Decadent vegan food in Leeds

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Leeds has been a bit of a slow burner when it comes to food.

There is maybe just one 100% vegan eatery and it seems to be really developing a lot more slowly than the rest of the UK.

However there is one area where the northern city is picking up a bit of steam and that is in the field of non-vegan places adopting stand alone vegan menus and options.

Take Mog’s for example.

Drool over some of the amazing and decadent sandwiches being served up by this not-completely-vegan cafe on Kirkstall Lane.


Wow, right?!

I am absolutely beside myself over some of those photos.

Take a quick look at Mog’s Instagram or Facebook pages to see plant-based customers raving about this food. I also see a lot of people talking about the huge vegan breakfast.

Get involved and get to Mog’s.

Vegan yoga retreat Barcelona

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Barcelona is one of the most stunning cities on the planet and with the amount of plant-based eateries dotted around its streets, it is also a top tourist destination for vegans.

If you have been considering when you are going to visit Barcelona in the future, you might want to investigate this option if you are also interested in yoga.

Catiayoga is running a yoga retreat in the heart of Barcelona from June 11 until June 16, 2017.

The yoga classes take place on the roof of a beautiful yoga centre located just two minutes from Las Ramblas. There is so much to see and do in Barcelona and you will be right at the centre of it all.

The cost per person for the retreat is £590 and the package includes:

  • 2 yoga classes per day, Vinyasa Flow in the morning (8-9:30am), Yin/Yoga Nidra in the evening (8:15-9:15pm), classes will be in English, but Spanish and Italian are available!
  • 5 nights shared accommodation in rooms of 2 or 3 people
  • Vegan brunch included daily
  • 2 vegan dinners – one on the evening of the 11th of June at 8pm and 1 on Wednesday the 14th of June
    access to cooking facilities
  • 1 x 60 minutes massage with an experienced and qualified massage therapist, you can choose your treatment! (deep tissue, stone massage, bamboo massage, cellulite massage, relaxing massage, foot reflexology or focused in particular areas of the body)
  • 1 paddle surf 1-hour class

You need to sort out your own transport including any flights needed.

Brunch every day. Accommodation. Two yoga classes a day. That all sounds like pretty solid value for a retreat in a city that isn’t exactly inexpensive.

This retreat is limited to twelve people and half of the spaces have already been booked.

Be super quick if you want to secure a place. Click here to find out more info, get in contact with the host or to book.

TV show featuring vegan bakers

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Do you love cake?

There is a TV show featuring Paul Hollywood (Great British Bake Off host) called City Bakes. Aired on Food Network UK, the show follows Hollywood around the planet in search of baked delights.

The Food Network synopsis of the show reads:

Paul Hollywood rekindles his baking roots as he travels the globe in search of the family bakeries, corner delis and luxury hotels which have created the baking heritage of entire cities. During these city breaks, Paul is inspired once again to produce delicious recipes in the very place they originated as he goes “back to the floor” in hotel kitchens, rediscovers family recipes and meets new baking heroes from around the world.

A new episode of the show airing on Monday March 27, 2017 at 9pm in the UK features the host travelling to LA to check out local bakeries.

Word has it the episode features some vegan baking.

How do I know this?

The lovely Ben of Ms. Cupcake vegan bakery in Brixton alerted me to a special ‘live on the Internet’ session featuring Ms. Cupcake herself, Mellissa Morgan, taking place on Monday as a show tie-in.

To help promote the Paul Hollywood LA episode airing on Monday, Mellissa Morgan will be featured in an exclusive Facebook livestream at 11am in which she will talk through creating the perfect vegan cake. From learning about egg, dairy and animal product replacements to secret baking techniques, this twenty minute demo will inspire you to bake decadent vegan cakes.

Mellissa Morgan is the undisputed UK queen of indulgent vegan baking, so take this opportunity to ask questions through the Facebook live event hosted on the Food Network UK Facebook Page before checking out City Bakes in the evening this Monday (March 27, 2017).

Vegan NYE cruise through Portugal

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If you read this blog with any regularity or follow me on social media, you’ll be aware that I often team up with Vegan River Cruises for 100% vegan cruises along some of the most beautiful waterways in Europe.

