Made in Hackney

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Every single day seems to bring another plea for donations. Crowdfunding has become the go-to way to pay the bills for everything from home baking enterprises to fully-realised restaurants.

The seemingly never ending requests for money can get a bit tiring. You only have so much to go round. How can you be sure that what you are backing is a worthwhile endeavour?

Getting a recommendation from someone is one way to cut through the sea of monetary requests and I am about to give you a recommendation that I truly hope you take onboard.

Made in Hackney is everything the world should be. This community-driven initiative organises pay by donation classes focussed on food growing, cooking and composting. These classes are delivered to residents of housing estates, local children, adults at risk and charities supporting people with mental health conditions.

All of their programs are plant based. Yes, 100% vegan. How awesome is that? Made in Hackney shows class attendees how to preserve foods, forage for ingredients and even make their own cosmetics.

The label says it all
The label says it all

The centre holds masterclasses to financially support the pay by donation classes and has been partially funded by Lottery funding that is now coming to an end. That is where concerned people like you and me come in with our money.

Made in Hackney needs money. The organisation is attempting to raise £12 500 in order to keep performing their vital community work. The campaign so far has seen just over half this amount amassed with just 21 days remaining.

Here is what I think you should do:

  • Donate money. Whatever you can afford.
  • Send a link to this blog or to the fundraiser page to everyone you know.
  • Write a blog post about the campaign yourself.
  • Email and write to newspapers, blogs and all mainstream media to raise awareness.
  • Book and pay for a Made in Hackney masterclass.

Even if this is the one community fundraiser you back this year, I am confident you couldn’t find a more deserving cause.

Read more about Made in Hackney here.

Donate to the Crowdfunder campaign here.

 

Get looser

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Whenever I tell people I am going to Mexico or I say Mexico is the best or I proclaim that I wanna live in Mexico City, they more often than not say the same thing.

They say, “It isn’t very good for vegans down/over/up there”.

Well world, I have news for you. Mexico City has one vegan enterprise that places it squarely on the map as one of the best destinations on the planet for plant eaters.

Get ready to be jealous. Get ready to imitate the hell out of this. Just get ready.

Los Loosers.

Los Loosers is as simple as it is staggeringly-impressive. People make vegan food. People bag up vegan food. People deliver vegan food via fixed gear bicycle. In all of my travels in search of stomach satisfaction, I have rarely been so delighted, charmed and fulfilled by a food provider.

The menu is shared via social media between 9am and 10am every morning, Monday through Friday. Customers then message Los Loosers back expressing a desire for the food and a time is given for delivery. All the customer has to do then is be at the agreed spot at the agreed time to exchange money for food.

And it isn’t a lot of money. At time of posting, the menu item of the day will set you back just MX$65. That is about US$4.90 or GBP£3 for either a jumbo homemade sandwich or a bag of pastries. Including delivery!

Check out some of the items I ate during my recent vacation in Mexico City.

Delivery is made
Delivery is made

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On demand

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I used to think I knew what my favourite pastime was… and then I got an email from vegan sweet food producer Scoff asking if I would like to sample their creations. Now my favourite pastime is eating Scoff treats.

Based in Brixton, this new vegan sweet treats provider is changing the game for cruelty-free eating in the UK forever. Their truffles and fudge are decadent, delicious and irresistible. I haven’t often experienced melt in your mouth moments, but the Scoff vanilla fudge took me to that place instantly.

The company does sell at local markets (check the website for locations), but the real thrill is their mailing service. Why leave the comfort of your house when you can have dark chocolate and Amaretto truffles delivered straight to your door? No need to get wet and cold by exposing yourself to the elements. Scoff will post bags of creamy ginger fudge directly to you.

Almost as nice as the food is the care and attention given to making the food look lovely. The fudge bags feature the super cute Scoff logo while the smart truffle boxes are held closed by ribbons. Obviously perfect for gift giving.

Did you hear I like getting gifts? 😉

Gorgeous presentation
Gorgeous presentation
Dark chocolate & Amaretto truffles
Dark chocolate & Amaretto truffles
Gorgeous fudge
Gorgeous fudge
Coconut truffles
Coconut truffles
Scoff of Brixton
Scoff of Brixton

Scoff is the future. Order online now!

Follow Scoff on Twitter

Like Scoff on Facebook

Life after Saf

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If you have walked past the empty interior of Saf inside Whole Foods Market Kensington this week, you would not have been able to miss the following sign.

Sign of things to come
Sign of things to come

I got a little bit excited by this visual announcement, dreaming of the possibilities. Could it be a vegan bakery? Or a Mexican counter?

I asked a Whole Foods team member to explain all, but the only information I could squeeze out of them was that the space is set to be home to a pasta bar. No details were given on how vegan-friendly the options will be.

I’ll keep you updated as the details roll in. In the meantime, take a moment to remember one of the finest vegan eateries to ever grace the capital. RIP Saf.

Post Saf

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We are living in a post-Saf Restaurant & Bar world. It is a tough fact to face, but it’s the truth. London lost one of its finest vegan eateries and London Vegan Drinks lost a dependable source of pre-drinking dinner.

Attendees to London Vegan Drinks will now need to turn to Whole Foods Market and its food providers for sustenance. Here is what you can look forward to eating during the February event.

