Zero waste market returns for London

Following a successful launch in 2018, London’s first plant-based, zero waste market is back! This is a not-for-profit initiative with all profits going to Animal Equality, a leading animal protection organisation.

Dedicated to all things eco, Zero Mkt is a one-stop shop with over 40 stallholders. You can purchase bulk grains and fresh produce, upcycled accessories, soaps, candles, cosmetics, vintage clothing and much, much more – all under one roof!

And you get to enjoy tasty vegan food and drink as you browse.

There will also be free workshops taking place throughout the day, including a cooking demo from plant-based, zero waste chef Max La Manna; a talk from Humane Society International (UK) about the environmental impacts of animal agriculture; and an eco embroidery workshop with Offset Warehouse.

Zero Mkt is all about:

  • Zero animal products
  • Zero single-use plastics
  • Zero waste

Surplus meals will be donated to City Harvest and leftover food will be composted and used by the venue’s Gardening Club. Trees will also be planted by event founders, as part of a carbon offsetting mission.

Zero Mkt is taking place on Saturday April 13, 2019 between 10am and 5pm at Saint Thomas More Language College on Cadogan Street, Chelsea.

The nearest underground station is Sloane Square. Lifts and disability accessible toilets are available on site.

Entry into the event and all workshops is totally FREE. Simply download your free ticket in advance on Eventbrite to guarantee entry.

You can follow Zero Mkt on Instagram.

Stunning food at Shoreditch cafe

It has been a long time since I’ve had a chance to dine with Essential Vegan, the superstar vegan café located in Shoreditch, London.

But yesterday I grabbed my chance and thought you might like to see some of the food that hit my table.

Everything featured on the Essential Vegan menu is superb, especially their famous cheese balls and cassava chips.

Our table also made space for the chickn buger, seitan burger, nuggets, and cheese board.

See the mouthwatering delights below and be sure to follow Essential Vegan on Instagram. You can see the exact location of the café thanks to Google Maps.

Panel discussion: can veganism save the planet?

I was recently invited to take part in a panel discussion titled Can veganism save the planet? at the University of Sussex.

You can watch the full length 1h 30m discussion online via the Facebook embed below. I believe the video starts around the 9-minute mark so you may need to skip forward at the beginning.

I would love to hear what you thought of the topics discussed. Leave comments below!

Legendary vegan business for sale in the UK

What an opportunity!

Battered is the groundbreaking vegan fish and chip truck that changed the shape of street food in the UK forever.

If you haven’t tried their chips, battered sausages, pies, or vegan fish then I’m quite confident in saying you haven’t tried some of the best comfort food in Europe.

The food truck has enjoyed roaring success at events all around the country including at Hackney Downs Vegan Market and the Vegan Beer Fest UK events. Lines for their food stretched into the hundreds at Vegan Camp Out.

So you’ve eaten with them, but what about buying the entire business?!

Can you see the details in the image above?

The entire Battered business is for sale including their legendary trailer, fryers, the brand itself, freezers, social media pages, website, branded transit van, and a few more bits and pieces.

This is a ready-to-walk-straight-into superstar vegan business opportunity.

If you are interested in finding out more, email emily@getbattered.com to enquire.

Vegan bakery in Mexico City has soft serve

What’s better than finding out there is a vegan bakery that you haven’t yet tried?

The fact that said bakery also has vegan soft serve, that’s what!

Peace of Cake is a super cute vegan bakery in Polanco, an upmarket neighbourhood and commercial district of Mexico City.

Gil and I trotted over there yesterday, struggling with an unusually hot day in the Mexican capital.

Our efforts in the heat were rewarded when we discovered Peace of Cake has a soft serve ice cream machine. Just like everything in the bakery, the soft serve is vegan.

Check out our treats below and be sure to follow Peace of Cake on Instagram.

New vegan jerky product for UK

Super quick post to let you know there is a new vegan jerk product ready for your consumption.

Plantifull is a company I’ve written about in the past. Remember their ready meals?