I have hosted on board New Year’s Eve parties in Rotterdam and Vienna, cruised past stunning castles, and delighted at the scenery in the south of France.

But maybe this year’s NYE cruise is the best of all.

Join me on a luxury vegan cruise out of Porto and the through the breathtaking Portugal countryside.

Commencing in the stunning river city of Porto on December 27, 2017 and returning on January 3, 2018, this cruise will take in numerous towns and unparalleled scenery as it glides along the serene Douro River.

The map above shows the route the Miguel Torga will take, allowing passengers to take in the beautiful Portuguese countryside from the comfort of this luxury hotel on water.

Like all of the cruise ships I’ve encountered with Vegan River Cruises, the Miguel Torga is top of the line with well-appointed cabins, ample viewing areas inside and on deck, an impressive dining room, a comfortable common lounge and bar, and world class chef, servers, attendants and crew.

This cruise is a full-board cruise, meaning you do not have to pay for any of your meals served on board. This includes the always impressive buffet breakfast, as well as the multi-course set menu meals presented for lunch and dinner every day.

In addition, drinks served with dinner are included in the price you pay including wine, beer, juice, tea and coffee. Of course everything is vegan and you won’t have to get your wallet out. Inclusive drinks are also available in the lounge bar from midday and into the evening.

The Miguel Torga has 63 cabins, making it a little bit smaller than our previous NYE cruises. This of course means the best rooms will be snapped up quickly and I expect the cruise to sell out completely.

This stunning, completely-vegan cruise through Portugal is a rare chance to enjoy an inclusive vacation in gorgeous surroundings with an entire ship filled with vegan and vegan-friendly people.

Every single part of this cruise is vegan, from your meals to your drinks. Even your hosts for the on board NYE party are vegan (me and my partner Josh!).

Click here to find out more info such as cabin availability and pricing.

Don’t leave it too long to book. See you on board!

New online vegan shop launched

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Great news.

A new online vegan store has launched in the UK.

Veganubi was created by a couple based in Manchester with the aim to make typically ‘hard-to-find’ vegan products more accessible. The store offers over 3,000 vegan products and delivers them nationwide across the UK. The range covers everything from groceries, chocolate & snacks, health & beauty and cleaning products to vegan supplements and protein powders. They even stock vegan marshmallows, Easter eggs, chewing gum and hair colouring products.

With a selection covering over 100 top brands and plans to add new products every week, it’s a fantastic place to both stock up on your vegan staples and treat yourself to some indulgent goodies.

SPECIAL OFFER!

New customers can take advantage of an introductory 20% discount on the whole range with discount code: LAUNCH

Support this new vegan venture and save some money! Click here to shop.

You can follow Veganubi on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Vegan cider from Kent

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I love bringing you news of vegan booze and I especially love bringing you news of vegan cider.

Why do us vegans adore cider so much?

Kent Cider products are split into three ranges and include the core range of single varietal still ciders, their Henderson’s range of naturally flavoured ciders and the forthcoming sparkling cider called Yowler.

You can hassle your local independent retail outlets, restaurants and micro-pubs to stock Kent Ciders. The majority of the cider they produce and sell is delivered by the company directly, so the best way for people who live outside of Kent to try their cider is through the webshop or contacting them directly in the office. They are extremely friendly people!

Visit Kent Cider online and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for special edition cider updates and news of events/appearances.

Yay for vegan cider!

Vegan pop up event

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If you were one of the thousands of people at Hackney Downs Vegan Market this past weekend, you would have seen the fabulous Cafe SoVegan serving up their delicious cuisine.

It’s looking fairly likely that Cafe SoVegan will be back at April’s market but if you can’t wait that long, or you missed out on the market, you are in luck.

Cafe SoVegan is hosting an exquisite pop up event at legendary The Royal Sovereign on Northwold Road between Stoke Newington and Clapton on Monday March 27, 2017.

The food line up for this Moroccan-inspired dining experience sounds stunning:

  • Starter: Harira Soup
  • Main: Mixed platter of Baba ganoush, Seitan Kabab, jewelled cous cous, tomato and roast pepper salad all served with houmous, olives and bread
  • Dessert: M’hanna, a sweet filo pastry and ground almond dish lightly flavoured with rose water

That is one dreamy menu.

