New vegan pizza pockets in London

by

HOLY SHIT!

It is a Hackney Downs Vegan Market exclusive tomorrow Saturday May 12, 2018. Young Vegans are debuting a new Pizza Pie Pocket menu ONLY at our market. Kinda like McDs fritters BUT VEGAN AND FUCKING AWESOME.

Menu:

  • The Barbie: Pan fried chicken pieces with house BBQ sauce and cheese cheesy
  • Red Bianca: Creamy ricotta, broccoli and our family’s signature marinara sauce
  • Willy Wonky: Melty chocolate with peanut butter (warning: messy!)

I’m sure these will be a smash hit, so get used to seeing these on their regular menu in the Camden shop in the near future.

Be one of the first people in London to try at the market. Full details here.

Follow Young Vegans on Instagram.

Sheffield eatery turns 100% vegan

by

Wow. Calm down, Sheffield!

Sheffield is a runaway vegan train.

Joni is a deeply adored eatery known for macaron, brunch and coffee. The big news out of the South Yorkshire city this week is that Joni has become a 100% vegan business.

Yes. Vegan macaron. Vegan cakes. Vegan milks. Vegan bread. Vegan pastries. Everything is vegan and everything looks absolutely stunning.

I’m thrilled to hear this news and can’t wait to get along for a visit.

Please follow Joni on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Let them know how much you appreciate and support their big switch.

See the exact location of Joni online thanks to Google Maps.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BilzXuvgWQN/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BijTF05gwf-/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiWjVKBAmf3/

Vegan taco pop up in Brixton

by

Hey, vegan taco lovers.

Here is a fab menu available for one night only at a super cool bar in Brixton.

The talented people of Jump to the Beet catering are hosting another glorious pop up event at The Sympathetic Ear on Tulse Hill in Brixton.

The taco pop up is taking place on Thursday May 17, 2018 between 6:30pm and 9:30pm.

You can simply show up (see bar location thanks to Google Maps) or contact the venue through their website to book a table.

But what about the menu?

  • Wild mushroom, pasilla chilli salsa, pico de gallo
  • Breaded paprika cauliflower, roasted red pepper & tomato salsa
  • Black beans, roasted sweet potato, smoked chipotle
  • Smoky aubergine, baby sweet corn, ancho chilli, cashew nut

Sounds amazing.

Follow Jump to the Beet on Instagram.

Mushroom masterclass

by

There is a mushroom masterclass coming up this Saturday May 12, 2018 at Made in Hackney and if you can afford to attend, it looks like it will be extremely informative and useful.

“We will share our passion and knowledge of cooking and growing gourmet mushrooms, as well as practical tips and recipes, so that you can bring delicious umami flavours to your meals”

Mark Breen, Professional Chef & Cookery Tutor & César Hernán Rizzo Gómez, Urban Grower & Cook

The class will include:

  • How to cook different types of gourmet mushrooms to intensify their unique flavours and textures
  • How to bring out the delicious ‘umami’ flavour of mushrooms
  • How to grow gourmet mushrooms from used coffee grounds
  • How to store your mushrooms correctly to get the best from them
  • Various cooking techniques which will preserve the nutritional properties of mushrooms
  • Tasty ‘tried and tested’ recipes using mushrooms as a starter, a main or a side dish
  • A delicious organic plant based lunch and recipes to take home

César is an urban farmer and accomplished cook. He is the founder of ‘Article Number 25’, an Urban Farming Company aiming to change the food system, which grows different varieties of mushrooms from used coffee grounds and converts unused spaces into farms.

Mark is a professional chef and cookery tutor, working with various cookery schools across the capital. He also runs Seasonal Kitchen, a company offering unique dining experiences and private chef services.

Fee*: £70 (£55** Concession) includes a delicious organic plant based meal

  • This fee is used to fund the programme of free courses to vulnerable and low-income community groups. By attending a Made In Hackney masterclass you get a great day of learning AND you’re providing the charity with essential funds for them to continue their work with vulnerable community groups.

** Concessionary rate available for students, pensioners, unemployed and low waged

Click here to book a spot at this mushroom masterclass now! At the time of posting, their were only 8 spaces remaining.

New vegan coffee shop in Dalston

by

I simply cannot keep up with vegan news flying out of London.

I adore hearing it all, but there is too much!

I’m thrilled to announce that a brand new 100% vegan coffee shop and deli is opening tomorrow (Tuesday May 8, 2018) on Kingsland Road.

Happy Cat Coffee has been trading for a while as a market stall and pop up concern, but the Dalston spot marks their first ever permanent shop.

The first 20 people to visit on opening day (7am until 7pm) get a free dairy-free coffee to celebrate!

Happy Cat offers oat, coconut, soya, almond and cashew milks, and while you are there you can pick up some bean-to-bar chocolate. Everything is vegan and in the next week or so customers will be able to grab vegan steaks, vegan sausage rolls, and pasties.

Happy Cat is located at 374a Kingsland Road Dalston E8 4AA in a super cute space next to a tailor. You can see the exact location on Google Maps.

You can follow Happy Cat on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Vegan food in Glasgow

by

When asked about the most vegan-friendly destination around the UK, I always list Glasgow in my top three. It often makes number one.

The Scottish city has long been a haven for plant-based foodies and there is actually too much choice if you are only visiting for a few days.

If you live there, you will already understand that Glasgow is a world class vegan city.

It might actually be difficult to keep updated with all the latest vegan news. That’s what prompted this blog post. I wanted to list all of the 100% vegan places in Glasgow. Please let me know if I have missed any.

