London vegan café keeps impressing

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I’m not trying to be provocative or dramatic, but I truly think TEMPLE GOODS of Hackney is heralding in a new era of vegan food for London.

They keep getting better by the day and have raised the bar like nobody else.

The café (located on site at Hackney Downs Studios) is now open 7-days a week and is serving all day brunch on the weekend, exclusive weekly specials, decadent cakes, coffee, and some of the most inventive plant-based cuisine you can find anywhere on the planet.

And you know it is run owned and operated by the Temple of Seitan team, right?!

The Chick’n Club sandwich featuring their RIDICULOUS vegan bacon and egg is next level. I’m shocked (in a good way) by the quality of the cuisine being served up daily inside TEMPLE GOODS.

Check out some of the photos below including noodle salad, the brunch plate starring the realest non-egg you will see, and the aforementioned club sandwich.

Doesn’t it look gorgeous?

Follow TEMPLE GOODS on Instagram to stay updated with all the latest food photos and be sure to get along soon to try it for yourself.

Remember, the café is on site where we host Hackney Downs Vegan Market every Saturday so you can combine a trip to the market with a visit to TEMPLE GOODS.

The café is also one of our locations for London Vegan Beer Fest on Saturday July 14, 2018. TEMPLE GOODS will be transforming into a beer hall for the day with specials such as bratwurst and pretzels. They will only be serving customers with London Vegan Beer Fest tickets so be sure to book your early bird tickets right now.

London’s first ever vegan bakery turned 7

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If you think eating vegan food in London is a relatively new phenomenon that has found popularity over the past two years, you clearly haven’t done your reading.

There have been food providers working hard to showcase plant-based cuisine for a very long time, with one of these businesses recently celebrating a 7th birthday that completely passed me by.

Ms. Cupcake threw open its doors WAY BACK in April 2011, meaning London’s first ever vegan bakery turned seven years old earlier this year.

That is an incredible achievement for any food business and even more impressive for a vegan business that was paving the way for many others to follow. Mellissa Morgan and her Ms. Cupcake brand have become globally recognised and the store front is still there on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton for you to visit 7-days a week.

I am sharing some recent food photos from the bakery with you below, but let’s also get some important links listed on here.

Click here to see the exact location of the bakery thanks to Google Maps.

Follow Ms. Cupcake on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Find out about ordering bespoke cakes via the bakery’s website.

Order your own copy of the Ms. Cupcake recipe book and get a free Nanaimo bar recipe from the book online here. You can even step back in time to see my blog post from that grand opening day over 7 years ago!

Brewery line up for London Vegan Beer Fest

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London Vegan Beer Fest is less than three weeks ago so it is the perfect time to tell you about the AMAZING brewery line up we have for the event on Saturday July 14, 2018.

We have the following:

On top of all of this, Temple of Seitan will be running an indoor beer and food hall.

It’s almost TOO MUCH. You can see the food trader line up online here.

I will be publishing the full beer list as we get closer to the date.

Click here now to buy your cheap early bird tickets for just £5 plus small booking fee. If we have any left on the day, they will be £9.

You can also buy the official London Vegan Beer Fest t-shirt online now. These will not be sold at the event. They are a web exclusive.

RSVP and invite friends over on the Facebook event page.

Street food at London Vegan Beer Fest

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With less than three weeks until the 6th annual London Vegan Beer Fest, we are locking in traders and that includes some of the best vegan street food in the city.

Not only will you be able to guzzle thirst-quenching beers from all over the UK, you’ll be able to fill your belly with cuisine from these amazing traders:

  • Club Mexicana – superstar Mexican food stall serving burritos, nachos and more
  • Battered – this famous vegan fish and chip truck is PERFECT for the beer fest
  • Arancini Brothers – crunchy risotto balls and burgers from this vegan restaurant chain
  • Young Vegans – what would a beer event be without pie and mash?
  • World O’ Burger – fast food style burgers and sides to rival any takeaway joint
  • Vegan Delice – decadent cakes and tray bakes to represent sugar lover on the day
  • Dough Society – world-famous vegan donut shop with all your glazed needs
  • Black Milq Ice Cream – gourmet vegan ice cream with glorious toppings

In addition to the above, you will be able to experience the following:

  • Temple of Seitan – in their on site vegan café TEMPLE GOODS, these true food heroes will be running an exclusive indoor beer and food hall ONLY for London Vegan Beer Fest ticket holders. This is going to be INCREDIBLE with mammoth menu specials you do not want to miss
  • Follow Your Heart – our fabulous event sponsors will be on hand cooking up samples in order to showcase their products
  • Brass Castle – the legendary Yorkshire brewery will be hosting heir GIANT indoor beer hall
  • Charioke (charity + karaoke) – our famous karaoke performance room is back for laughs and high drama (we will be collecting coins and notes for Mexico City water charity Isla Urbana)
  • Face painting – Moon Castle will be available to decorate your face (what could possibly go wrong with drunk adults and face painting)
  • Outdoor beer market with breweries from all over the UK, pouring their own brews so you can meet the makers!

Early bird advance tickets are just £5 plus tiny booking fee. Click here to buy them now.

Our official London Vegan Beer Fest t-shirts are only available online this year. You cannot buy them at the event. Click here to order in advance so you can wear it on the day!

You can RSVP and invite friends over on the London Vegan Beer Fest Facebook event page.

Three weeks until LVBF

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With just three weeks to go until the 6th annual London Vegan Beer Fest, I wanted to drop by and give you an update on what is happening on Saturday July 14, 2018.

