Vegan snack bars for the UK

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Eat Natural are those snack bars that vegans always get harassed by in supermarkets.

You know when you are looking for something quick and easy to grab when you are at the checkout or running out the door quickly? Eat Natural bars are ALWAYS there, in every store.

If you are anything like me, your brain gets excited for a millisecond before you remember that they contain honey.

It’s not the worst thing to happen to humanity, but it is a little bit annoying.

Eat Natural must have gotten tired of vegans like me complaining (nagging works!) because they have now released three products suitable for vegans and one of them is even called Simply Vegan.

The new products include:

  • Simply Vegan – a gorgeously coconut-ty bar with a lovely swoosh of proper dark chocolate underneath, packed with nuts and dried fruit
  • Maple syrup, pecan and peanut bar – part of their ‘bars with benefits’ range. It carries extra protein thanks to all the nuts and seeds
  • Low Sugar Granola – a stunning granola made with coconut blossom nectar

I would recommend a store in which to look for these however I do believe they are sold almost everywhere in the UK.

Vegan Christmas pizza in London

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Vegan pizza is everywhere.

I’m in no way saying that is a bad thing, I’m just commenting on how it seems to be popping up everywhere in London.

One of the most-loved vegan pizza joints in the UK capital is Good Belly which is located inside The Railway Tavern just a few steps from Dalston Kingsland Overground station.

The pizzas at Good Belly get rave reviews from those in the know, so I can only imagine how delicious these two Christmas-themed specials will taste.

The first seasonal special I want to tell you about is their Christmas Day Pizza. It is constructed from a cranberry & merlot tomato base, mushrooms, red onion, stuffing crumbs, bacon bits, parsnip puree, and shredded sprouts.

That is one dreamy Christmas pizza!

Another special they have is their flaky (and delicious) Santa’s Sausage Roll. Good Belly assure me it is one of the best sausage rolls on the planet.

Check it out.

Both of these specials from Good Belly will be on their menu until December 22, 2019 so hop along rapidly if you want some seasonal treats.

You can see the full regular menu from Good Belly online here, follow the restaurant on Instagram, and check out the exact location of The Railway Tavern thanks to Google Maps.

Vegan cream tea in West London

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I know a lot of people love an old-fashioned cream tea but finding a vegan version in London can be tough.

There is good news out of West London, however.

The Stables café located at Osterley House is now serving vegan cream tea!

Maybe you are scratching your head at the mention of cream tea.

What is it?

Cream tea is a variation of afternoon tea and is traditionally served with scones, clotted cream, and jam. The idea of cream tea is usually attributed to the tea rooms of Devon and Cornwall.

The Stables Café is located inside Osterley Park & House in Isleworth, West London. The café is open between 10am and 5pm, 7-days a week.

You can see the exact location of the café thanks to Google Maps.

Fat Gay Vegan won an award

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This is a super quick blog post to let you in on some good news.

Viva! Campaigns is of course a tremendously successful and loved animal protection and lobbying group that has been busy promoting veganism for many years.

How many years? The group just celebrated its 25th anniversary!

As part of their quarter of a century celebrations, Viva! has handed out a bunch of awards for people, groups, and businesses that they believe have done a great job in improving outcomes for animals.

And I was awarded one!

After almost a decade of running this blog and all the associated social media accounts, it is a real thrill to be appreciated in this way by a group that I respect so deeply.

Massive love and thanks goes to the entire Viva! team for everything they do to make the world a better place.

And thank you from the bottom of my chubby gay heart for this recognition. It is a wonderful feeling.

You can see all of the Viva! award winners online here.

Vegan Yorkshire puddings in London

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Great news!

Legendary vegan bakery Ms. Cupcake of Brixton are now stocking Mabel’s amazing vegan Yorkshire Puddings. They are the ONLY place in the country to get these for Christmas.

The Yorkshires come pre-made in a batch of four, which you can keep frozen until you need to bake them off.

In Mabel’s own words, these Yorkie’s “give you that authentic flavour, with a crispy top, a soft bottom, shaped perfectly for you to pour gravy into.”

As an added bonus they are palm oil free and use compostable bio-plastic packaging.

Get down to Ms. Cupcake quickly to pick up a pack or two for your festive meal. It’s the perfect excuse to get some cake in, too!

Follow Ms. Cupcake on Instagram and see their exact shop location thanks to Google Maps.

Delicious vegan food in Shrewsbury

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Shrewsbury. Are you ready to eat ALL the vegan food?

Okra is a vegan café located on the High Street and the food looks beyond tempting.

The café was previously known as güd and traded in Altrincham Market, however they have enjoyed such wonderful success they have now expanded and relocated to Shrewsbury with the new name.

Okra is all about fresh, flavourful 100% vegan food. It’s kinda like gourmet street food.

They make almost everything in-house from scratch, including all their sauces and vegan burger patties. All their flat breads are made by hand to order, every time!

The menu is small and changes often, but there are always classics like the Mexican black bean burger and tarka dal.

Okra also throw in weekly specials, too. The ‘chippy T’ being a recent favourite featuring crispy tofu fillet, salt and vinegar hash brown, and katsu ‘chippy’ curry sauce on a toasted bun!

Okra is open for breakfast and lunch and should be doing evenings soon.

Follow Okra on Instagram and see their exact location thanks to Google Maps.

Vegan pizza restaurant to open on Brick Lane

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London. Do you need more vegan pizza in your life?

