Arancini Brothers at the market

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This week has been a big week for Arancini Brothers and a big week for vegan London.

The fast food chain is celebrating all three of its bricks and mortar locations having finally become 100% vegan.

It started as somewhat of an experiment at their Old Street location which saw the outlet switch to a fully plant-based menu for Veganuary, however the decision swiftly followed to turn all three locations vegan.

Forever!

To help Arancini Brothers celebrate its first week as a fully vegan business, we have invited them to trade at Hackney Downs Vegan Market this Saturday with their food truck (Saturday March 3, 2018).

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The gorgeous food truck will be selling fresh risotto balls and succulent burgers.

If you haven’t enjoyed the Arancini Brothers experience, this Saturday is your chance to make it happen.

You can see the full trader line up for Hackney Downs Vegan Market online here.

You can read about the new in-store vegan menu by Arancini Brothers online here.

You can follow Arancini Brothers on Instagram.

The return of Vegan Beer Fest UK 2018

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It is around this time of year when my inbox starts filling up with queries about Vegan Beer Fest UK, especially in regards to dates and venues.

This series of events has built a loving and loyal following over the years (can you believe it will be the 6th annual London version?!) and people are keen to have advance warning in order to book time off work.

I’m thrilled to be able to announce the following dates for 2018:

  • 6th annual London Vegan Beer Fest – Saturday July 14, 2018 – Hackney Downs Studios – Facebook event page
  • Coventry Vegan Beer Fest – Saturday July 28, 2018 – Twisted Barrel Taproom – Facebook event page
  • 3rd annual Glasgow Vegan Beer Fest – Sunday August 5, 2018 – Mono – Facebook event page
  • 2nd annual Sheffield Vegan Beer Fest – Saturday August 18, 2018 – Yellow Arch Studios – Facebook event page

As you can gather from the list of dates, we are yet to lock in a date or venue for Manchester.

We are working overtime to find a suitable location for what will be the 3rd annual Manchester Vegan Beer Fest. The venue we used for the past two years has been closed for refurbishment until 2019.

I am extremely keen to make this event happen in Manchester, so stay tuned for updates.

You can follow Vegan Beer Fest UK on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Leeds eatery goes vegan

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BIG NEWS out of Leeds.

Comfort food eatery MOG’S located on Kirkstall Lane has taken the plunge and will become 100% vegan starting this week.

MOG’S is famous in Leeds for serving up decadent wraps, burgers and breakfast plates. They have always had a super strong vegan offering but used to sell animal products.

That is all about to change with a menu revamp that is completely plant-based.

Check it out!

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The menu is packed solid with chicken dinners, Philly cheesesteak subs, fries, slaw, and milkshakes. It’s a fully vegan menu and it all sounds fabulous.

You can follow MOG’S on Instagram to stay updated on the good eating plus click here to see their exact location thanks to Google maps.

London vegan superstar chef announces book deal

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If you are one of the hundreds of people (maybe thousands) who have turned to me for London eating advice over the past few years, you would have been told to eat at CookDaily.

King of CookDaily has been busy serving up some of the tastiest vegan food on the planet for a while now and his Shoreditch restaurant is nothing short of legendary.

Noodle and soup bowls absolutely burst with flavour and the food is so incredibly popular, you’ll often find yourself caught short if you leave a visit too close to closing time.

In huge news, King reached out to me today to announce that he has finally signed his very first book deal.

This recipe book is surely to be one of the most anticipated book releases for vegans in recent times.

Follow King on Instagram to keep updated and make time to get reacquainted with the CookDaily menu ahead of the book launch.

Vegan cake mix

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Do you enjoy vegan cakes?

I love cake. It is one of the foundation stones of my life, however I am extremely lazy and do not often find myself with the motivation to shop for and then measure all the necessary ingredients.

Yes, that is how lazy I am.

Thankfully, Georgina at The Wildflower Kitchen has me and my laziness covered.

The pre-mixed ingredients in her packs take the hard work out of cake making and can be used for either cupcakes or loaf cakes.

The mixes come in three varieties: chocolate, caraway, and sultana.

