Sunday shoe shopping

Until last week, I had never stepped foot inside the Vegetarian Shoes store located in Brighton. The only time I would venture to Brighton was a Sunday. I don’t know why, but my daytime trips have always been on Sundays and the store was always closed on that day of the week.

Not anymore.

shop front

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Never was vegan

You know when you think something is vegan because the company has told you it is vegan, so you have been drinking it for years and then you find out it probably never was vegan to begin with because it contains gelatine?

Yeah, that.

Vegans are angry. It has transpired via social media that Rekorderlig cider uses gelatine during the production process but told people it was vegan. These claims of the drink being vegan-friendly were made to consumers via Twitter and email over a period of time stretching back a few years.

don't drink

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Cake on the rise

Imagine my reaction when an invitation came through to visit a vegan cupcake factory. I was like a larger version of that dancing baby that was a viral sensation a few years back, except a bit camper.

One of the most-loved cake companies in London, Trina’s Delicacies, asked me to drop in on their production premises south of the river to see how they go about creating some of the loveliest vegan cupcakes on the planet.

When you love vegan cake as much as I do, it can be a little overwhelming to find yourself in the centre of a commercial kitchen dedicated to baking huge quantities of the stuff. Trina (along with her friendly assistant Andy) made sure I stayed focussed by talking me through how each cupcake is lovingly handcrafted, where they can be purchased and what the plans are for the future.

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What is your glitch?

The FREE WINONA film season has reached the halfway point and I am now pulling out the big guns. Get ready for Reality Bites on Tuesday June 17, 2014.

If you wanna know what teenagers and 20 somethings were losing their minds over in the 90s, come along to this free film screening. Of course it features the main reason for this season of movies, but it also stars the awesome Janeane Garofalo and the brooding Ethan Hawke. In addition, the film was directed (and stars) Ben Stiller!

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Learn to boss

We all know about the fabulous Made in Hackney, right? This community-concerned kitchen is an invaluable source of information about plant based eating for local residents via a whole host of workshops and classes.

The centre offers discounted courses to people experiencing financial hardship. These courses are in part made possible by some of the full-priced classes hosted by Made in Hackney. This is a great way of making sure everyone has access to information about vegan food, no matter what their economic status.

One of these full price classes is a weekend long, hands on experience for people looking to start their own small food company. It sounds thorough and extremely valuable.

The Making to Sell Intensive Weekender will cover:

  • Becoming an ethical small scale producer
  • Product presentation
  • Branding
  • Securing retailers
  • Sourcing local/ethical ingredients
  • The legal bits

This sounds like a perfect course for someone looking to start or expand a vegan home food business or market stall.

Taking place on June 14 and 15, the cost for the weekend is £65 (£52 Concession) including a free organic lunch.

All the information about the course and how to book can be found by clicking here.

Go get schooled and start some vegan businesses, London. We need you!

How to: FGV popcorn

A few days a go I posted some photos on my Instagram account of the best popcorn I have ever made. It garnered such a positive response online (and then again when I served it at London Vegan Potluck) that I have been compelled to share my secrets with you.

Wanna eat popcorn like a fat, gay vegan? Read on.

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Say goodbye to the Tart

I’m not sure how much more I can take of my favourite vegan food suppliers disappearing or retreating from public life. If I start losing weight, you will know who to blame. Come on vegan food makers, this FGV needs you.

First Saf closed up for good, then The Mighty Fork stopped trading and now I find out one of the best vegan bakers in the city is set to stop trading in Brixton.

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Love Like Hate

London Vegan Beer Fest is rapidly approaching and plans are well underway. Super cool breweries are locked in, the 100% vegan BBQ menu is being devised and early bird tickets are flying out the door.

It is all terribly exciting, I’m sure you will agree. But hold onto your sun hats because that’s not all.

London Vegan Beer Fest is giving you music.

I am thrilled to have just confirmed Australian band Love Like Hate as performers at this year’s event.

Love Like Hate B&W

Brisbane-based (FGV’s hometown!) band Love Like Hate are a duo combining post punk electric guitars with free form piano melodies to create a sound described as dark pop. Currently touring Europe on the release of their single Electric Ships from the upcoming second EP, Heather and Sonja have made special arrangements to be part of the biggest vegan party of the year.

Check out the music video for their fab song Electric Ships below then buy your super cheap London Vegan Beer Fest early bird tickets now.

Beer, food, summer and music. We all win.

Follow Love Like Hate on Twitter

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Visit Love Like Hate online

Donuts, dumplings and hot damn

Enough with the torturous posts about divine food half a world away from where the majority of my readers reside. I will stop teasing.

Well, I will stop after this post. I promise.

I have given you some decidedly convincing reasons why you should visit San Diego. The Southern California city is a gorgeous location bursting with attractions that will keep compassionate people on the delirious side of happy. See the vegan drive thru and the vegan market stall as examples.

And there is more.

Moncai Vegan is exactly what I see when I close my eyes at night. It is like the dream I have where the food is irresistible, the service is lovely and there are vegan donuts in a large glass case.

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