat-free trial is successful.

“It’s time for change,” said Thyme Managing Director Heidi Thompson. “Will Thyme be meat-free? Our fate is in our customers’ hands and we’re very excited to see where they take us.”

What do you think? Are you going to order some Thyme cuisine? Click here to order and don’t forget to use ‘try for 10’ to get the special price.

You can follow Thyme on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Extra note: Thyme paid a fee in order for fatgayvegan.com to share this news. 10% of this fee is being donated to Isla Urbana, a water security initiative in Mexico City.

Fab vegan café in Paris

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Here is a quick and cute post to let you know about a wonderful vegan café and bakery in Paris called Cloud Cakes.

Cloud Cakes is nestled away just a few blocks to the north of the world-famous Louvre museum.

The café features a case packed full of gorgeous patisserie and fresh croissants.

I headed along for a recent Sunday brunch and was blown away by the quality of the cuisine. The scramble was perfect and I’ve never been as happy as I was when I was devouring the warm croissants with a glass of orange juice.

Check out my photos below but before you do, take a moment to follow Cloud Cakes on Instagram. See the exact location of the café thanks to Google Maps.

Vegan restaurant chain opens 4th location

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Superstar vegan restaurant chain Arancini Brothers now has a fourth location in London, this time south of the river!

The 100% vegan restaurant chain is famous for its Sicilian risotto balls, flavoursome wraps, and decadent burgers. With much-adored outlets in Old Street, Kentish Town, and Dalston this fast and nutritious food chain has already established a solid hold north of the river.

Owner and founder Dave told me:

“We are opening our fourth location at Arch 34 Maltby Street, Bermondsey. We have come such a long way since we started with a simple street food concept in Brick Lane Market almost ten years ago!”

You can eat with Arancini Brothers at their Maltby Street location between 9:30am and 9:30pm, 7 days a week. The location is good for dining in, taking away, or having food delivered.


In other huge news, Arancini Brothers has become the first ever UK chain to offer a franchise opportunity.

Yes, it is your chance to franchise a vegan restaurant!

Arancini Brothers are now looking for franchise partners to open and run versions of their wildly successful business all over the UK and the planet.

If you think you have what it takes (including the funds!) to open a location of this popular vegan food business in your area, click here to read more about the franchise opportunity.

Be sure to get into the Bermondsey location as soon as you can in order to eat some amazing vegan food and congratulate Arancini Brothers on their deserved success.

You can follow Arancini Brothers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to visit their website.

Extra news: to help Arancini Brothers celebrate the opening of their fourth London restaurant, I am running an Instagram follower drive. I am trying to get them to 15,000 followers! They are just short of 10k so we need to work hard to get them there. Follow them on Instagram now.

Support one of London’s true vegan originals

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Here is a quick post to tell you two things.

  1. I need to remind you that GreenBay Supermarket in Fulham still exists and as one of London’s best independently-owned vegan businesses, you should take a moment shop with them when you have the funds.
  2. GreenBay has just started selling copies of my first ever book. Eat, Drink and Live Like You Give a Sh!t costs £8.99 and if you buy from them online or in the shop, they get to keep half of the money!

Click here to buy it from their online store. While you are there, grab a basketful of vegan groceries and enjoy next day delivery in the UK!

GreenBay is a fully-stocked vegan grocery store located on North End Road but if you can’t get in there, you can shop online and they will bring the good stuff to you.

The shelves are overflowing with all manner of compassionate products including cheese, meats, pastas, personal care items, drinks, yogurts, chocolates, and pretty much anything you could want or need.

You can follow GreenBay on Instagram.

Vegan yoga retreat in Dorset

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My friend (and all-round vegan yoga superstar) Louise Wallis is hosting an amazing yoga retreat in May 2019.

And you wanna get booking because space is limited and these retreats ALWAYS book up super quickly.

Celebrate the May Day Bank Holiday weekend and the first stirrings of summer with 4 days and 3 nights of yoga and delicious vegan food in an idyllic location. Take a dip in the indoor heated pool, walk to the beach, or sit by the campfire (or wood burner) and relish every moment.