London Vegan Beer Fest is taking over Hackney Downs Showroom, Hackney Downs Studios and TEMPLE GOODS cafe for one hell of a party.

Some of the attractions include:

  • MASSIVE indoor beer hall hosted by superstar brewery Brass Castle
  • Outdoor food and beer market featuring some of the best vegan street food in London and breweries from all over the UK
  • Indoor food and beer hall run by Temple of Seitan
  • Sponsor Follow Your Heart sampling products
  • Karaoke performance room
  • Face painting (yes, for adults!)

This is going to be a party you don’t want to miss.

We are currently selling early bird tickets for just £5 plus booking fee. If we have space on the day, tickets will be £9. Almost 50% of tickets have already gone, so be quick.

Click here to book now and RSVP to the Facebook event page.

New vegan restaurant in Kensal Rise

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Located in vibrant Kensal Rise, Comptoir V brings international vegan cuisine to the heart of west London.

The restaurant descibes itself as having an international, plant-powered menu with decor inspired by the souks of Marrakech. Comptoir V aims to make plant-based eating and drinking exciting for everyone in a beautiful yet relaxed environment.

Some of the menu favourites with diners are the Tempura ‘Shrimp’, Barbecue Mushroom ‘Ribs’ with Vegan Mac and Cheese, the Tagine Special and Oreo ‘Cheesecake’.

Comptoir V also has a large selection of vegan wines, beers, soft drinks and superfood lattes.

Click here to visit the Comptoir V website and view their incredible menu. You can see their exact location here thanks to Google Maps.

Follow Comptoir V on Instagram.

World Cup and vegan street food

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Are you interested in watching the England/Belgium World Cup game AND eating vegan street food at the same time?

Yes? Well, I have some good news for you!

Hackney Downs Studios is the location where I host Hackney Downs Vegan Market and London Vegan Beer Fest.

Each year, the Studios host a massive open day event and this year’s celebration is coming up on Thursday June 28, 2018.

But what is so special about this Open Studios event and why should you care?

Let me list the fun attractions:

  • jewellery workshops
  • weaving demonstrations
  • digital and interactive experimentations
  • life drawing
  • talks
  • exclusive sample sales
  • film screenings
  • installations
  • live music and comedy
  • food, drinks and dancing

PLUS, the Studios will be screening the England vs Belgium World Cup game on screens around the site so you don’t need to miss out on your sports if you are that way inclined.

I was asked asked to curate some food options for the evening (which runs from 6pm until 10pm) and you are going to adore this list of vegan traders who will be there at the Open Studios event:

PLUS Temple of Seitan will be running a vegan BBQ out of their on site cafe Temple Goods. (Please note that there might be some non-vegan traders on site but we definitely have these 6 traders for you who are all 100% vegan)

This is a huge party that comes around only once a year. It has it all. Food. Drinks. Music. Football. BBQ.

You can RSVP to the Facebook event here (where you can also see the itinerary) and claim your FREE TICKET by clicking here.

Yes, that’s right. You can get a free ticket but you need to book it now.

Ethical vegan market in Essex

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The Feel Good Fair has been running monthly since the beginning of 2017 and is the first of its kind in Essex. All products are 100% vegan, traders are local and independent, and all are working towards or currently use environmentally sustainable packaging and production.

This sounds wonderful!

The market has a teaching focus for visitors each month. Past months have focused on zero waste, teaching about composting, demos on making tofu and plant based milks, make-do-and-mend with sewing machines and electrical repairs.

Organisers of The Feel Good Fair told me the focus for the event is on building a sense of community and togetherness. People get along and hang out for hours just chatting at the large communal coffee shop table with books to browse or in the street food section sharing recipes and kind living tips.

The event is free to attend and is run completely by volunteers. It takes place once a month in the town of Coggeshall near Colchester. Click here to see the exact location thanks to Google Maps.

Follow the Facebook page for latest news and dates. The next monthly event is this Sunday June 24, 2018.

New issue of T.O.F.U magazine

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My buddy Ryan publishes an informative and educational magazine called T.O.F.U. and the new issue is out now.

Here is a little bit about the latest issue:

After covering physical and mental health issues in the previous two releases, T.O.F.U. Magazine’s latest (T.O.F.U. #13) focuses on veganism and disordered eating. With articles on struggles with bulimia, anorexia, orthorexia, and other eating disorders (EDs), as well as pieces about recovery and an interview with Muffy J. Davis, the issue seeks to further conversations both for those with EDs and the community in general.

You can order the 60+ page colour magazine as a download now from the T.O.F.U. website.

The suggested price for the issue is $5 Canadian and you are able to name your own price.

Ryan works tirelessly to bring together this insightful magazine packed with useful articles. Get behind his efforts and pay for a copy today!

UK has a vegan shake diner

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Hold onto your vintage petticoats because this is some hugely fabulous news.

The Essex town of Colchester has just welcomed a 100% vegan, 50s-style diner that has a distinct rockabilly vibe.

It looks marvellous!

You need to follow Shakers Dairy Free on Facebook and Instagram. You can click here to see the exact town centre location thanks to Google Maps.

Not only do I adore the idea of a completely vegan diner selling ice cream, shakes, and sandwiches, but I’m also in love with the fact that Shakers are using 100% compostable packaging.

Yay for vegan Colchester! There is definitely a fabulous compassionate scene building in strength in that part of the world.