London vegan news, reviews & events
Each month I take questions from some of my Patreon supporters and I try to give helpful answers.
Check out the March 2016 video below and be sure to find out how you can get involved with these questions (and get early access to my cooking videos) over on my Patreon page.
Much excitement was generated a few days ago when it was reported that Quorn was set to switch its entire product range from vegetarian to vegan.
Well, it appears our excitement was severely premature.
Quorn have released the following statement in regards to our plant-based hysteria:
That’s a bit of a let down.
You can still sign the petition asking Quorn to turn their products vegan.
Post by:
Well here’s something you don’t see very often.
This Saturday and Sunday there is a pop-up sauna in South Tottenham with vegan food provided by The Magic Cauldron and the Facebook page for the event says that swimwear is optional! Housed in a converted horse trailer, the sauna is open to all interested people and towels can be hired for £3. Interested yet? If not, then let me tell you about the food.
The Magic Cauldron will be at the pop-up event providing 100% vegan food. Here’s the flyer for the event:
It all looks and sounds divine:
So if you’ve always fancied getting your kit off and getting stuck into some tasty vegan food, then this weekend could be right up your alley!
Like The Magic Cauldron on Facebook.
Try and stop the march of veganism. I dare you.
Plant-based shops are opening all over the UK and the seaside town of Bridlington in East Yorkshire is next on the list.
Planetwise is opening today (Thursday March 24, 2016) to sell compassionate goods to the 35,000 residents of Bridlington! It is a totally vegan and eco-friendly shop with fair trade and gluten free products and a yoga studio attached.
Check out the photos below showing the Planetwise team getting the shelves stocked ahead of the grand opening.
How fantastic is this?
You can stop by Planetwise to snap up drinks, snacks, pantry items, household products, yoghurt, canned food, ice cream and much more.
I love that veganism is exploding even in small towns like Bridlington.
Get over to the Planetwise Facebook page and give them a like.
The story I posted months ago about Quorn launching a few vegan products became one of the most-read posts in the history of my blog within hours of going live.
So I know you are all going to LOVE this update.
A fabulous person named Tracey Dixon has started a petition to demand that Quorn transforms all of its products into plant-based foods and she has added an update from the company that is sure to cause a lot of excitement.
Check it out below:
If the above is true, it means Quorn is in the process to switching all of their products to 100% plant-derived ingredients!
You can click here to add your name to the petition.
If for some reason you find yourself caught up in the drama of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race this weekend (Sunday 27 March, 2016), you must ensure you take the time to stop in at the Old Ship W6 pub.
I’ve written about how vegan-friendly this pub is previously and the boat race weekend is going to be no exception.
Check out this GORGEOUS baked potato menu that will be available on the day.
Can you see the deliciousness on that menu? Have you been astounded by that unicorn potato riding a rainbow? Did you notice that the menu is 100% vegan? This is all too much!
I would definitely opt for a baked sweet potato with olive oil, smoked tofu, beetroot and spicy sweetcorn salad. How lovely would that be?
How would you combine the ingredients listed above to create your dream potato?
Follow the Old Ship W6 on Twitter.
Oh no!
Vegan friendly pub kitchen Phil T’s in Camden in closing in a few days. You have just one week to get there and sample some of their outrageously-tasty savoury goodness.
This is the announcement made by the kitchen on their Instagram page:
It is with great regret that we have to announce that Phil T’s at the Black Heart will be closing with our last day being Saturday the 26th of March. Phil has a big new project that will be taking up most of his time and though we wanted to keep the kitchen going we have been unable to find the right person to run it for us. So even though it was a hard decision we have decided that instead of letting the quality of the food and service suffer it’s time to bow out. Thanks to all of you who have come in and supported us and enjoyed our food. Hopefully it’s not the last you’ve heard of Phil T’s but in the meantime we’ll let you know about Phil’s new project once it’s up and running.