Treat yourself to:

  • 4 x days and 3 x nights full-board stay in a beautiful eco-Retreat
  • Exclusive use of the venue & all facilities, including heated pool (see photo below)
  • 8 x Yoga / Meditation / Relaxation classes
  • Delicious vegan meals prepared by the resident Chef (mainly organic, local produce)
  • Complimentary gift bag
  • Free WiFi and parking

The venue

Bonhays Retreat Centre is a magical place. A secluded sanctuary, nestled in Dorset’s rolling hills between Bridport and Lyme Regis, and just 2 miles from Charmouth beach. With its heated pool, comfortable accommodation, valley views, and tranquil location it’s the perfect getaway.

If you are interested in finding out prices, accommodation types, and the yoga schedule for this May 3 – May 6, 2019 retreat, see all the information online now.

My most liked Instagram posts of 2018

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The title says it all.

Below are the most liked posts from my FGV Instagram account during 2018. The most liked is at the bottom of the list.

Enjoy!

Follow me on Instagram.

Vegan eateries in Hampshire UK

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If you often find yourself in or around the Hampshire region of the UK, you need to make time to dine with these two family-owned vegan eateries.

Offbeet have locations in Wickham and New Forest… and the food looks sensational, as does the decor.

Vicky from Offbeet gave me a bit of an insight into what makes them tick:

Here at OFFBEET we offer innovative plant based food and drink in a unique setting. We’re passionate about sourcing the best, ethical and sustainable ingredients and products for our customers; better for us and better for the planet! Our menu is kept local and seasonal, with our organic fruit and veg coming from the vegetable farm we are located on, so we always have new and exciting dishes being developed. We have an onsite cookery school offering intimate classes focusing on practical learning and challenging the status quo of vegan cuisine. Come and check us out.

Before I show you some of these glorious food photos, I want you to know you can follow the eateries on Instagram. The Wickham location is here and the New Forest location here.

How fabulous!

This food looks world class.

You can see the exact location of each restaurant thanks to Google Maps. Click here for Wickham and here for the New Forest.

Click here to find out more information about the Offbeet cooking classes.

Christmas cheese shopping in London

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I’m not wasting your time here. You just need and want the cheesy facts.

We have three days of fantastic vegan Christmas markets coming up this week in London, so that means plenty of opportunities to grab your festive cheese supplies.

Take note of which brands are appearing where and get there EARLY on the day. The cheese always sells out quickly at this time of year:

Friday December 21, 2018 at City Vegan Lunch Market – Christmas Edition on Guildhall Yard in the City of London between 11am and 2:30pm

  • Nutkin – nut based cheeses that are current Venn Street faves
  • I AM NUT OK – gourmet artisan cheese taking the UK by storm
  • Kinda Co. – one of the true vegan cheese superstars of 2018

Saturday December 22, 2018 at the FGV section of Venn Street Market in Clapham between 10am and 4pm

  • Nutkin – nut based cheeses and our resident Venn Street trader

Saturday December 22, 2018 at the FINAL weekend for Hackney Downs Vegan Market between 11am and 4pm

Sunday December 23, 2018 at the FINAL weekend for Hackney Downs Vegan Market between 11am and 4pm

Support these independent cheese traders and make your festive table extra special.

Extra note: the markets will be overflowing with hot food, cakes, drinks, and gift ideas so please make an effort to support these traders on the final weekend before Christmas.

New vegan desserts and spreads

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UK company Norty is making delicious vegan desserts in Bristol before shipping them all over the UK.

And you can order online!

Check out these gorgeous flavours:

The Norty puds come in three flavours: Banoffee, Salted Choc, and Xmas Choc Orange.

You can also pick up some nut butters (Chai Spiced Peanut Butter, Choc Hazelnut Butter, or Salted Caramel Cashew Butter) and drink blends (Hot Chocolate or Turmeric Latte).

Click here to shop online and follow Norty on Instagram.

Extra note: Norty is currently raising funds for expansion via Kickstarter. Click here to see the campaign.

