Vegan bakery and sweets to help homeless

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Poster Bakes is a vegan bakery and social enterprise run by The Connection at St Martin’s, a homelessness charity that operates within Central London.

Poster Bakes started out by selling traditional deep-filled doughnuts, made fresh every day and delivered to people around London by bicycle.

As the second wave of lockdowns came in and with Christmas fast approaching, Poster Bakes launched their mail order mince pie kits, which could be delivered to people all over the UK to spread some cheer and festive magic in the run up to Christmas.

The social enterprise went on to launch deliciously-spiced hot cross bun baking kits in the run up to Easter and now offer their brand new range of vegan pick and mix! You can select your own or choose from one of their mouth-watering mixes.

All profits made through Poster Bakes go directly towards continuing The Connection’s work, helping thousands of people each year to move away from the streets. They will also be running kitchen classes for people experiencing homelessness to help give them the tools and knowledge to cook and make nutritious food decisions when they become housed.

The website is currently open for pick and mix orders that can be shipped around the UK, and Poster Bakes have plans to launch some delicious new baking kits within the next few months. If you would like to find out any more information about the work of The Connection, click here.

You can also follow Poster Bakes on Instagram.

Vegan tapas at Beer Engine Sheffield

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A few days ago I was invited to try the vegan food options at The Beer Engine in Sheffield, South Yorkshire which has just reopened.

The food menu is tapas style and all super tasty. Yes, I ate everything I’ve listed below:

  • caramelised onion hummus with olives and pita
  • padron peppers with sea salt
  • agedashi tofu
  • tomato bruschetta
  • miso and maple cauliflower wings
  • patatas bravas with vegan aioli
  • loaded nachos
  • fried plantain with pineapple salsa

Click on the image to see all the food via my Instagram account.

They have renovated the beer garden of the pub with plants, lights, and umbrellas so rug up and get down there between Wednesday and Sunday. Come summer, this place is going to be packed solid every single day.

You can see the Beer Engine food menu online here.

You can follow The Beer Engine on Instagram.

Vegan lip stains from Lady Gaga

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Lady Gaga’s history of wearing a meat dress hasn’t endeared her to a lot of vegans, however the superstar has redeemed herself in a small way by making sure her entire makeup range is suitable for vegans.

The Haus Laboratories range is free from animal derived ingredients and nothing has been tested on animals… and that includes these just-released lip oil stains.

The PhD HYBRID LIP OIL STAIN is available in:

  • Tint – Sheer Pink
  • Neutral – Universal Clear
  • Primary – Sheer Red
  • Hue – Sheer Berry
  • Secondary – Sheer Orange

I don’t know anything about the technical side of makeup but the brand assures us these are some of the reasons why you will love the stains:

  • Self-adjusting PH pigment
  • Hydrating formula
  • Lightweight formula
  • Naturally lip-enhancing
  • Buildable
  • Fragrance-free
  • Non-drying

If you are a person who wants or needs to wear makeup, consider Haus Laboratories if you can afford it. Buy vegan whenever you can!

Click here to shop for the new lip stains online for worldwide shipping. Follow Haus Laboratories on Instagram.

Postal treats delivered around the UK

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Have you seen the gorgeous baked treats created by Cocolico?

Cocolico is an independent French Pâtisserie business in the UK. You might recall them trading at Hackney Downs Vegan Market a few times, or possibly even bumped into them at other markets around the Reading and London areas.

If you are looking for handcrafted delicacies that taste amazing, Cocolico have got what you want.

Take a look at this special ‘postal treats’ box you can order online for UK-wide delivery.

Included for £16:

  • 5 Hazelnuts kisses (melt-in-the mouth cookies filled with a praliné ganache)
  • 4 Madeleines (conic French petit-fours, ideal for dipping in your favourite drink (if you like!), they’re soft and comforting)

Click here to order right now and be sure to follow Cocolico on Instagram.

April 28 episode of FGV weekly roundup

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Do you want to hear me speak?

In case you missed the announcement last week, I now have a weekly vegan news roundup that gets published as a podcast every Wednesday.

Fat Gay Vegan Weekly Roundup powered by Patreon: episode 2 is online now. Click here to discover all your listening and streaming options.

