Ms Cupcake reduces sugar

by

Hey, cupcake fans. I’ve got news for you.

Legendary vegan business Ms. Cupcake situated in Brixton has developed a new icing recipe due to demand from customers.

The icing recipe was very recently changed and now has 33% of the sugar taken out. Yes, 33% less sugar!

This change is in response to customer feedback that said the icing was overly sweet. The new icing recipe is less sweet, with more flavour and the same indulgence.

Ben Woodcock at Ms. Cupcake told me, “This represents a change in direction for our brand that is constantly working hard to adapt to changing customer needs.”

Ms. Cupcake are keen for people to try the new recipe, so this Saturday and Sunday (October 13 and 14, 2018) they are offering 33% discount on all cupcakes bought at the Brixton store. Customers need to say ‘33%’ to get the discount at the checkout.

For people outside London, they are running a 10% discount from now until Sunday October 14, 2018 on their UK-wide postal order service and are recommending the cookie sandwiches or Nanaimo bars which include the new icing recipe. Customers need to quote the promo code ‘33%’. The online menu can be found here.

Follow Ms. Cupcake on Instagram.

New vegan food in Marks and Spencer

by

Not a lot of text to read in this post.

You’ve all come here today to see photos of the new vegan ready meals recently spotted in UK retail chain Marks & Spencer.

I won’t waste your time with attempts at being sassy or clever.

I’m here to give you what you want.

With love, respect and occasional ennui,

FGV xx

Vegan Christmas menu to impress

by

Still looking for your Christmas party venue, Sheffield?

Church: Temple of Fun with food by Make No Bones is available for parties of all sizes from 8 to 60 people.

For larger groups, they can give you exclusive access to their small bar along with a private, roped off area. Drink packages can also be tailored on request.

The exclusive vegan Christmas Banquet Menu from Make No Bones is available for advance bookings at £20.95 per head and it looks incredible!

  • Prawn cocktail
  • Blue cheese and broccoli tempura (GF)
  • Maple bacon, shredded brussel sprout and nutmeg tostadas
  • Roast beef stuffed Yorkshire puddings with horseradish drizzle
  • Sage and onion breaded turkey with cranberry dip (GFO)
  • Pigs in blankets
  • Cauliflower cheese (GF)(N)
  • Roast potato canapes (GF)
  • Leek and parsnip gratin (N)
  • Chocolate orange and spiced rum brownie with blood orange custard

To book your party, please email booking@templeof.fun with your party size, chosen date, time and package requirements.

You can also follow Make No Bones on Instagram.

New vegan honey in the UK

by

Honey is an animal product and therefore not suitable for vegans.

Did you know?! It is produced by bees for themselves and not for human use.

Veganista Limited is now selling BEE APPROVED, a sweetener that looks and tastes like honey but with no bees harmed in its production. It is suitable for those who love honey, but prefer not to consume it.

BEE APPROVED can be used raw or cooked, as a garnish, or as the main ingredient in a variety of dishes including desserts, yogurts, sauces, or even cocktails.

And what is it made from?

BEE APPROVED is derived from brown rice syrup. It is made by breaking down the starch content of cooked rice, turning it into easily digestible sugars. I used to eat this stuff all the time in Australia, where it is found in all major supermarkets. I’m thrilled to see the product being launched in the UK.

It comes in 250g or 150g jars, which are aimed at home consumption. The company also offer a single serve jar of 35g that is suitable for hotels and restaurants, and an individual sachet that can be taken everywhere, including on holidays, so people will never miss out on their favourite treat.

BEE APPROVED is available to buy from the Veganista Limited website (for personal consumers and business trade) and globally via their Etsy store.

You can also follow BEE APPROVED on Instagram.

Shop vegan

by

This is a very brief post in order to share a link with you.

I am sick of reading and hearing about myself go on about the importance of supporting independent vegan business, so I can only imagine how you all feel.

But…

It is crucial that we shop with vegan owned businesses. It helps keep animals at the centre of the vegan message, it helps keep money in local communities, and it helps people create sustainable and fair employment for themselves.

In line with this thinking, Charley of The Incredible Nutshell in Sheffield has created a Google Map to highlight independent vegan grocery stores around the UK.

Click here to take a look. Please make time to visit one or more when you can and if one is nearby your house, make it a regular shopping destination.

Amazing vegan food in Mexico City

by

I spend a lot of time in Mexico City so it is always a thrill for me to try new vegan eateries in the mega city.

And the thrill rarely comes bigger than when I ate at Plan V.

Plan V is a relatively new cafe located in the trendy Condesa neighbourhood of Mexico City. The tree-lined streets are home to a huge number of cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and bakeries. Basically, it’s a visually pleasing place to spend an afternoon.

