Vegan market intensity

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Here is a quick blog post to reiterate my feelings about community markets.

Get out of your house and START A VEGAN MARKET.

I hosted my monthly Hackney Downs Vegan Market on Saturday and to say in was swamped by people would be a monumental understatement.

Check out this photo I shared from the day.

Thousands of vegans and vegan-curious people swarmed the market and many of the vendors could not cope with the demand. Cake stands that thought they would be safe by showing up with hundreds of cakes sold out within the first few hours. Temple of Seitan sold out of almost 500 bacon cones with hours still remaining of the event. Battered sold hundreds of portions of vegan fish. Big V had their busiest day at our market ever. Café SoVegan know how to make a lot of food and they sold out completely for the first time ever.

Some people have suggested that we should have more stalls or that the vendors should make more food. Neither of these things can happen. Our space has limitations around the number of stalls permitted and the vendors are making as much food as they possibly can. They are stretched beyond their limits.

The answer to this problem is simple.

More people need to run more vegan markets around London. You can see that the demand clearly exists. When thousands and thousands of people show up to my market on the same day as a sold out 1,000 person vegan food event is also being staged in Kings Cross, you know there is not enough being done to meet the demand.

I am only one person and I do what I can, but we are in desperate need of other community-minded people to step up and start local markets that celebrate and support independent businesses.

Start small. Don’t think that 4,000 people are going to swarm your event. Keep it local. You can do it if you simply start. Get an idea and run with it.

Do it for your neighbourhood. Do it for the business owners. Do it for the animals.

Beer list for Glasgow Vegan Beer Fest

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The 2nd annual Glasgow Vegan Beer Fest is fast approaching so it makes sense that I tell you about the massive beer list that has been compiled by Williams Bros for the event.

There are cask beers, keg beers ad one hell of a can/bottle line up. We even have a handful of gluten free beers and ciders. Add to that wine, cocktails, a glorious food line up and all-day karaoke and I think it’s safe to say we are in for a fabulous day.

Tickets to the event are just £4 plus tiny booking fee if you book online in advance or £7 on the door if we have space. Book now.

Here is the beer!

CASK

  • LOCH LOMOND – SILKIE STOUT (5% Stout)
  • WINDSWEPT – MAROONED (5.2% Blackcurrant Wheat Beer)
  • CROMARTY –ROGUE WAVE (5.7% Extra Pale Ale)
  • TOP OUT – SOUTH FACE (5.9% Red IPA)
  • TEMPEST – ARMADILLO (3.8% Session Pale Ale)
  • FALLEN – NEW WORLD ODYSSEY (4.1% Blonde)
  • DRYGATE – 7 PEAKS (5% Mosaic IPA)
  • CROSS BORDERS – BRAW (5.2% Pale Ale)
  • TRYST – CHOCOLATE COCONUT PORTER (4.4% Coconut Porter)
  • WILLIAMS BROS – BIRDS & BEES (4.3% Summer Ale)
  • SWANNAY – ISLAND HOPPING (3.9% NZ Pale Ale)
  • BLACK ISLE – YELLOWHAMMER (4% Anytime IPA)

CIDER

  • THISTLY x – TRADITIONAL (4.4% Sweet Cider)
  • THISTLY x – ELDERFLOWER (4.0% Sweet Floral Cider)
  • THISTLY x – STRAWBERRY (4.0% Fruit Cider)
  • THISTLY x – CLOUDY (5.5% Dry Cider)

KEG

  • PILOT – BLØNDE (4.0% Oatmeal Pale)
  • UP FRONT – YOJO (5.2% Kalamansi & Passionfruit Gose)
  • WILLIAMS BROS – CAESAR AUGUSTUS (4.1% Lager/IPA Hybrid)
  • OUT OF TOWN & DEAD END BREW MACHINE – GORSE SAISON (6.2% Foraged Saison Collab)
  • TINY REBEL – CLWB TROPICANA (5.5% Tropical Pale Ale)
  • TIMMERMANS – STRAWBERRY (4.0% Lambic Fruit Beer)

