London gets a vegan pie and mash shop

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Do you know what is a great feeling?

I absolutely adore when a vegan business I love and support takes a big leap forward. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Carla and Marco from Young Vegans have worked harder than most people I know to perfect the food they serve around London. Their pies and mash (served with gorgeous gravy) have been one of the smash hits at Hackney Downs Vegan Market where they trade every Saturday.

Seitan and ale, curry, all day breakfast, and sweet potato pies served by this street food trader are some of the finest food you’ll get anywhere in the UK. The fact that the people behind the pies are the nicest, funniest, and coolest folk I’ve met makes it even harder to stay away from their food.

I just want to see them do well.

Which is why I am thrilled to let you all know that Young Vegans now have a brand new pie shop in Camden!

Check out these photos from the recently opened outlet.

The shop is located in Camden Lock Market, right at the end of the narrow cobble stone alley between the Lock Market and The Stables Market. Click here to see the location thanks to Google Maps.

Follow Young Vegans on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Get into their shop ASAP. Tell them FGV loves them.

New seitan katsu curry

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Wagamama has officially launched a seitan katsu curry on their menu at their Soho based restaurant, noodle lab.

Noodle lab is a brand-new development kitchen, open to the public with its very own exclusive menu that is changed every four weeks. Items are trialled and if the feedback is positive, Wagamama will roll them out across the UK.

You can click here to see the location of noodle lab online.

 

Check out the photo below and let me know what you think if you try this innovative dish.

 

Doppleganger burgers

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After receiving 5 star reviews and enjoying a sell out string of pop-ups last month in Cambridge, Doppleganger Burgers are set to come to London in November.

At The Grocery, Kingsland Road on Friday 10th & Saturday 11th of November, 2017 attendees will have the opportunity to taste three of the company’s mouthwatering vegan burgers and sample their vegan date shakes.

Doppleganger Burgers are made from a marinated umami soya-protein patti, loaded with a range of signature toppings from vegan ‘bacon & cheeze’ to ‘hoision duck’, all served in a lightly toasted
bun.

Alfy Fowler, Founder and Head Chef at Doppleganger has said, “At Doppleganger we have one clear aim, to create 100% based plant based burgers that are accessible to everyone. Receiving such positive feedback from our last pop-up in Cambridge, we realised our next logical step was to come to London where the number of people in the capital adopting a vegan lifestyle has increased dramatically.”

Tickets to the pop-up event are limited and are available online here for £12.49 which includes a choice of
Doppleganger Burgers and a side of hand-cut fries. Diners will be able to purchase a selection of vegan wine and beer at the venue.

You can follow Doppleganger on Instagram.

Tacos al pastor recipe

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Ingredients:

  • Large​​ chunk​​ of​​ seitan​​​​ (use​​​ this​​ recipe​)
  • 1​ ​Ancho​ ​chile
  • 1​ ​Chipotle​ ​chile
  • 1​ ​Roma​ ​tomato
  • 1​ ​teaspoon​ ​pink​ ​salt
  • 1⁄4​ ​cup​ ​apple​ ​cider​ ​vinegar
  • Fist-sized​ ​bunch​ ​of​ ​coriander​ ​plus​ ​a​ ​few​ ​sprigs to​ ​serve
  • 1⁄2​ ​white​ ​onion
  • 1​ ​tin​ ​of​ ​pineapple​ ​chunks​ ​in​ ​syrup
  • 1⁄4​ ​cup​ ​golden​ ​sugar
  • 1​ ​cup​ ​achiote​ ​paste*
  • 1​ ​teaspoon​ ​garlic​ ​powder
  • 1​ ​teaspoon​ ​ground​ ​cumin
  • 1⁄2​ ​teaspoon​ ​ground​ ​celery​ ​seed
  • 1​ ​teaspoon​ ​dried​ ​oregano

*If​ ​you​ ​cannot​ ​find​ ​achiote​ ​paste,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​buy​ ​annatto​ ​seeds​ ​and​ ​make​ ​your​ ​own​ ​with​ ​​this​ ​recipe

Instructions:

-​ ​Place​ ​to​ ​two​ ​dried​ ​chiles​ ​in​ ​a​ ​small​ ​pan​ ​and​ ​pour​ ​in​ ​enough​ ​water​ ​to​ ​cover​ ​them
-​ ​Bring​ ​water​ ​to​ ​the​ ​boil​ ​then​ ​switch​ ​off​ ​to​ ​allow​ ​chiles​ ​to​ ​soften
-​ ​Meanwhile,​ ​place​ ​all​ ​of​ ​the​ ​other​ ​ingredients​ ​​except​ ​​the​ ​achiote​ ​paste​ ​and​ ​seitan​ ​in​ ​the​ ​blender
-​ ​Once​ ​the​ ​chiles​ ​in​ ​the​ ​pan​ ​have​ ​softened,​ ​remove​ ​them​ ​and​ ​pat​ ​them​ ​dry
-​ ​Unless​ ​you​ ​want​ ​this​ ​dish​ ​extra​ ​spicy,​ ​carefully​ ​remove​ ​the​ ​seeds​ ​from​ ​the​ ​chiles​ ​and​ ​place​ ​the​ ​flesh​ ​in the​ ​blender
-​ ​Blend​ ​the​ ​ingredients​ ​for​ ​a​ ​few​ ​minutes​ ​until​ ​a​ ​smooth​ ​paste/liquid​ ​is​ ​formed
-​ ​Pour​ ​liquid​ ​into​ ​a​ ​medium-sized​ ​saucepan​ ​and​ ​place​ ​on​ ​a​ ​medium​ ​heat
-​ ​While​ ​that​ ​heats,​ ​take​ ​your​ ​seitan​ ​and​ ​roughly​ ​chop​ ​into​ ​cubes
-​ ​Place​ ​seitan​ ​chunks​ ​in​ ​a​ ​large​ ​bowl​ ​and​ ​pour​ ​in​ ​the​ ​heated​ ​liquid.​ ​Set​ ​aside​ ​to​ ​marinade
-​ ​Meanwhile,​ ​place​ ​the​ ​chopped​ ​pineapple​ ​in​ ​a​ ​large​ ​flat-bottomed​ ​non-stick​ ​pan
-​ ​Brown​ ​pineapple​ ​chunks​ ​on​ ​both​ ​sides​ ​then​ ​set​ ​aside
-​ ​In​ ​a​ ​large​ ​frying​ ​pan,​ ​place​ ​the​ ​seitan​ ​chunks​ ​and​ ​any​ ​remaining​ ​liquid​ ​and​ ​place​ ​on​ ​a​ ​high​ ​heat
-​ ​Cook​ ​until​ ​the​ ​liquid​ ​reduces​ ​and​ ​the​ ​seitan​ ​chunks​ ​start​ ​to​ ​brown
-​ ​Serve​ ​seitan​ ​chunks​ ​on​ ​warmed​ ​corn​ ​tortillas​ ​with​ ​the​ ​pineapple​ ​chunks,​ ​guacamole,​ ​chopped​ ​white onion​ ​and​ ​fresh​ ​coriander/cilantro

Recipe​ ​and​ ​photo​ ​remain​ ​property​ ​of​ ​Sean​ ​O’Callaghan​ ​and​ ​may​ ​not​ ​be​ ​reproduced​ ​without​ ​permission. ©​ ​fatgayvegan.com

Try the FGV boot

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I have to be honest and say this wasn’t a childhood dream in the same way releasing a book was, but how darn cool is it that I have just released a Fat Gay Vegan boot?!

I’ve teamed up with an ethical boot manufacturer to create the FGV Vaquita.

The gorgeous boot is made in Portugal and its features include:

  • 100% vegan (of course)
  • durable and water-resistant black patent microfibre upper
  • 1 pair of thin waxed pink laces
  • 1 pair of thick waxed black laces
  • Pink faux-fleece lining

If you want to try this boot on before they are released to the public on a wider scale, I am hosting an exclusive VegfestUK London viewing of the boot THIS WEEKEND (Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October, 2017).

We will have the boot in sizes EUR36/UK3 all the way up to EUR46/UK12.

If you love the boot and want to order a pair after trying, we will give you a 10% off voucher so you can order your very own pair online.

The boot will not be available in stores for a little while so this is your chance to try the boot on for size, be certain you like the fit, and order now for savings.

If you celebrate birthdays or Christmas, this is the perfect way to ensure you get a gift that is comfortable and fabulous. Bring the present buyer along with you!

I hope you love this boot as much as I do.

The Fat Gay Vegan stall at VegfestUK London is number U45 on level 3. I am also selling early release copies of my first ever book.