Exclusive Thai pop up supper club in London

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Superstar street food trader Greedy Khao had such a great response to their last supper club, they have just announced another… and you can choose from three dates!

Get all the info on Greedy Khao’s Aharn-Jaan-Deaw below. It sounds truly sensational.

Thai food is often enjoyed in the ‘family-style’ of eating, where a range of mouth-watering dishes are placed in the centre of the dinner table for everyone to share. This is a beautiful way to appreciate food while bonding with loved ones, but it isn’t the only way that Thais eat.

Sometimes Thais enjoy individual dishes, similar to the Western style, whether they are grabbing a bowl from a street food vendor with friends, or simply eating alone. As such, some Thai dishes are designed to be one perfect, complete meal, where all components are carefully selected to complement one another, and the goal is one plateful – or bowlful – of pure culinary satisfaction.

This event is a showcase of some of chef and co-owner Faai’s all-time favourite aharn-jaan-daew. Each dish is deeply connected to a special time or place in Faai’s life, from her childhood, to moving to London four years ago, to her life in the UK capital today.

Vegan fried egg

View the menu below:

APPETISER
Satay Khun-Ying | สะเต๊ะคุณหญิง
Khun-Ying’s Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce and Aa-jaad Relish

Faai’s grandmother, Khun-Ying Uraiwan, was very picky when it came to her Satay platter. Everything had to be right – succulent and well-marinated meat, rich and moreish peanut sauce, a side of perfectly balanced sweet & sour aa-jaad relish, and of course some warm, toasted bread. Yes, Thais eat their Satay with bread, and that’s exactly how they are serving theirs.

MAIN
KAA-MOO MANTOU | ขาหมูหมั่นโถว
Stewed ‘Pork Knuckle’ with Mantou

An homage to Faai’s memory of the first time she had this combo – at the seaside town of Hua Hin with her best friend Pat and her parents. Five-spiced stewed ‘pork knuckle’ with pickled mustard greens, Chinese broccoli, and chilli & vinegar dip. Served alongside a fluffy Chinese steamed bun.

KHAO-MUN-GAI | ข้าวมันไก่
Thai-style Hainanese ‘Chicken’ Rice

This is a true street food favourite, and exists in various forms throughout South-East Asia. It’s also the first dish that Faai cooked for her whole family, impressing and surprising them in equal measure! Tender ‘skin-on chick’n’ with ginger and garlic infused jasmine rice, and traditional fermented bean dip.

PAD-KAPRAO NUERSUB KAI-DAO | ผัดกะเพราเนื้อสับไข่ดาว
Spicy Stir-fry with Thai Holy Basil, topped with ‘Fried Egg’

Dubbed ‘Aharn Sin Kid’ (lit. ‘food that requires no thought’) by Thais – this dish is a true crowd pleaser & the nation’s favourite. There has been endless debate amongst Thais whether a Pad-Kaprao should have added veggies or not. Greedy Khao side with the Traditional approach – no unnecessary fillers, only beautiful Thai Holy Basil. Topped with their famous and much-anticipated sunny-side up ‘egg’.

DESSERT
WOON-MAPRAO-ONN | วุ้นมะพร้าวอ่อน
Young Coconut Jelly

Faai’s mum Skowrat loves everything floral, and food is no exception. She shared her creations and they were so jaw-dropping that they just had to share it on this menu! Cool and refreshing young coconut jelly, filled with handcrafted flowers made from coconut cream. Light, delicate – an exquisite way to end a flavour-packed meal.

Young coconut jelly

This is the Thai food of a true Thai foodie, and Greedy Khao can’t wait to share it with you.

Greedy Khao’s Aharn-Jaan-Deaw is taking place at 10 Cable Street on Thursday January 31 2018, and Friday 1 and Saturday 2 February 2018.

Click here to buy tickets and follow Greedy Khao on Instagram.

Extra note: Greedy Khao are celebrating reaching 10k Instagram followers by giving away a pair of tickets to this event. Get over to their Instagram account for details.