Superstar vegan pizza makers, Picky Wops, have just announced they are opening a restaurant on Brick Lane in East London. Huge news!

Picky Wops have been wowing people around London with their gourmet take on pizzas for a few years now.

A recent kitchen takeover at a pub in Brixton has been a runaway success, as have all their appearances at outdoor markets and events around the capital. People can’t get enough of their unique flour mixes, gourmet toppings, and good vibes.

If you aren’t familiar with what Picky Wops do, read on.

Picky Wops pizza bases are all fully customisable and each dough has a different colour, texture and flavour. Available bases include burnt wheat and turmeric. Pizzas can be served cheeseless or with vegan cheese, and a mouthwatering variety of toppings are available.

If pizza isn’t your thing (really?!), classic Italian sides such as garlic bread, dough balls, and a variety of vegan pasta dishes are also featured on the menu. A firm favourite is their carbonara which comes complete with meat free bacon bits. Carb loving Londoners will also appreciate the innovative loaded fries, topped with Italian inspired sauces such as pesto and bolognese.

Ingredients used by Picky Wops are high quality and plant-based, while all dishes are made from scratch. Founders Cristiano Vitelli and Andrea Moro are both trained in the art of pizza making in their home country of Italy, meaning their food remains authentic.

Enough chit chat. Where is the new Picky Wops location?

You will be able to find the restaurant at 53 Brick Lane from their opening date of Friday December 13, 2019. You can see the exact location thanks to Google Maps.

For December only, visitors can sample a festive white pizza aptly called The White Christmas. This special is topped with spiced sweet potato mash, roasted brussel sprouts and walnuts, seasoned soya, sweet cranberry jam, vegan mozzarella and a light sprinkling of parmesan.

Be sure to follow Picky Wops on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Photos in this post were taken by the talented Martina De Santis.

New fresh vegan milk trader for London

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London. It is time to get milky.

Nut Milks is a new company bringing fresh dairy alternative milks to your doorstep.

The company is committed to supplying a low carbon footprint alternative to cow milk, therefore they only deliver within the London area. I absolutely LOVE this approach to their business.

The vegan milks are made in London and sold in London!

The milks are made freshly and locally. They contain no additives therefore last only five days. These products are old school!

Nut Milks flavours include:

  • Pistachio Milk
  • Chocolate Hazelnut
  • Hazelnut Milk
  • Almond Milk
  • Cashew Milk

Nut Milks currently have a stall at Borough Market but they are mostly an online business.

You can visit their webshop to browse all milk products and place an order for London-only delivery.

You can also follow Nut Milks on Instagram.

New vegan butter made with macadamia nuts

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Vegans in the USA just got a fab festive gift.

There is a brand new vegan butter alternative made from macadamia nuts and it has just launched in Whole Foods Market stores across the country.

The new plant-based, 100% palm-oil-free creamy buttery spread is from dairy alternative company milkadamia.

This revolutionary non-dairy buttery spread replicates butter’s delicious creamy taste and texture while also allowing consumers to enjoy the taste of butter without the damaging effects on animals, the planet, the soil, and rainforest lands in areas like Indonesia where a lot of palm oil is farmed unsustainably.

As I stated above, the product is only currently available in Whole Foods Market stores but will be spreading to Sprouts and other USA retailers early in 2020.

There is no word yet on distribution outside the USA but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

You can visit the milkadamia website here.

French vegan patisserie masterclass in London

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London, here is your opportunity to take part in a super fancy and super exclusive masterclass led by one of the leading vegan patisserie chefs on the planet.

I’ll show you how to make exquisite plant-based versions of festive French patisserie classics that will wow your guests during the festive season. – Clarisse Flon (specialist vegan patisserie chef, food consultant and photographer)

Grab a ticket and get along to the Made in Hackney kitchen on Saturday December 12, 2019 between 10am and 5:30pm for this rare learning (and eating!) opportunity.

This Masterclass is part of the Made in Hackney ‘VIP Series’, working with experts who are renowned in their field.

The class will include:

  • How to make a show-stopping Pear and Chocolate Genoise Yule log
  • Make an exquisite chocolate cream patissiere and chocolate buttercream
  • Learn to make gorgeous iced sablé Christmas biscuits
  • Rolling and setting techniques
  • Piping skills
  • How to make stunning chocolate décor and caramel shard decorations
  • Learn how to enhance flavours, and how to pair textures and tastes
  • A delicious organic plant based lunch, and take home recipe pack
  • 15% discount in neighbouring wholefoods shop, Food for All

Clarisse Flon is a specialist vegan patisserie chef trained in classic French patisserie. Clarisse has worked in many fine dining establishments around the world while developing plant based versions of her traditional recipes.

She launched The Sunny Spoon in 2013 (a French vegan patisserie bakery featured many times at Hackney Downs Vegan Market) and helped launch Cafe Forty One, a vegan restaurant in La Suite West hotel in Notting Hill. Clarisse now works as a food consultant and photographer, developing vegan options and recipes for businesses.

Fee: £160 (£118 Concession) includes delicious tastings and a recipe pack.

This fee is used to fund the Made in Hackney programme of free courses to vulnerable and low-income community groups. By attending a Made In Hackney masterclass you get a great day of learning AND you’re providing the charity with essential funds for them to continue their work with vulnerable community groups.

Click here to read more and book a ticket.