PACKAGED

  • LOCH LOMOND – OUT OF RANGE (5.9% East Coast IPA) (33cl CAN)
  • WILLIAMS BROS – SCORPION & THE FROG (8.9% Mid Atlantic Brown Ale) (33cl CAN)
  • UP FRONT – ISHMAEL (6% IPA) (33cl CAN)
  • UP FRONT – AHAB (6% Stout) (33cl CAN)
  • CLOUDWATER – PILSNER DANA (4.7% Pilsner) (44cl CAN)
  • ODELL – ST LUPULIN (6.5% Extra Pale Ale) (33cl CAN)
  • NORTHERN MONK – FAITH (5.4% American Pale Ale) (44cl CAN)
  • BEAVERTOWN – LUPULOID (6.7% IPA) (33cl CAN)
  • BEERBLIOTEK – SESSION IPA (5.0% Swedish Session IPA) (33cl CAN)
  • HITACHINO NEST – WHITE ALE (5.5% Wit Beer) (35cl CAN)
    MAGIC ROCK – HIGH WIRE (5.5% West Coat Pale Ale) (33cl CAN)
  • VICTORY – PRIMA PILS (5.3% American Pilsner) (35.5cl CAN)
  • YEASTIE BOYS – GUNNAMATTA (6.5% Earl Grey Tea IPA) (33cl CAN)
  • MARBLE – EMBER CITY (6.0% Red Ale) (33cl CAN)
  • STONE BREWING CO. (BERLIN) – GO TO IPA (4.8% Session IPA) (33cl CAN)
  • MOOR- AMOOR (4.5% Porter) (33cl CAN)
  • NORTH BREWING CO. – SPUTNIK (5.0% IPA) (33cl CAN)
  • BRASSERIE d’ORVAL – ORVAL (6.2% Trappist Ale)
  • LINDEMANS – CUVEE RENE KRIEK (7.0% Cherry Lambic) (37.5cl)
  • TIMMERMANS – PECHE (4.0% Peach Lambic) (33cl)
  • TEMPEST – MANGO BERLINER (4.0% Mango Kettle Sour) (33cl)
  • BUXTON – IMPERIAL BLACK (7.5% Black IPA) (33cl)
  • BROOKLYN – SORACHI ACE (7.2% Sorachi Saison) (35.5cl)
  • DUGGES – HIGH FIVE (6.5% Swedish IPA) (33cl)
  • FIERCE – VERY BERRY SOUR (4.5% Berry Sour) (33cl)
  • ROCKET BREWING – ATTACK OF THE BRETT ZOMBIES (8.6% Funky Barley Wine) (33cl)
  • SCHLENKERLA RAUCHBIER – MÄRZEN (5.1% Rauchbier) (50cl)
  • SCHNEIDER – ‘TAP 5’ MEINE HOPFEN-WEISSE (8.2% Weizenbock) (50cl)
  • THE KERNEL – PALE ALE HALLERTAU BLANC (5.3% Single Hop Pale Ale) (50cl)
  • WIPER & TRUE – CITRUS BAY (9.5% Imperial IPA) (33cl)
  • 6 DEGREES NORTH – CHOPPER STOUT (4.1% Stout) (33cl)
  • BLACK ISLE – GOLDFINCH (3.5% Gluten Free Session IPA) (33cl)
  • WESTERHAM – BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (4% Gluten Free Pilsner) (33cl)
  • TO ØL – TOTEM PASSION (2.2% Gluten Free Passionfruit Pale Ale) (33cl CAN)
  • BELLFIELD – BOHEMIAN PILSNER (4.5% Gluten Free Lager)
  • BELLFIELD – LAWLESS VILLAGE IPA (4.5 % Gluten Free IPA)

Now, that is a more-than-decent beer list.

Book your tickets now and RSVP on the Facebook event page.

Donuts business changes names

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Hey everyone.

If you have been to any of my events over the past year or so, you will be familiar with the glorious fried, glazed and filled donuts made by Peanut Butter Bakery.

The food these magicians produce is otherworldly and definitely the finest vegan donuts I’ve tasted in the UK.

If you are coming along to Hackney Downs Vegan Market this weekend, you should prepare yourself for a little change. Peanut Butter Bakery has a new name and now goes by Dough Society.

They have a new menu that includes iced coffees to match the new name.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BX3NQP8j4Ww/

You can follow Dough Society on Instagram.

Hot desks available in Hackney

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Do you know where Hackney Downs Vegan Market takes place?

Hackney Downs Studios is a gorgeous multi-use space right next to Hackney Downs. The site houses performance spaces, working studios, a restaurant, offices, workshops, and retail outlets.

It has recently come to my attention that Hackney Downs Studios also has a fabulous collaborative workspace with a fantastic garden area. It is known as Palm Space.

Adam at the Studios told me that Palm Space has been specially designed to be a place for creativity and peacefulness. The vision is for it to develop into a hub for film makers, designers, artists, writers, and anyone looking for a work space in east London.

The beautifully designed space spills out into a gorgeous garden where residents can work alongside other self starters and creative people… and who wouldn’t want a working space right in the middle of the site that houses the best vegan market in London?!

