London vegan news, reviews & events
A quick little post to continue my thematic entries about food I eat while up in the air.
The meal featured below was served to me during my recent flight with British Airways between London and Mexico City. Vegans are only too aware of how erratic flight food can be, but I give serious dues to this meal. It was a solid effort.
As you can see, I did alright!
I would love to feature your meals in the sky if you are keen to share your experiences. Just let me know.
First it was Mella Cafe, then it was Saf Restaurant and Bar. Now a vegan friendly restaurant and coffee house in north London has also disappeared.
If you ever got the opportunity to dine at Muya Ethiopian Restaurant, you undoubtedly loved their cuisine. It was irresistible. It wasn’t a vegetarian restaurant but they had a separate vegan menu that was unrivalled in the capital.
But they have closed and London vegans are the poorer for the loss.
The vegan menu featured delicious traditional Ethiopian stews packed with vegetables and spices, served with a seemingly never-ending supply of injera. A vegetarian platter was always more than enough to fill us up and truth be told, we often struggled to finish.
I phoned the number listed on the Muya website and a recorded message instructs callers to keep checking the website and Facebook page for updates on where the company will show up again. I hope they resurface soon.
Did you ever eat at Muya? Share your memories below.
London Vegan Potluck is legendary.
When I started this food event back in May 2011, I never thought it would become the runaway success it has. On the first Wednesday of every month, up to 100 vegans and vegan curious people converge on our Holborn location to share homemade food.
It has been a true thrill to watch the potluck grow from its humble beginnings of just 20 people inside Brixton market to the huge crowds it now attracts. We have enjoyed a record attendance of 110 people while most potluck nights come in around the 80 mark.
London Vegan Potluck gives attendees a chance to show off their culinary skills and learn from others. A strength of the event is the friendly competition that has sprung up, encouraging people to come up with inventive, tasty and unique meal ideas. It encourages and inspires potluckers.
The potluck is also a safe and friendly space for new or potential vegans to investigate plant-based eating. Long term vegans and newbies interact, share recipes and give each other tips on how to make the best vegan food they can.
The following photos were taken at the February 2014 London Vegan Potluck. These dishes were just a sliver of the amazing range of food being shared.
As you might know, I am currently in Mexico City where I am eating up a storm.
Stay tuned here or to my Instagram feed for lots of shots of delicious vegan food from the Mexican capital.
Photo above shows a bag of giant dark chocolate and almond treats I bought in the nearby grocery store. They are fabulous.
I was talking with my friends at the Cool Chile Co a few days ago about the different brands of seitan available in the UK. Following our chat, I went on a quick exploration of my usual shopping haunts to see if any new wheat meat products had passed me by recently.
And one had. Wheat chunks in a tin!
I am not sure how long this canned seitan product has been available in the UK, but my discovery in Vx last week marked the first occasion I had laid eyes on it.
Sadly, I am yet to taste the Nuvale Vegetarian Cubes as I flew out of London for Mexico City before I could attack the product with a can opener. Have you tried the chunks? What are they like? What is your favourite ready made seitan?
I am late. Six days late, actually.
I offer my heartfelt apologies for keeping you waiting for my January news round up. I do have a good excuse. I have been eating a lot.
I know that Marks and Spencer have for a long time shared a list of products that are suitable for vegans (usually available in a pdf format), but I’ve never noticed them using the ‘v’ word on any actual grocery packaging.
Until now.
Josh sent me the following photo taken to his recent stroll through the M&S Ealing Broadway location. The word vegan can clearly be seen on this houmous packaging.
I am not sure if this is the start of a new trend by the retailer or a one off. The only products I have previously seen marked vegan in store were bottles of wine.
Do you buy anything from Marks & Spencer that carries a vegan label?
Cookies & Scream in Camden isn’t just one of the best bakeries in the UK. I’d put my money on it being one of the finest on the planet.
This point of view was only strengthened today by my discovery of their new tiramisu creation. I was gobsmacked. The pie filling was decadent, gooey and delicious, while the cream topping was second to none.
Buy this pie.
You can follow me on Instagram for more photos on the go.
This is some enjoyable news, indeed. Congratulations to Leeds on welcoming the first ever Great Yorkshire Vegan Festival.
After quickly browsing the event website, it looks like it is going to be a solid show. The organisers have promised 100+ stalls, cooking demos, food samples, informative talks and more. It is all happening on May 10, 2014 right in the heart of Leeds city centre.
There is a general call out for presenters, stall holders, businesses and volunteers so do get involved if you would like to make The Great Yorkshire Vegan Festival and event to remember.
Anyone planning on attending?
Check out the website for full details
Follow the festival on Twitter for updates
Like the festival on Facebook
**MAJOR UPDATE**
I wanted to tell you that all attendees at London Vegan Breakfast Club will receive a 10% off voucher to be used on the day in nearby vegan boutique Vx. Follow Vx on Twitter.
Also, attendees will be served Mirabilia Organic Olive Leaf Tea and will get a free sample pack to take home. Follow Mirabilia on Twitter.
Your meal (if you attend) will include sausages by Fry’s Vegetarian, tofu by Soyfoods and organic baked beans by Mr Organic.
**MAJOR UPDATE END**
I like to create situations where people can eat a lot of tasty vegan food. It’s my thing.
So get ready for the next BIG vegan food event, London.
At 10am on Saturday 22nd February, 2014, I will be joined in central London by 40 hungry breakfast fanatics for a mouthwatering vegan fry up like no other.
I have teamed up with my friends Shambhu’s Vegan Catering to craft a community event set in an open plan kitchen and canteen just minutes on foot from bustling King’s Cross Station. This is more than just a breakfast. It is a chance to socialise with London vegans while enjoying a decadent meal crafted by one of the leading vegan catering companies in the UK.
So what’s on the menu?
Your breakfast plate will feature:
– Succulent vegan sausages
– Scrambled tofu (Shambhu’s style) made with organic tofu
– Organic baked beans (delicately enhanced with secret spices)
– Irresistible garlic mushrooms
– Decadent fried wholemeal bread
– Crunchy hash browns
– Wilted spinach & cherry tomato warmed slightly
In addition to this scrumptious serving, you will be able to drink fairtrade or organic tea (breakfast, rooibos or green) and coffee to your heart’s content. Not a hot drink fan? Orange juice will be available by the jug, too.
This is going to be an extremely popular event so please don’t hesitate with booking. There are no hidden fees. Tickets just £15 and that includes your food and any drinks you want.
Join the Fat Gay Vegan email subscriber list to be the first to know of upcoming events.
Contact me for child tickets