Vegans are obsessed with IKEA

by

Trends in the vegan world are tough to keep up with as there seems to be a never-ending stream of breaking news and product launches in 2019.

I’ve made it my business to know what is happening when it comes to plant-based developments over the past decade but I sometimes feel like I have vegan fatigue from the ridiculous number of news stories breaking every week.

Yes, I am tired and worn out from trying to stay updated with vegan developments however there is one story within this swell of stories that still has the power to get me excited and hold my interest.

IKEA.

I am obsessed by how obsessed vegans are with the plant-based products of IKEA. This is the strange and wonderful world we find ourselves in right now. IKEA is somehow the hottest global trend in veganism!

I spend a lot of time in Mexico City and we do not have an IKEA here. Can you even imagine?! I’ve got IKEA envy. Every single day I watch vegan after vegan post photos of plant-based foods from their local IKEA and I don’t have one near me.

Because I’m currently out of the IKEA loop, I’ve pulled together a few recent Instagram posts showcasing this love affair between UK vegans and the Swedish-founded mega store… plus a few photos from IKEA-loving vegans from around the rest of the world, too.

And until the Mexico City location reportedly opens next year, these photos are all I have.

Let’s do this!

UK photos first up.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B36W_uZJYs0/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B34HkJLJldu/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3wMkObJB8t/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3PuH9upZ2N/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3PryWPBgbB/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B16HsJBpGjX/

Rest of the world.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3mWzhDnXjw/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3koXEHJYEn/

If I haven’t showcased your favourite IKEA vegan eats, please let me now all about it in the comments.

In the instance I ever do make it to an IKEA, the first place you will hear about it is my Instagram account.

Legendary vegan bakery in London robbed

by

The legendary vegan bakery Ms Cupcake of Brixton, London was broken into last night.

Sharing the news on their social media, staff showed the broken window where entrance to the shop was gained using a brick.

The update also stated that cash was stolen from the business.

The Ms Cupcake bakery is one of the true pioneer vegan businesses in the UK and was largely responsible for launching the booming interest in veganism we see today.

I recently interviewed Ms Cupcake founder Mellissa Morgan for Tenderly online magazine. We talked about the trials and tribulations of running an independent vegan business and how the biggest hurdles are often completely unexpected.

In the interview (which you can read online here), Mellissa talked of how the business recently recovered from a flood. This break in was never going to have good timing, but right now feels particularly difficult for the team.

Please consider what you might do to help support the Ms Cupcake team as they move past this trouble.

My suggestions are:

  • Visit the store as soon as you can and spend up big (they sell a huge range of pantry items, packaged sweets, ice cream, and of course legendary cakes and slices)
  • Follow Ms Cupcake on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
  • If you are at VegFestUK London this week at Olympia, stop by the Ms Cupcake stall (stand number CAT0 – next to One Planet Pizza) and buy lots of cake

In addition, you can catch Mellissa presenting a talk at VegFestUK London on Saturday October 26, 2019 between 1:15pm and 1:45pm.

Mellissa will be talking about all things sweet on the Foodies Stage.

Learn how you can use alternatives to refined sugars in your baking but still get immensely indulgent and decadent results. Over the years Ms. Cupcake has changed and developed her recipes to reflect changing customer tastes and now you can learn her secrets. Find out how this Brixton bakery has removed a third of the sugar from their cupcakes and cakes and introduced both a menu of refined sugar free items and a menu suitable for diabetics.

Get all the info about VegFestUK London (including tickets) online here.

Vegan jobs with The Vegan Society

by

Have you ever thought about working with the most-recognised vegan group on the planet?

Check out these positions with The Vegan Society and get busy applying. Yes, they are all based in Birmingham, UK.

Business Development Officer (x 3)

The Vegan Trademark registers tens of thousands of vegan products a year and they are looking for three people to join the busy team and help register even more vegan products.

The role supports the Trademark team, working closely with some of the leading manufacturers across the UK and around the world and actively promoting The Vegan Society’s Trademark. The role will be working to strict deadlines and targets to ensure client expectations are met, managing the client relationship and administering all elements of Trademark product checking, applications, renewals, and queries.

