Mr Tofu has had a store front in central Mexico City for a few years, but they have just gone and opened a brand new updated version in the trendy Condesa area.
Mr Tofu is not just a chain of vegan stores around Mexico. The company also acts as the leading importer of vegan goods into the country.
The new location at Quintana Roo 145 in Condesa is beautiful.
Freezers are packed solid with meat and dairy alternatives including market leaders Gardein, Follow Your Heart, Tofurky, Daiya, Field Roast, and Beyond Meat.
Check out these gorgeous photos showing the inside and outside of the new Mr Tofu location.
The store isn’t a cafe but they do have vegan hot dogs on heating rollers and they will cook you up a Beyond Burger on a grill which you can then garnish yourself with ketchup, mustard, onions, and jalapeños.
They also have a soft serve ice cream machine!
Mr Tofu already has multiple location spread around Mexico with many more to follow in the next few years.
You can see the exact location of the new Condesa location thanks to Google Maps and be sure to follow Mr Tofu Condesa on Instagram.
The Fry Family Food Co. has just launched two amazing-looking vegan pizzas featuring their legendary chicken-style strips.
Both the Smoky BBQ Woodfired Pizza and the Mediterranean Woodfired Pizza feature the chicken-style strips and are currently being sold by Coles supermarkets all around Australia.
The famous meat-free brand has suggested on social media that the pizzas will start to make their way into other stores soon and as they are made in Italy, it would make sense to find them in the UK before too long.
Sheffield. Have you been into your superstar vegan grocery store lately?
Well, I’ve got a very solid reason why you need to get in there ASAP.
The Incredible Nutshell located in Heeley has long been one of the best vegan shops on the planet. They stock a HUGE range of plant-based treats, chilled products, and goodies for your pantry.
And now they are selling the new and improved Jeavons toffees and chocolates.
Check out these images below.
Jeavons have spent several years raising funds for new machinery and trialling how to use it in order to produce all their treats on a bigger scale as opposed to their previous handmade techniques. This upgrade was crucial due to the immense demand for their tasty treats.
The Incredible Nutshell has always been a champion of independent vegan food producers, so it should be no surprise that the Sheffield store is proudly selling these toffees and chocolates.
Get into The Incredible Nutshell to be one of the first in the UK to try the new and improved treats by Jeavons. Click here to see all the details including address of the shop.
You can also follow The Incredible Nutshell on Instagram.
If you are not in Sheffield but want these treats, order online from the Jeavonswebsite. You can also follow the brand on Instagram.
You are going to need to be VERY fast to get your hands on some of these delights.
ConVEctionery is an online UK store specialising in vegan treats, chocolates, and bakes.
For a super limited time (as in this weekend ending Sunday July 7, 2019) you can order two AMAZING items for delivery to your home or office.
Check this out.
If you are able to view the images above, you will have witnessed vegan white chocolate Kit Kats and white chocolate Wagon Wheels.
Oh, yes!
Of course CoVEctionery has plenty of other treats to order as well, but these white chocolate Kit Kats and Wagon Wheels are only available this weekend.
You gotta get over to their online shop as fast as you can because I predict they will not last long.
Don’t you just hate when you go to a cinema and there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for vegans to consume from the concessions stand?
Fellow cinema goers are struggling under trays of savoury snacks and ice creams and popcorn and soda.
The rejection I’ve experienced at cinemas has been decades long so imagine my overwhelming delight at visiting a cinema in Los Angeles and being faced with too much vegan choice.
Gil and I were invited to try out all the vegan goodies at Laemmle theatres.
Laemmle is an independently owned cinema chain specialising in arthouse films. We hopped along to their North Hollywood location for a screening of the latest Jim Jarmusch release The Dead Don’t Die and picked up all of these amazing treats.
Pretty impressive, right?
As you can see, Laemmle theatres are selling Fry’s products and I promise you I never thought I’d live to see the day when a cinema chain had vegan hot food options of such a high standard.
I gobbled up the hot dog, the sausage roll, and the gluten free nuggets.
When you are in Los Angeles, make time to take in a film screening at one of the nine Laemmle locations AND eat well while you do it.
You can follow Laemmle on Instagram. You can also follow Fry’s on Instagram.
This article was originally published as my monthly column in Vegan Life Magazine. You can find out about subscribing to this magazine online here.
Are you a plugged in vegan?