Vegan chocolate box

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It’s that time of year when I say that I don’t celebrate Christmas but I do celebrate chocolate.

Now that I have that out of the way, let’s all celebrate this new selection box by Moo Free Chocolates.

How fabulous does this look?!

The box retails for £4.79 and includes:

  • Original Chocolate Santa Bar
  • Original Chocolate Snowman Bar
  • Mini Moos Minty Moo
  • Mini Moos Cheeky Orange
  • Original Choccy Drops

Look for this in your local retailers or order from the company direct online if you run a retail outlet.

Extra note: Moo Free Chocolates is included on the Food Empowerment Project list of trustworthy chocolate manufacturers. See the full list here.

The list reflects Food Empowerment Project’s most recent research on companies that make vegan products containing chocolate to find out if they source their chocolate from areas where slavery can still be found.

Moo Free gets the thumbs up!

Best at VegfestUK London 2017

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It is that time of year again. VegfestUK London is set to throw open its doors to consumers and activists this weekend (Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October, 2017) at London Olympia.

The full show guide can be found online, but I wanted to highlight some of my top picks for the show.

Let’s take a look!

A post shared by Kizzyscookies (@kizzyscookies) on

I adore Kizzy’s Cookies. They are just the right amount of chewy.

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My number one pick for food vendor at the show this year is What The Pitta!. Stunning comfort food that I can’t get enough of.

I always make time for the vegan wagon wheels by Ananda’s.

Conscious Chocolate bars are exquisite and maybe the most luxurious treat I know.

Tofurky is one of the true superstar vegan brands on the planet and they will be selling their new gran and go sandwiches.

A vegan show is not a vegan show without Follow Your Heart. Get your Vegenaise at show prices!

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My book! I will be selling early release copies of my first ever book and will even be presenting some of the themes of the book during a talk in the auditorium on Saturday at 4pm.

You can buy your advance tickets for VegfestUK London online now.

My friend Dex

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My friend Dex very kindly allowed me to share this:

All this #metoo stuff has got me thinking (more so than usual) about the shit that I’ve put up with over the years and how I’m still so fucking angry at myself that I smiled and giggled through some nasty shit because it was “the polite thing to do” and to “not cause trouble over such trivial incidents because boys will be boys”.

If I could teach my younger self things, I’d explain to her what emotional abuse was, I’d tell her not to listen to her mother and always kick boys in the dick when they touch her inappropriately, I’d tell her she has a pretty severe right hook and that old men go down like a sack of shit so punch away, baby girl, punch them as hard as you can when they grope you.

I’d tell her this isn’t an isolated incident, to be brave and to stand up to these jerks so that they think twice about doing it to other women. I’d tell her that it’s okay to walk away from men who belittle her and make her feel uncomfortable because she didn’t want to do certain things and to never stay to make them happy.

I’d tell her she wasn’t alone.

Follow Dex and her vegan food adventures on Instagram.

Series of Mexican food events

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I am thrilled to present the 6th annual vegan Day of the Dead celebration as part of a series of three dining events across London.

Each event is curated by superstar vegan chef Mariana Blanco of the legendary Los Loosers, Mexico City.

Los Loosers have been profiled by many news outlets including Los Angeles Times, Financial Times, Facebook, Vice, Time Out, and many more.

These events are going to be in high demand, so please book quickly to avoid disappointment.

November 2 – Day of the Dead reception

  • Gorgeous 10 Cable Street venue in central London
  • Mexican canapés
  • Beer and cocktail bar available
  • Limited to 50 guests
  • Facebook event page here
  • Book tickets now

November 4 – Mexico City Feast Night

  • Black Cat Cafe takeover in Hackney
  • Two sittings available – early or late
  • Mexico City menu full of comfort food
  • Limited to 25 guests per sitting
  • Facebook event here
  • Book tickets now

November 6 – Mexican Ramen Night

  • VeganHQ takeover in South Ealing/West London location
  • Japanese/Mexican fusion
  • Extremely limited seating of just 20 guests
  • Facebook event here
  • Book tickets now

Los Loosers is considered by many (including FGV) to be one of the best vegan food providers on the planet and these exclusive London events are sure to sell out quickly.

Follow Los Loosers on Instagram to see their gorgeous food.

Extra note: lots of love, gratitude and awe to Ricardo for the glorious event flyer.