The menu at Plan V is classic Mexican cuisine done vegan. It is exquisite.

Every single thing that landed on our table was delicious, fresh, and well presented. Check out the images below to see what we tried.

Yes, it all tasted as good as it looks.

If you are in Mexico City, I can’t recommend this food highly enough. Plan V is the best vegan cafe in the city.

You can follow Plan V on Instagram and see the exact location thanks to Google Maps.

New seitan slices and pieces in the UK

by

Hey, friends.

Do you remember the new seitan company out of the UK called Love Seitan?

Love Seitan popped up at a few of my markets last year and have been steadily building their business ever since. They enjoyed an investment from VBites to help them with their expansion and now they have released a big range of seitan deli slices and pieces.

Check them out below.

In addition to the slices and pieces, Love Seitan have their large seitan blocks perfect for roast dinners.

The company is starting to roll out these products into independent food stores around the UK, but in the meantime you can order for home delivery from their website.

Click here to order now and follow Love Seitan on Instagram.

Ethiopian cooking class in London

by

Great news!

Join super talented food creator Woin for an unforgettable vegan Ethiopian cooking class in Brixton on Monday October 22, 2018.

Brixton vegan eatery Cafe Van Gogh has teamed up with Migrateful for this special cooking event.

Moin will be leading attendees through a series of vegan Ethiopian recipes, culminating with a gorgeous sit down meal to be shared by the group.

This is a very special opportunity that doesn’t come around very often, so be quick to book your tickets online now. You can also RSVP and invite friends on the Facebook event page.

Extra note: Migrateful uses cooking to support the integration process of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in London. Follow them on Facebook.

Vegan fish and chip shop opens in London

by

Sutton & Sons, the family run chippy, is launching London’s first stand-alone vegan fish & chip shop.

Opening at 240 Graham Road from 4th October, 2018, the restaurant will serve its signature vegan fish and chips made from banana blossom. A bespoke menu of gourmet vegan fast food dishes, desserts and soft and alcoholic drinks will also be available.

Danny Sutton, owner of Sutton & Sons said, “We’ve been completely gob smacked by the popularity of our vegan menu. People have visited us from all over the country, just to try our take on vegan fish. We didn’t have space in the Hackney branch like at Stoke Newington and Essex Road to provide the vegan menu, so we are chuffed to now provide a space dedicated to our new vegan customers.”

Sample menu:

(Prices the same for eat-in or takeaway)

  • Fish & chips £7.50
  • Fish burger £6.00
  • Battered sausage & chips £5.50
  • Prawn cocktail £5.50
  • Scampi and chips £6.00
  • Pie and mash £7.50

They have even created vegan friendly homemade tartare sauce for your dipping needs.

After successfully trialling different vegan options in January, Sutton & Sons previously rolled out a vegan menu in Stoke Newington & Essex Road branches. The vegan fish was so successful they sold out in the first week of the menu becoming full time.

You can follow the vegan Sutton & Sons on Instagram.

You can click here to see the exact location of the new vegan chippy thanks to Google Maps. It is just around the corner from Temple of Hackney, a 100% vegan owned and operated food business run by Temple of Seitan.

The new vegan Sutton & Sons is just a 20-minute walk from Hackney Downs Vegan Market, which is now on every Saturday and Sunday.

Special chocolate menu in London vegan restaurant

by

Calling all chocolate lovers!

National Chocolate Week is coming up soon and West London vegan restaurant Comptoir V will be joining thousands of chocolate-lovers around the country in celebration of everyone’s favourite sweet treat.

Comptoir V will be serving a vegan 3-course cacao-centric menu for the entire celebratory week (15th – 21st October, 2018).

The specially designed menu will include:

  • Starter options of Cocoa and Beetroot Bake with Scotch Bonnet Hummous
  • Mains of Black Bean Cocoa Infused Chilli with Guacamole and Vegan Creme Fraiche
  • Desserts including Gooey Chocolate Hummous Sundae, Chocolate Orange ‘Cheezecake’ and Moroccan Pancakes with Chocolate Hummous and Caramelised Biscuit filling served with vegan vanilla ice cream.

All dishes can be ordered separately or part of a 3-course menu including a cocktail or superfood hot drink for £29.95.

The Comptoir V cacao menu will be available from 15th – 28th October, 2018 and booking is recommended to avoid missing out.

Comptoir V in Kensal Rise is open from midday to 10PM from Monday to Friday and also midday to 11PM on Saturday and Sunday. To book or for more information on Comptoir V you can call 0203 092 0047 or visit their website.

Follow Comptoir V on Instagram.