Now there’s only one thing left to do and that’s for Phil to get back into the kitchen for the last week and dish out all your favourites and a few daily specials! So if you want to have one last taste of Gourmet Trash Food at its best then you’ve got eight days to eat your fill. Hope we’ll see you there! (Opening Times: 2pm-10pm today, 12pm-10pm Sunday 20th, 3pm-10pm Mon 21st-Thurs 24th, 12pm-10pm Fri 25th-Sat 26th)
Get on it, people.
Crab cakes, buffalo cauliflower wings and more: done vegan and done well until this Saturday and then it’s GONE.
Follow Phil T’s over on Instagram in case they pop again in the future.
This is some of the most exciting news I’ve heard in a long while.
It looks like Upton’s Naturals are heading to the UK!
If you have tried the seitan made by Upton’s you’ll understand why I am so excited. This stuff would be in my fridge 24/7 if I lived in a city where it was widely available.
Upton’s are going to be attending the Natural and Organic Products Europe trade show in London in April on April 17th and 18th, 2016.
Even better news?
The makers of some of the most delicious vegan food on the planet are looking to hire vegans to work their booth preparing samples! If you adore vegan food and want to be a part of Upton’s march into the UK, please email nicole@uptonsnaturals.com to express your interest.
Get involved with this pioneering vegan brand! Follow Upton’s on Twitter.
I can’t keep up with all the new vegan ice cream products being launched by UK supermarkets.
Check out the range now available in Tesco stores around the country.
Those fruit splits remind me of my childhood in Australia. I remember being on the beach, trying to eat this exact type of treat before it melted in the extreme heat.
Have you tried any of the dairy free frozen range at Tesco? Are the splits as good as they look?
Remember when I wrote about GIVE Kitchen and their vegan food delivery service?
Well it seems things are going well for the food enterprise as they are set to open the doors to their very first vegan eatery in Liverpool.
Check out what the official press release says below (and drool over the photos):
The UK’s first, award winning, one for one giving, plant based, whole food, online delivery service are expanding by opening their first Inspiration Centre, Eatery and Organic Shop in Liverpool, next month.
The doors to GIVE Kitchen’s first One for One giving, Inspiration Centre, Eatery and Organic Shop, will officially be open to public at 10am on Monday 4th April, 2016.
For every meal sold in the new eatery, one will be given back to a homeless person in the UK or a starving child abroad through their registered charity (No.1164433) the GIVE2040 Foundation, which aims to eradicate hunger, poverty and disease by 2040, through donating plant based nutrition to those in need.
GIVE Kitchen’s Inspiration Centre aims to spread the word and educate on the health, wellbeing and environmental benefits that come from leading a plant based lifestyle. The stylish eatery has been designed as a welcoming and comfortable space for guests to relax and enjoy a wide selection of delicious, plant based, whole food breakfasts, large and small plates and desserts, inspired by flavours and spices from around the world.
The original and creative menu has been developed by their spiritual and soulful Head Chef and will be hand-made in their state-of-the-art kitchen and prepared with ‘love and vitality’.
Co-Founders Paul Hampson and Dario Curcillo’s own-branded, organic, fair trade certified coffee, along with a selection of quality, vegan beverages will also be on offer. The on-site shop, which benefits from ample, free car parking will stock a wide range of fresh and frozen, healthy, vegan and organic groceries.
Co Founder Paul Hampson said. “GIVE just want a greener, cleaner and more caring planet and to give back to those who really need it. We hope that our guests will leave not only feeling satisfyingly full but also great knowing that they’ve really helped someone out who is less fortunate.”
Co Founder Dario Curcillo added, “We’re extremely excited to be opening GIVE Kitchen’s first of many Inspiration Centre’s, Eateries and Organic Shops, particularly in Liverpool where we’ve received an overwhelming and positive response from people, since announcing our expansion. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming in our guests and treating them to GIVE Kitchen’s unique and delicious, plant based, whole food experience.”
GIVE Kitchen is based at Unit 5, Glacier Buildings, Harrington Road, Brunswick Dock, L3 4BH.
Opening hours are Monday to Sunday 10am to 10pm.
You can follow GIVE Kitchen on Twitter and visit them online.