At a time when more humans than ever are glued to smartphones and hooked on handheld devices, it might seem a bit irresponsible of me to encourage vegans to spend more time online.
However, I’m convinced we can harness the positive attributes of social media for the purpose of spreading the vegan message and improving outcomes for non-human animals.
Staying switched on and being connected to the wider world digitally is an effective form of campaigning. We can promote independent business, we can offer support for new vegans, and we can connect with likeminded individuals by utilising the power of the Internet.
Firstly, social media is a powerful marketing tool when it comes to helping independently owned vegan business.
Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are no cost at their basic levels and are extremely user-friendly, easily navigable by the least computer savvy.
Small businesses can build loyal social media followings (and therefore strong customer bases) by sharing news, product updates, menu changes, opening hours, photos, and even staff profiles.
These social media platforms are simple to use and allow the business owner to have total control over how they are represented in the world, without the need for expensive marketing budgets. You don’t even need to own a computer or laptop to make yourself known online as most phones now come with all you need to self publish. A decent built in camera and the ability to surf the Internet is all you require in order to become your own publicity department.
Local vegan markets are springing up all over world and these projects can also benefit from being visible on social media.
Attendees can bring crucial attention to vegan markets and fairs by sharing photos of their experience on Instagram and Twitter. The markets themselves in turn can retweet and share these posts, which is a fantastic way to build a relationship with the market regulars and create a buzz around what is happening.
Using a hashtag on your posts make the business or market searchable, meaning people who are thinking of visiting can check out what you have to offer ahead of time. Hashtags are an incredibly effective (and free) way of keeping track of visitor-generated social media content and repurposing it as additional content for your own pages.
You might be reading this and thinking, “Hey FGV. This is all well and good but I’m not a small business owner. Why do I need to know about the value of social media?”.
Of course you can support your favourite local business by posting about them online and leaving positive reviews, but the power of social media is also a persuasive tool in our campaigning to improve outcomes for animals. Even if we don’t feel like we have a product to sell, we can use our online presence for the good of animals.
Telling our vegan stories on YouTube is a form of activism. Posting our delicious vegan food photos on Instagram is a persuasive form of activism. Sharing news stories of vegan food advancements on Facebook is a form of activism.
You can create lists on Twitter to keep track of your favourite restaurants, activists, recipes, and vegan chefs. These lists are handy resources to send to new vegans or those interested in exploring the plant-based side of life.
As exciting as diving into this digital wild west can feel, it is important to remember some rules for sharing content on social media. These rules apply no matter if you are a business, an activist, or just enjoying your own online vegan adventure.
Use your own photos and created content, or be sure to credit the creator when you can. Nobody likes to have their hard work taken for free and there are laws prohibiting you from taking and using intellectual property for free.
Make sure photos are clear and well lit. You get your point across much more effectively whether that is selling a product, trying to convince people to make kinder choices, or just trying to grab a few likes for your impressively plated dinner from last night!
Stay away from sharing stories, images, and campaigns that use oppressive language and visuals. Vegan activism doesn’t have to (and really shouldn’t) include sexism, racism, homophobia, or any other forms of bigotry in order to be effective.
Take a minute to reconsider what you are sharing before you do and ask yourself if the content is kind to animals AND humans. If it isn’t, don’t share it!
Use it wisely and social media can be wonderful. Be kind online, be considerate with what you share, and work hard to make the Internet a safe space for humans who want to do better. Harness the power of the digital age, not animals!
Gil and I were recently in Los Angeles, so I made sure I put some time aside in order to visit a Veggie Grill location.
In case you don’t know, Veggie Grill is a vegan restaurant chain with locations around the USA.
The growth of the restaurant group has been sensational with approximately thirty locations spread around the country.
Their food is some of the best plant-based cuisine you will eat on the planet, with a special seasonal mini menu that changes throughout the year in addition to their regular items.
Check out my photos below and be sure to follow Veggie Grill on Instagram.
Brussels sprouts and tempura green beans with ranch dipping sauceBuffalo Bomber burger with Smoky Corn Bisque, All Hail Kale salad, and mash potato with mushroom gravy
Mexico has certainly been stepping up when it comes to vegan cuisine.
Most major towns and cites have at least one or two vegan eateries, mainstream supermarkets are bursting with plant-based alternatives, and there is even a monthly vegan food fair in Mexico City.
But in even bigger news, Mexico now as a vegan restaurant chain called VEGAN INC.