You can buy packets of this vegan cake mix from The Wildflower Kitchen online here.

Follow The Wildflower Kitchen on Instagram.

Free vegan pizza and cider in Cardiff

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The Stable pizza restaurant chain is famous for it’s vegan pizza giveaways and now it’s Cardiff’s turn to get in on the act.

Similar giveaways in the London branches of The Stable have seen hundreds and hundreds of vegan and vegan-curious diners line up for free plant-based pizza.

This chain restaurant is now set to run the free vegan food promotion at it’s location on Bridge Street, Cardiff on Wednesday February 28, 2018.

There is no sales catch here.

Show up and order a vegan pizza after 6pm on that date and you won’t pay for it. They also have gluten free options.

Of course if the dough runs out you don’t get a pizza, so if you plan on attending make sure you get along early to secure your free food.

In extra exciting news, there will also be free vegan cider tastings so you can make a whole meal of it! LOL.

It is important to note that this pizza deal is limited to one pizza per person and the restaurant will not be taking bookings.

You can follow The Stable on Instagram. You can RSVP and invite friends over on the Facebook event page for the Cardiff giveaway.

The Stable has locations in multiple UK cities so please visit their website to search if there is one near you.

Three food items not to be missed

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I rarely focus on individual food items at Hackney Downs Vegan Market when it comes to my blog, but this week (Saturday February 24, 2018) it is a different situation.

There are three things I feel you MUST know about.

Number one is the Spanish omelette by La Buenaventura. I can’t get my head around how they make something so amazing but they do and you should buy it.

They sell these incredible packaged omelettes for you to take home alongside their stunning vegan chorizo.

Thing number two? Fudge!

London Maker Chocolate is relatively new to our market but they are making waves with their treats and more waves are expected this week due to refined sugar free fudge topped with raw chocolate.

I don’t know about you, but I need this right about NOW!

Finally, reason number three why you should definitely not miss Hackney Downs Vegan Market this week.

Get an eyeful of this pie!

Young Vegans are famous for innovative and irresistible savoury pies but I think they have outdone themselves this week.

Say hello to their Meatball Marinara and Cheese Pie. This is a market exclusive and will be in limited numbers. I’m actually a little teary and emotional over this one.

See the full trader line up (and other details) for Hackney Downs Vegan Market online here.

FGV mentioned in Look magazine

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If you had told me a few years ago that I would be mentioned in a glossy UK fashion and lifestyle magazine, I would have slapped you with a seitan sausage.

But here we are.

My book Fat Gay Vegan: Eat, Drink and Live Like You Give a Sh!t has just been mentioned in LOOK magazine in a column about things people should be watching, readings, listening to, etc.

It is a little bit surreal to be mentioned on the same page of recommendations as the BRIT Awards, but I’m thrilled that the vegan message (or even the idea of it) is potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of people.

If you are interested in seeing this column on paper with your own eyes, you can buy LOOK in basically every shop in the UK and in some parts of Europe.

Much love to Jillian at my publisher who has been working overtime to get this book some incredible exposure.

You can buy your own copy of the book via Amazon, Foyles, WH Smith, and your local book retailer.

Black Cat Hackney has reopened

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Here is some brief (and good) news for you all.

Black Cat Café in Hackney has finally reopened for business following a period of refurbishment.

I make no secret of my love for Black Cat.

This 100% vegan café is a beacon of fairness and compassion. It is run as a workers cooperative, meaning the owners share all responsibilities and profits. I’d love to see more vegan business in London using this model.

The café supports its local community in wonderful ways, including allowing space for fundraising events.

Get along to Black Cat Café as soon as you can to congratulate them on their reopening. Follow them on Instagram as well.

Vegan tacos in Mexico City

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This is a super quick post to let you know about a wonderful vegan taco restaurant in Mexico City.

It is called Malportaco.

The tacos are cheap, the agua of the day is always splendid, and the people running the place are super friendly.

Pile your tacos high, help yourself to the salsas, and be sure to squeeze the lime wedges liberally.

Follow Malportaco on Instagram.