The episode this week features news of vegan trends, my product of the week, silly stories about celebrities I’ve seen in vegan restaurants, and a cool way for you to contribute to an LGBT charity.

Enjoy listening and get in touch with suggestions for what you would like to hear featured.

FGV mini news round up December 28, 2022 – final of the year – Fat Gay Vegan

As the year ebbs away join me for a chat about the tough task of going home, Whitney Houston, and vegan food on QANTAS planes.
  1. FGV mini news round up December 28, 2022 – final of the year
  2. FGV’s Mini News Roundup December 7, 2022
  3. FGV’s mini news roundup – news, views, and reviews from the plant-based world and beyond
  4. Fat Gay Vegan mini news roundup March 17, 2022
  5. FGV mini news roundup December 23, 2021 – vegan news and reviews

As always, I would like to send a massive thank you to my Patreon supporters who help me stay dedicated to vegan outreach.

If you would like to support the FGV platforms financially, please click the box below to find out about making a monthly pledge or donating one-time only.

Buy vegan soap and help charity

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A little while ago on my blog I gave a shout out to a vegan soap producer who donates profits to charities and community organisations.

Bars of Hope sell a gorgeous range of artisan bars that will leave you feeling squeaky clean and all warm and fuzzy. Not only are you buying fab vegan soap, every purchase will contribute much needed funds to a local charity or community organisation.

The organisation of choice being supported by Bars of Hope in April 2021 is The Outside Project.

The Outside Project is an LGBTIQ+ Community Shelter, Centre and Domestic Abuse Refuge in response to those within the LGBTIQ+ community who feel endangered, who are homeless, ‘hidden’ homeless and feel that they are on the outside of services due to historical and present prejudice in society and in their homes.

Services of The Outside Project include:

  • Provision of identity responsive housing and spaces for the LGBTIQ+ Community
  • Professional and ‘knowledge by experience’ peer-led support to LGBTIQ+ people in crisis
  • Advocacy for LGBTIQ+ rights and needs within wider systems and services
  • Promoting improved ‘social health’ and sobriety within the LGBTIQ+ Community
  • Developing relationships with services to strengthen support for the LGBTIQ+ Community
  • Sharing knowledge to educate others on the unique and complex needs of LGBTIQ+ people

Sounds like a vital service, right?

If you have some spare cash, please treat yourself to gorgeous vegan soaps from Bars of Hope and direct some much-needed financial support to The Outside Project. Shop now.

Follow Bars of Hope on Instagram to stay updated on new products and to see who they will be supporting in the future.

If you think you or someone you know would benefit from being in touch with The Outside Project, visit their website. If you want to support the group financially without buying soap, donate online here.

Order vegan afternoon tea for delivery

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Did you attend Hackney Downs Vegan Market back in the day?

If you were a regular attendee, you will fondly recall the glorious cakes, bakes, and cookies from Chanel of Vegan Delice.

Chanel was always the friendliest person on the market and customers would come from all over London to chat with her AND to buy her amazing vegan baked goods.

A little while back Chanel rebranded and her empire of sugary delights is now known as Cake Cult London. The online store is overflowing with treats that you can have delivered to you around the UK (or collect if you live locally).

There are so many wonderful things from which to choose, however I’m jumping on here today to tell you about the vegan afternoon tea for two.

Chanel sent me one of the boxes to try for myself and of course it was as delicious as I remember all her stuff being. Check it out below and see the contents of the vegan afternoon tea listed as well.

Afternoon Tea for 2 Menu

  • 2 x mini cheese & onion pasty
  • 2 x mini Sos rolls
  • 4 x Scones
  • Plain & Cherry with Clotted cream and Strawberry Jam
  • Baby cake cults
  • 2 x Lemon drizzle
  • 2 x Red Velvets
  • 2 x Shortbread fingers

Order your very vegan afternoon tea for two from Cake Cult London now for delivery!

Follow Cake Cult London on Instagram.

Podcast fever

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I’m dropping by to let you know that I am BACK on the podcast airwaves… weekly!