VEGAN INC was founded a few years ago by Chef Andres in the northern city of Monterey, the capital of Nuevo León. Branching out from there, he soon opened a second location in the upmarket Mexico City neighbourhood of Polcano.
Andres crafted a sophisticated menu that combines traditional Mexican flavours, international cuisine, and the latest vegan food advances.
I was recently invited to a sneak preview of the menu at the third VEGAN INC location on Avenida Revolución in San Angel, positioned in the south of Mexico City.
The food was sensational.
Before you scroll down to enjoy the view, I’m thrilled to also tell you that VEGAN INC have TWO MORE restaurants opening over the next few months.
Locations four and five will be in the cities of Puebla and Guadalajara.
That’s correct, friends. Mexico has a vegan restaurant chain that is soon to boast five locations spread around the country. Now that’s some impressive progress.
Preview menuStrawberry and agave syrup limeadeGinger and agave syrup limeadeFondue selection of croutons, grapes, and broccoliMushrooms marinated in lime juice and chile served with chipotle and avocado mayosDry noodles served with almond ricotta, avocado, and dehydrated crackerAvocado, beetroot, hummus, and radish stackMushroom taco served with moleBBQ BurgersChocolate cake (with carrot cake in the background)
Have you been missing Hackney Downs Vegan Market ever since we wrapped it up earlier this year?
Well, dry your tears because we are coming back in mini form for one night only… and the food line up is set to be legendary.
Thursday July 4, 2019 marks the tenth anniversary of the Open Studios celebration at Hackney Downs Studios and as part of their mammoth party they have asked me to return with my favourite traders for the evening.
From 6pm you will be able to feast heartily on the following:
Arancini Brothers will be there with their famous food truck selling their even more famous loaded arancini balls. This is some of the finest food in the city and will be difficult to turn down if you are there on the night.
Bar Dei Baci have built up a huge and loving following of customers and it’s not a surprise why. Their deep fried pizzas are the stuff of dreams.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwOjQXTA0No/
I am so deeply proud of Let’s Do Temaki and the growth they’ve shown since debuting at the original Hackney Downs Vegan Market. Maki rolls and sushi burritos from Temaki are second to none.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByKsbFKJ4SN/
The 100% plant-based cuisine by Oh My Gulay! is spectacular. Filipino recipes done vegan and done better than most food you will ever taste. I promise.
Vegan Delice was the reigning sugar queen of the original Hackney Downs Vegan Market so it makes sense to have Chanel back for our special night. Expect the usual decadent treats from one of the best vegan bakers on the planet.
If the food isn’t enough to get you down there, certainly all the other fun stuff happening on the night will do it.
The Open Studios event will allow you to meet and network with over 300 inspiring creatives, as you discover their spaces and check out their incredible work. Take a tour of our collaborative spaces Palmspace and Heartspace to meet the makers & artists behind them for a chance to purchase original works of art, craft and design.
Expect exhibitions and talks curated by residents as well as taster classes & workshops, exclusive sample sales and art showcase at Public Gallery. Enjoy live music, food, drinks and dancing at our after party.
In addition, Venetia Falconer will be bringing you an insight into the world of sustainability with an exclusive talk and Q&A at low waster shop Re:Store as part of the Open Studios programme.
Venetia Falconer has long been an advocate of reducing plastic usage and promotes mindful consumption, and has been featured in Vogue as one of the ‘Top Eco Influencers To Follow’.
Book your tickets NOW for this sensational vegan pop up event featuring the flavours of Mauritius.
Vegan Mauritian Supper Club is taking place at Black Cat Café in Hackney on Tuesday July 30, 2019 from 7pm.
This is a meal you do not want to miss. Chef Khaleed is ready to feed you some of the finest plant-based cuisine in the capital.
Khaleed says of the night:
In Mauritius, we have a phrase we say ‘La case Mama’ which means Mother’s House. My food will be proper home cooked food and hopefully you will not be leaving hungry. Please feel free to ask for seconds!
The menu? Check it out below:
Starters: vegetable samosa and gateaux piment (chilli cakes, crushed split peas) served with a tomato and coriander chutney
Mains: tomato curry, butter bean curry, chow chow curry, aubergine and potatoe curry served with rice and ti puri (fried roti)
Dessert: tarte bannan (banana tart) served with vegan vanilla ice cream
Black Cat will be selling their drinks at this event.
Click here to book your tickets before they are all gone and be sure to follow Mauritian Vegan Supper Club on Instagram.