When you book your ticket, you get to choose the time you dine on Monday night. Of course you are welcome to relax in the bar with a drink or two before your meal. Cafe SoVegan will let you know when it is your time to dine.

You should book your ticket now for this exclusive food event. Tickets are limited to just a handful for each sitting.

You can RSVP and invite friends on the Facebook event page.

Click here to book your ticket now. Just £15 plus small booking fee which is incredible value for a handcrafted three-course vegan meal in London. Enjoy!

Film festival with vegan menu

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Is this a UK first?

The Leeds Queer Film Festival is set to run in the Northern city between March 24 and 26, 2017 at Live Art Bistro and big news for readers of this blog is the food being sold during the three day event.

Every morsel of food sold during Leeds Queer Film Festival 2017 is set to be vegan.

Great news!

Of course the main attraction is the incredible line up of shorts and feature films, including a screening of the phenomenal Academy Award-winning Moonlight, however it is wonderful to see organisers taking a fully inclusive approach to the catering.

The film festival states the following about the vegan food menu:

It’s not just an amazing programme of films this weekend, we’ve also got loads of scrummy food available.

There’s a whole heap of snacks available ALL WEEKEND including samosas, sausage rolls, pizza rolls, cakes, popcorn, sweets and pick & mix.

On SATURDAY we’re gonna be serving up hot meals including Three Bean Chili and Smoked Tofu Stew. On SUNDAY to help you recover from our Queer Dance Party the night before there’s gonna be a brunch with Sausage Buns then later on some delish Homemade Soup.

And, it’s all VEGAN

Live Art Bistro also has a bar serving alcohol, soft drinks, tea and coffee.

It’s all CASH ONLY so bring your pennies. The nearest cash point is the Shell garage just 150 yards from the venue along Regent Street.

Make a big effort to support this incredible event if you are in Leeds and have the means to do so.

Click here to see the full list of films showing during the festival.

Follow Leeds Queer Film Festival on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

ASK Italian now has vegan menu

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A huge trend for UK restaurants is the addition of a specialised vegan menu.

Chain restaurants all over the country are rushing to present vegan diners with separate meal choices on a designated menu.

The latest UK chain to join the vegan menu club is ASK Italian. With approximately 120 locations around the UK, there is no shortage of spots to chow down on pizza, pasta and bread.

Check out the vegan ASK Italian menu below.

That’s not too shabby for a non-vegan restaurant chain. I especially love the sound of the roast Charlotte potatoes!

The menu does seem to change slightly between outlets. You can see the menu online and choose your nearest restaurant using a drop down list. This will adapt the menu and prices for your area.

Click here to see the vegan menu online.

Extra info time:

ASK Italian was bought out by a private equity group called Bridgepoint. Interestingly, this private equity group also owns or has invested in Pret a Manger and Zizzi. It just so happens that all of these chains have been extremely active in responding to vegan market trends and demands. This is surely a top-down directive for food companies owned by Bridgepoint, right? It couldn’t be a coincidence that these major restaurant chains owned by one group are all now suddenly super vegan-friendly.

If this isn’t proof of the surge of veganism, I’m not sure what is.

Vegan BBQ cooking class

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I want to give you some info about a fab cooking class happening soon in central London.

My friend Nishma is a kind, compassionate and smart person who runs a vegan business called Shambhu’s. You probably recognise that name because of the hundreds and hundreds of events Nishma has catered around the UK.

Nishma is taking a day away from the festival circuit to share some of her kitchen expertise with a small number of food fanatics.

On Saturday April 1, 2017 between 2:30pm and 5:00pm, you can join Nishma and just 11 other students for an afternoon of vegan BBQ cooking instruction (and eating!) in Islington.

Included for the ticket price of £45:

  • printed recipes for items featured in the class
  • complimentary tea & coffee
  • opportunity to taste dishes
  • opportunity to take away any left over food at end (containers provided)

In this class you’ll learn the following barbecue-friendly dishes:

  • Marinated tofu & vegetable skewers
  • Cassava bites
  • Marinated tofu in potato parcels
  • Spicy vegetable masala toasted sandwiches

This will be booked solid and with only 12 spaces available, it will fill quickly.

Click here to book your spot.