During the first 100 days of lockdown in 2020, I posted daily news roundups via Facebook Live. Those roundups were my way of putting something positive into the world at a very trying time, while also creating a way for our vegan communities to stay connected.

Those daily videos were very DIY but also time consuming. Doesn’t mean I don’t miss them, though!

As the world is still struggling with the global pandemic and things are nowhere near close to how they were before 2020, I am inspired to reach out again and create a weekly show highlighting all the latest news from the world of veganism.

I love connecting and wanted to create a new way of supporting independent vegan business. It also helps that I love the sound of my own voice!

The first episode has just gone live and you will be able to stream across a number of platforms. It is a brief 10 minute listen, so why not give it a try?!

See all about the show and find links for streaming (including Spotify) on my podcast homepage.

This blog has been running for more than 10 years and it is made possible thanks in no small part to the kind support of the people supporting me on Patreon. If you would like to pledge a monthly contribution to help keep the FGV dream alive for a second decade, visit my Patreon page.

My TOP 5 picks from this online vegan store

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My buddies at Young Vegans have been elevating the good eating game for a while now and their expanded online shop is just another imitation feather in their pleather cap.

Say hello to Young Vegans Superstore!

The Young Vegans Superstore is packed full of all the very best handmade treats from the brand, as well as carfeully selected products from other artisan vegan makers.

Take a look at their webshop and discover vegan cheeses, pies, pizzas, coffee, sweets, condiments, beers, cider, and drinks. It is a one stop shop for everything delicious and compassionate.

If you live near the London NW5 postcode, you can opt for collection to save on shipping charges. Otherwise you can get free UK shipping on orders over £40.

I picked out five fabulous products from the Young Vegans Superstore to give you a taster of what you can find over there.

Check out my list below and be sure to follow Young Vegans on Instagram.

Essential Vegan – Aged Smoked Vegan Cheese – A hard and sharp golden cheese with a deep, smoky richness. This mature cheese is perfectly paired with grapes, crackers and chutney. This artisan nut cheese is handmade using only the best organic ingredients to give you a complex and sophisticated combination of flavours. The cheese is crafted utilising a cultured cashew nut base, meaning the range is raw, dairy and gluten free.

Minor Figures Latte – Nitro Cold Brew Coffee – At their microbrewery in London, the Minor Figures crew source, roast, grind and brew the best in-season coffee for over 18 hours before blending with oat m*lk. The result? A delicious, dairy-free iced latte.

Young Vegans – Chickun Katsu Vegan Pie – The only chickun katsu vegan pie in existence and a personal favourite of Young Vegans. Succulent vegan chickun cutlets in a traditional style Japanese curry sauce all encased in their lip smacking short crust bases and buttery puff pastry lids. All ingredients are 100% vegan and handmade at their kitchen in Camden Town, London.

Young Vegans – The Godfather Vegan Pizza – The big daddy of them all and their take on pepperoni pizzas the world over. The bestselling Godfather is a vegan feast of their signature seitan based vegan pepperoni, handmade vegan mozzarella and marinara sauce all on their 24 hour fermented, hand stretched dough for that “pizzeria at home” vibe. 100% vegan pizza hand made with love at their kitchen in Camden Town, London.

Young Vegans – Vegan Apple Pie – Cooked British apples mixed with spices and filled generously in their lip smacking buttery pastry. Careful, these apple pies are moreish as hell! Perfect hot with ice cream or custard oozing over it. All their apple pies are 100% vegan and handmade at their kitchen in Camden Town, London.

Summer Vegan Pledge is rolling back into town

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Have you got a few non-vegans in your life in need of some compassionate encouragement?

Tell them that the Animal Aid Summer Vegan Pledge is BACK!

The Summer Vegan Pledge is a month-long pledge hosted by Animal Aid that encourages non-vegans to try a vegan/plant-based diet for the month of June. Those who sign up to the pledge receive all of the help, advice, and support they need including access to exclusive social media groups and one-to-one support if they need it.

In previous years thousands of people have taken part with a majority of them stating they will remain vegan afterwards in a follow up survey (in 2018 53% of participants said they would remain vegan while in 2019 57% said they would). 

If you or someone you know would be keen to take on the Summer Vegan Pledge this June, get all the information on the official website.