Hot desking begins at £100 per month and fixed desk prices range from £195 to £225. You need to get in touch with Adam via adam@eatworkart.com if you think you would enjoy running your business, art project or writing assignment from one of these desks in one of the coolest locations in London.

If you are coming along to Hackney Downs Vegan Market on Saturday August 19, 2017 you can join Adam for a walk through of Palm Space at 2pm and 3pm. Just meet at the front door of Autumn Yard restaurant.

Vegan shortbread and cookies

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The Vegan Treaterie is a brand new baking business launching in London this month.

The high end and super fancy baked goods are sold in reusable tins and the range is a rotating selection of biscuits, cookies and shortbread. Yes, vegan shortbread!

The Vegan Treaterie will be popping up at London markets starting August 2017, including an appearance at this month’s Hackney Downs Vegan Market.

Follow The Vegan Treaterie on Instagram and pop down on the weekend to be one of the first in the capital to try the products. Keep an eye on this company if you are further afield as they plan to start selling online soon.

New vegan cheese business

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I know I complain about not being able to keep up with vegan developments, but for real I cannot keep up with all the artisan vegan cheese flying at my face.

One such new nut cheese business on the block is called The Cashew Family and they just happen to be trading at Hackney Downs Vegan Market this Saturday (August 19, 2017).

Get a little sneak preview of what they do and make sure to follow them on Instagram so you can keep updated on their latest market dates (such as their Tottenham Green Market appearances each Sunday!).

New vegan ice cream

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Here is a super quick post to share some ice cream news.

This brand is new to me and I’d love to hear if I’ve just not paid attention. Has this been around for a while?

Getting involved with this tub of #vegan ice cream by @lilyohanna.uk

A post shared by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on


I found this tub in my local As Nature Intended supermarket and I’m yet to see the range anywhere else.

Flavours by the brand include Fudge Brownie Heaven, Fudge Truffle Heaven, Divine Salted Mocha Caramel, Divine Salted Mocha Caramel, Crème Caramel Coconut Bliss, Happy Strawberries & Dream, Lemon Cheesecake Joy, Chocolate Love Energy, and Cinnamon & Cardamon Spice Delight.

They are all promoted as raw and vegan.

You can follow Lily & Hanna’s on Instagram. Let me know what you think if you find them!

New vegan food in London

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Do you know about HUTCH?

HUTCH is a brand new vegan food business in London and let me tell you something straight up. Their food looks amazing.

Christopher wrote to me to let me know that he quit his corporate job and set up HUTCH because although he had been vegan for almost four years, he felt that this wasn’t a big enough contribution towards the change he wants to see in the world. He says that he remembers reading my call to action shortly after the launch of the Hackney Market (which could also be remembered as my hysterical outburst).

The philosophy driving HUTCH is that vegan food can be amazing and that it’s the future. I love it!

The HUTCH menu is based around crave-able snacks that they personally love, and they’re experimenting around core items of popcorn seitan chick’n, okra fries and spicy veggie cutlets.

You can follow HUTCH on Instagram and Facebook.

You can catch HUTCH trading at the Boiler House Market (152 Bricklane, E1 6RU) on Saturdays in August 2017.

The best thing ever

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Here it is, London.

The best thing ever.

Let me explain.

This delicacy is called a BAE-CONE and is made by Temple of Seitan.

It is a cone made of bacon filled with fries, cheese sauce, popcorn chicken and miscellaneous toppings.

You can buy this at the next Hackney Downs Vegan Market on Saturday August 19, 2017. These will absolutely FLY off the grill so be early if you want to experience the best vegan food item I have ever set my fat eyes upon.

See the full list of traders here and RSVP to the Facebook event. This market is FREE ENTRY.

Vegan chef job in London

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The glorious Café Van Gogh in South London has been blowing people away with their gorgeous cuisine and winning even more fans since their recent decision to become a 100% vegan eatery.

Now it is your chance to become part of the team. A very important part.

Check out this job advert:

  • Cafe Van Gogh is seeking an additional chef, to join our merry band of gastronomic alchemists
  • You will be talented in preparing a wide range of vegan dishes for a large audience of guests with high expectations
  • You will have experience of team work in a busy commercial kitchen
  • You will be able to work weekends and evenings
  • You will be prepared to support our social mission, some of your colleagues on shift might have learning difficulties/mental health conditions, and you will move mountains to make sure they are fully supported
  • You are abreast of latest vegan food trends, and through your innovation and experimentation you create mind blowing recipes that customers flock towards

Interested?

  • Drop an email to info@cafevangogh.co.uk

You can also follow Café Van Gogh on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.