Salary and hours: this is full time (37.5 hours per week) role with a salary of £24,799 per annum.

The application deadline is 9am Wednesday 13th November 2019. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 27th November 2019.

Media and Public Relations Officer

The Media & PR Officer is the first point of contact for the media at the Society and often undertakes high profile media interviews. This role works very closely with all departments to represent the Society’s voice in the media and good interpersonal skills are required.

The successful candidate will be expected to have excellent writing skills with a high standard of literacy and a positive, can-do attitude. A background in PR, journalism, communications or marketing is required and experience of media relations is preferred. Experience of being a spokesperson for an organisation is an advantage but training can be provided to the right candidate.

Salary and hours: this is full time (37.5 hours per week) role with a salary of £22,911 – £28,785 per annum.

The application deadline is 9am Friday 25th October 2019. Interviews will be held week commencing 28th October 2019.

To apply for these roles and find out more information, click here.

Please also take a moment to follow The Vegan Society on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Fry’s heading to Tesco supermarkets UK

by

The Fry Family Food Co is a legendary vegan brand that is known and loved all over the planet.

The family-owned brand is especially famous amongst vegans and the vegan-curious in the UK. Their meat alternatives have been keeping people happy for what must now be a few decades.

In what is great news for lovers of this meat-free brand, The Fry Family Food Co now has products available in Tesco supermarkets around the UK.

You can now find their chilled Pepper Pie, Mushroom Pie, Curry Pie, Med Veg & Squash Slice, and Twin Chicken-Style Sausage Roll (new and seen first in Tesco) in around 800 stores.

Both the slice Slice and Sausage Roll are ready-to-eat straight from the pack, or you can heat them in the oven for a warm and tasty treat.

You can view the entire range of Fry’s products (including the range of pastries available in Tesco) online here.

Fry’s will also be launching three frozen products later this month, so keep your eyes open!

Vegan jobs with a vegan charity

by

Do you need a job and are OK with relocating to Bristol, UK if you don’t already live there?

Viva! is an extremely effective campaign group founded in 1994.

The charity works heard to spread the vegan message with most campaigns focused on improving outcomes for animals, slowing the human-driven destruction of our planet, and helping individuals on their personal wellness journeys.

Viva! has two jobs that I thought might be of some interest to readers, so check them out below:

WordPress Developer

Viva! are looking to recruit a web developer, experienced with WordPress, to join their current web team. Your main role will be to help consolidate and migrate content and functionality across from some of their existing Drupal sites into a new, secure, well-optimised, easy to maintain WordPress website.

Closing date: 28 October 2019

Click here for details of how to apply.

Business Partnerships Manager

The Business Partnerships Manager is responsible for cultivating and maintaining strategic relationships with businesses and corporate partners. Viva! are looking for a highly organised, strategic thinker with strong communication skills. Applicants must thrive in a fast-paced environment, be able to work independently and able to meet tight deadlines.

Closing date: 4 November 2019

Click here for details of how to apply.

Even if these jobs aren’t for you, you can follow Viva! on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Help this independent vegan shop in the UK stay open

by

Friends. I sound like a broken record but it needs repeating constantly.

Shop with independently owned vegan businesses or we will lose them.

The above message was posted by the owner of Kind Earth Vegan Supermarket in Llanelli, South Wales.

They are on the brink of closing.

UK independent vegan businesses are crucial for some many reasons, but I’ll give you just the top few:

  • they create local jobs for local people without exploiting animals
  • they keep more money in local communities
  • they help to keep the focus of animals at the heart of veganism
  • they add social capital to neighbourhoods
  • they are opportunities to cross promote other independent businesses and producers

Kind Earth is a much-loved independent business and the locals want it to stay.

Here are some ways you can help keep it open:

  • if you are in the area, shop there regularly
  • if you are visiting, make a special one-off visit and spend cash
  • sign up to the Kind Earth newsletter to find out how to shop via mail order and join their veg box scheme
  • follow Kind Earth on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

If you are in South Wales, drop in for a visit. You can see the exact location of Kind Earth thanks to Google Maps.