  • vegan pizza with vegan cheese
  • vegetable quesadillas without cheese or sour cream
  • veggie burger & chips without cheese (these are not cooked on shared grill or deep fryer)
  • jacket potato without cheese
  • vegan beer, vegan wine, vegan cider

As for the WOK station counter, they will have the following vegan options:

  • Tofu with peanut sauce (Sweet Chilli Sauce, Peanut Butter, Gluten Free Soy Sauce, Lemon Juice, Water and Rice Vinegar)
  • Broccoli (seasoning with Gluten Free soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Cooking Sake, Sugar, Sichuan peppercorn and Dried Red Chilli Peppers)
  • Courgette (seasoning with Gluten Free soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Cooking Sake, Sugar, Sichuan peppercorn and Dried Red Chilli Peppers)
  • Aubergine with hoisin sauce (soybeans, sugar, water, salt,  vinegar, garlic)
  • Mixed vegetables (bean sprout, carrots, sweet corns and edamame)

Not a bad eating line up at all, right?!

See you at London Vegan Drinks this Thursday.

Spread ’em

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Here is a super quick vegan product update for you.

I have just discovered Marks and Spencer sell their own brand of vegan margarine. It is terrific to see the spread (I’m so funny!) of vegan versions of everyday grocery items. More and more high street retailers and large supermarket chains are getting in on the act of making sure they have plant-based versions of high demand items.

Has anyone tried the new M&S spread? What do you think?

M&S sunflower spread
M&S sunflower spread
Suitable for vegans
Suitable for vegans

 

Más falafel

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I often get asked (by people aware of my love for the city) how easy it is to source vegan food in Mexico City. I usually answer that it is easy if you know where to look, which doesn’t help if you don’t know where to look.

That’s where this blog comes in. I like to share information about plant based foods in Mexico and (un)fortunately I have just come to the end of a short vacation, meaning I have more eating advice to disseminate.

My latest discovery is a friendly falafel outlet called El Rey del Falafel. Located in the neighbourhood known as Condesa, this fast food outlet is one of two store fronts for The King of Falafel in the Mexican capital.

I rocked up in the evening with Josh, Julio, Carlos and Lety following a theatre performance in nearby Polanco. Nobody in the group had eaten at El Rey del Falafel and the anticipation was high based on our experiences with the 100% vegan falafel shop Falafelito just a few blocks away.

Let’s just say the king of falafel is really the king. The food in El Rey del Falafel was outstanding.

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Eating en DF

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I have just woken up from an afternoon nap in my rented vacation apartment in Mexico City. In a short while I will be getting dressed and having a few sips of mezcal before heading out for some early evening drinks in the nearby gay cantinas.

But you didn’t come here to hear about my leisurely holiday. You want to see gorgeous photos of enticing vegan food, right?

When have I ever let you down? Keep scrolling to see a fraction of the food I have been busying myself with here in Mexico. This city does have vegan dining-out options but what follows is a small selection of my self-catering creations with a few store bought snacks thrown in for good measure.

Enjoy.

Vegan brunch included fried herb tofu, fried tomato, papas bravas, totopos y guacamole
Salsa verde and totopos
Esquites – corn, onion, garlic, epazote & lime juice topped with vegan sour cream & hot sauce
Wheat steaks with hot sauce
NuGo mint chocolate chip bar
Charritos!
Kale chips with nutritional yeast and chipotle
Fresh fruit salad topped with salted peanuts and pumpkin seeds
Silk chocolate almond milk
Blue corn quesadillas
Toffuti ice cream
Nut snacks
Mini macaroni with beans, olives & spinach in a tomato hot sauce
Guacamole on mini bagels
Fried rice with pineapple, corn, spinach, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, spring onions, tomato & chile
Warm oats cooked with Mexican chocolate topped with salted peanuts & pumpkin seeds
Beans with epazote & black pepper served on tostada
Giant dark chocolate with almond candy
Tofu pate on crackers

You can follow all my food adventures over on Instagram

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Italian comfort dinner

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You all know my friend Sara runs vegan supper clubs and is hired as a private chef, right? So you will also know everything is inspired by her Italian heritage and is 100% vegan, yes?

Check out her upcoming Italian Comfort Food supper club taking place on Thursday February 20, 2014. The menu sound ridiculously amazing. The only excuse you have for not being at the dinner is that you will be with me at London Vegan Drinks instead. You must choose. Choose now!

Check out the menu for Sara’s dinner:

STARTER * Farinata * – baked chickpea pancake with red onions served with handmade vegan mayo and homemade Focaccia

MAIN COURSE * Handmade Italian Flag Tagliatelle with Porcini mushroom sauce * – red, white and green coloured tagliatelle handmade with spinach and beetroot home-squeezed juice served with homemade tomato and Porcini sauce

SECOND COURSE * Homemade Beetroot Burger * – served with vegan Stroganoff sauce 

DESSERT * Caramel Tiramisù * – vegan caramel Tiramisù

Amazing! You can book tickets online.

 

Look of love

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Are you one of those people that likes to mark Valentine’s Day with a special meal and a bottle of wine? That task becomes all the more difficult when you throw being vegan into the mix, right?

You can stay home and challenge yourself to create a fancy meal or you can head into the wilds of London looking for a vegan dinner amongst a sea of carnivorous eating options.

Recently-closed Saf was set to host a gorgeous dinner on February 14th, but you clearly can’t count on that option. So let’s help each other out. Jump into the comments section below to sound off about the best London location for a romantic vegan meal this Friday.

I am half the world away in Mexico but I would like to get the ball rolling by suggesting tibits on Heddon Street in Mayfair. This vegetarian restaurant used to be home to London Vegan Drinks and is a favourite of vegans and their friends.

Sietta & tibits
Sietta & tibits

On Friday February 14th, tibits will be transforming their food boat (where all the food is held) into a vegan wonderland. They are removing all non-vegan items for the day so your romantic meal can be cruelty-free. People who like to drink will also be happy with a selection of vegan beers, wines and cocktails (make sure you ask for vegan wine options to be pointed out).

That’s my tip for Valentine’s Day 2014. Now I want to hear yours!