The food business has now launched a range of vegan jerky in three flavours: BBQ Mushroom, Hot Tomato, and Teriyaki Pineapple. All flavours are made from real fruit and vegetables.

Ahead of their launch on Ocado and Amazon, you can be one of the first to try by purchasing a sampler pack direct from the Plantifull website.

Click here to buy now and follow Plantifull on Instagram.

Updated menu for the vegan Mexican eatery

I’ve written about Vegamo many times in the past, but this quick update needed to happen.

Vegamo is a super cute café located in the historic centre of Mexico City and the people working there are some of the friendliest in the city.

The reason for this post it to let you know that Vegamo has an updated menu with two very delicious additions.

If you get a chance to visit make sure you order the gorgeous cauliflower wings with onion rings, and the irresisitible corn dogs.

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

New home for London vegan pizza business

Great news for pizza lovers and vegans who like to hang out in Brixton.

Vegan pizza superstars PickyWops are launching their new kitchen takeover on Thursday February 21, 2019 at The Queen’s Head pub in Brixton.

Want better news? PickyWops is hosting a HUGE party on the night to celebrate the launch and you can buy tickets.

Want betterer news? The Queen’s Head is going vegan and staying vegan for good!

The party will start at 7pm and it’s gonna be aperitivo style. Each ticket gives you entrance, a first drink, nibbles of their food and music all night.

Tickets are moving VERY quickly for this opening night party, so be fast and book online.

Moving on from the opening party, the PickyWops kitchen will be open Tuesday through Sunday each week from 6:30pm until 10pm.

The regular menu will include PickyWops pizza as well as pasta, a burger, vegan fish and chips, and a Sunday roast!

Follow PickyWops on Instagram to stay updated on all the latest news. See the exact location of The Queen’s Head thanks to Google Maps.

Vegan discussion panel in Sussex

I’m thrilled to have been asked to join a panel discussion this Thursday February 21, 2019 at the University of Sussex.

So what is it all about?

The Exchange: Can Veganism Save the Planet?

Is a plant-based diet really the answer to saving the world? Or can the environmental impact of industrial farming outweigh the benefits? Can we still consume meat and dairy products in a sustainable way? What should governments and businesses do to promote sustainable living? When should environmental concerns limit individual choice?

Join our panel of speakers as they share their views on food production, sustainable living, individual responsibility, and whether adopting a particular diet is enough to secure our planet’s future. Put your questions to the panel and take part in an evening of lively discussion.

The event will be chaired by Sussex academic Dr Melissa Lazenby and will feature:

  • Louise Davies, Head of Campaigns, Policy and Research at The Vegan Society
  • Leo Hickman, Director and editor of Carbon Brief
  • Sebastien Kaye, undergraduate student at the University of Sussex
  • Nesta McGregor, Radio 1 Newsbeat reporter
  • Sean O’Callaghan aka The Fat Gay Vegan, award-winning writer and vegan events organiser
  • Isabella Tree, author and travel writer

The Exchange from the University of Sussex encourages free expression, lively discussion and the sharing of thoughts and ideas.

Proceeds from this event go to the Sussex Fund.

All event and ticket information (including concessions and event accessibilty) can be found online here. Tickets are selling quickly!

Loss of a vegan pioneer

The following news was shared on social media.

This news is deeply upsetting.

My thoughts are with Antonio’s family and friends.

I cannot speak on how devastating his loss will be for his loved ones, but I can speak on what it means to vegan London.

Antonio elevated vegan food in the capital to another level.

His food wasn’t just food. It was high end cuisine made with expertise. Antonio’s hard work and skill made his Bethnal Green restaurant one of the finest eateries in Europe.

My few visits to the restaurant gave me culinary experiences I will never forget.

In a world filled with grey, mass-produced food, Antonio stood above the crowd with handcrafted pasta that was lovingly created and proudly served.

I thank Antonio’s family and friends for sharing this compassionate, friendly, and wildly talented human with our community.

Photo: antoniosvegankitchen.co.uk