Vegan Indian restaurant in Mexico City

by

I’ve long been singing the praises of the vegan food scene in Mexico City and it certainly isn’t slowing down.

Vegan bakeries, restaurants, cafés, and events are popping up all over the Mexican capital.

One of the newest additions is Naan Mexico, a vegan Indian restaurant located in the Santa María la Ribera neighbourhood.

Located on the side of Parque Santa María la Rivera – San Cosme (a small park and square just a one minute walk from San Cosme Metro station), the restaurant is a casual space with bright paint and a pleasant view of the square.

The menu is relatively small for an Indian restaurant, but the food is affordable and tasty.

I enjoyed samosas with chutney, a glass of mango lassi, and a bowl of Kashmiri curry.

It is a great option for that part of the city which has been a little lacking in vegan restaurants.

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

Be sure to follow Naan Mexico on Instagram.

Vegan supper club for Halloween in London

by

The fabulous Cafe Van Gogh in Brixton is hosting an exclusive vegan supper club for Halloween.

London, get your best scary fancy dress at the ready and turn up hungry on the night!

The image above lists the tasty-sounding menu:

  • Welcome spiced cider on arrival
  • Beetroot and roasted garlic soup with candied sunflower seeds
  • Mustard and fennel seitan sausage-stuffed pumpkin with mushrooms and buttery leeks
  • Sticky toffee apple pudding with caramel custard

The cost person is £30 and you need to email info@cafevangogh.co.uk to make a reservation.

The dinner will run from 7:00pm until 9:30pm on Thursday December 31, 2019.

In extra news, you are welcome to attend this dinner in Halloween fancy dress and the best costume will be awarded a Saturday brunch with the cafe!

Be sure to follow Cafe Van Gogh on Instagram.

Gluten free baking masterclass in London

by

In this hands-on masterclass I’ll share my tips and tricks for making sensational gluten-free baked goods that taste even better than the gluten versions. I’ll show you how to achieve spongy textures, deep flavours and blend your own flour mixes.

– Antonio Alderuccio, Head Chef at The Plant Hub (a plant based gluten free bakery, restaurant, community and culinary academy)

Get involved in this exclusive vegan and gluten free baking masterclass taking place at Made In Hackney community kitchen on Sunday November 10, 2019.

This is a rare opportunity to learn techniques from one of the leading experts in the field of plant-based, gluten free baking.

This masterclass will include:

  • How to make the Plant Hub’s famous deliciously soft and golden gluten free focaccia and stunning rainbow burger buns
  • Learn tips and techniques for making sensational gluten free seasonal brioche and chocolate buns
  • A-Z of gluten free ingredients including flours, binders, seasonings and raising agents
  • A delicious organic plant based lunch, recipe pack and bread to take home
  • Antonio Alderuccio, aka The Rainbow Chef, is an experienced professional Italian gluten free baker and is Head Chef at the Plant Hub in Hackney, a plant based gluten free bakery, restaurant, community and culinary academy.

Fee: £98 (£78 Concession for students, pensioners, unemployed and low waged) inclusive of VAT, includes a delicious organic plant based lunch.

This fee is used to fund the Made in Hackney programme of free courses for 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 book your spot now and follow Made in Hackney on Instagram.

Job in a vegan beer tap house

by

Twisted Barrel Ale is recruiting!

The legendary Coventry brewery and tap house (where I once hosted Coventry Vegan Beer Fest) has a part time job available.

They are looking for part time Bar Staff for their Tap House in Fargo Village.

The job involves:

• Preparation and serving of food and drink
• Developing an in depth knowledge of Twisted Barrel Ale products and guiding customers through the beer styles on offer
• Maintaining a clean and welcoming bar and tap house
• Assisting with ad hoc brewery and tap house requirements

The successful applicants will:

• Be interested in craft beer
• Have bar and customer service experience
• Be able to work well with others, follow instruction and adhere to health and safety practices
• Be available to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to jen@twistedbarrelale.co.uk

The closing date for this job is October 27, 2019.

Also, follow Twisted Barrel on Instagram.