This list doesn’t include the non-vegan places which offer fantastic vegan options, so please use the HappyCow listings to discover those hidden gems and join the Vegan Edinburgh and Glasgow Facebook group if you would like keep informed about all things vegan in that part of the world.

Now, let’s start our vegan tour of Glasgow!

The Flying Duck – junk food kitchen, late night bar, and live music venue that is famous for hosting mini vegan fetes inside!

Falafel To Go – I’ve seen so many photos online showing people lining up for this food, it must be good. This hole in the wall spot is near the corner of Hope and Sauchiehall.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUwX1tGh3gI/

Stereo Cafe Bar – solid comfort food in this legendary live music venue and bar. Tucked away on Renfield Lane, Stereo is one of the finest spots in Glasgow for food, drink and live music. They also host some fab club nights.

Picnic – this deli and cafe on Ingram Street in the Merchant City section of Glasgow is truly a gem of a place. They serve up fresh sandwiches, nutritious bowls, hearty breakfasts, and irresistible cakes and pastries.

The Glasvegan – this comfort food spot in St Enoch Square can only be properly represented by viewing the menu.

Mono Cafe Bar – what can I add when it comes to this legendary Glasgow location? The food is pure decadence and it remains one of the best places in the city to catch live music. Extra curricular activities include the on site record shop and our annual Glasgow Vegan Beer Fest which is hosted here!

Lotus Vegetarian Cuisine – I have never heard people rave as much about a place as people from Glasgow rave about Lotus. If you are in the mood for a very typical Chinese/UK food joint with all sorts of fried and sticky dishes, this is the place for you.

In Bloom – located very close to St Georges Cross subway station, this is a Nirvana-inspired vegan cafe serving tasty-looking food. Yes, as in Kurt Cobain!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh9AIFxFs1R/

The Hug & Pint – maybe my favourite place to eat in the city, The Hug & Pint is a gorgeous vegan kitchen combined with a fabulous beer bar and live music venue. Located between St Georges Cross and Kelvinbridge stations along Great Western Road.

The 78 Bar & Kitchen – with the return of superstar chef VSO to this kitchen, you can now consume some of the best vegan food in the UK at The 78. Top tip: try to grab a table close to the open fire on a chilly day. They get a few of them in Scotland, apparently.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiRXZVclfSS/

The V & V Cafe – this West End establishment is everything. By that I mean it is a coffee shop, a cafe, a mini grocery store, and a completely wonderful place for vegans to visit.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh6O9oqlfjL/

The Old Hairdresser’s – this isn’t a dining establishment but this music venue and gallery space serves only vegan booze. Situated opposite Stereo.

Serenity Now – another vegan spot on Great Western Road and another name inspired by a pop culture reference. This one takes its name from a famous episode of television sitcom Seinfeld. Those burritos, though!

 

Vegan spot re-opens in Sheffield

by

If my super fabulous Sheffield contact Jez (who works at The Incredible Nutshell) didn’t exist, I wouldn’t know a fraction of the vegan info that I do.

Jez keeps me updated with a lot of news and is such a proud promoter of all things vegan in Sheffield.

It was Jez who told me a while back about a new vegan café called Wild Leaf.

Flash forward a bit and I’m now being informed by my South Yorkshire super sleuth that Wild Leaf had been closed for a short while but has now reopened under new management.

Wild Leaf has a focus on nutritious foods such as buddha bowls, smoothies, salads, and sandwiches while it also serves items such as a full English breakfast, coffee and cakes.

The cafe is about a 5-minute walk from Steel City Cakes and The Burger Garden. You can see the exact location thanks to Google Maps.

You can like Wild Leaf Vegan Cafe on Facebook.

Vegan Beer Fest UK t-shirts with free shipping

by

Even if you aren’t attending any of the Vegan Beer Fest UK events during summer 2018, you might still like to own the t-shirt.

Each city has a white and black version of the design and for a limited time you can pay ZERO for shipping.

Yes, that’s right. Order online before midnight on Monday May 7th, 2018 and you don’t pay shipping.

These exclusive t-shirts are only available online in 2018. We will not be selling them at the events. Click here to pick your size and take advantage of this free shipping offer.

You can also buy early bird tickets for London, Glasgow, Coventry and Sheffield online now.

New vegan eatery in Cumbria

by

Great news!

The Cumbrian town of Whitehaven has a vegan eatery thanks to Louise and Dave.

Check out what Louise had to say about Beans & Greens:

Whitehaven is a lovely little town in West Cumbria. After living in France for 10 years, my husband Dave and I wanted to start up a vegan bistro and a shutdown cafe was available to rent in the centre of town. We have decided to go with a small menu which is totally homemade to provide quality food to our customers. Pizza is one of our favourite things to make (we have plans to build a wood fired pizza oven very soon). From a kale pesto based pizza to an Indian pizza with creamy masala sauce and roasted chickpeas, there’s something for everyone. We have starters such as nachos with our homemade melted vegan cheese and spicy salsa as well as our tasty onion bhajis with sweet chilli sauce. Our desserts include homemade cheesecake with strawberries and vegan ice cream or chocolate chilli cake. Basically we love vegan food, the ethos of ‘being vegan’, and what we can do for the planet if we all work together. We want to show people that vegan food is delicious and can be enjoyed by everyone.

Sounds fabulous!

You can like the Beans & Greens Facebook page and follow them on Instagram.

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

The café is dog friendly and is currently open Wednesday through Saturday.

Final market for The Sunny Spoon

by

This is an emotional post.

Hackney Downs Vegan Market is more than a place to buy food. For many of our traders, it has become an extended family.

Every single week I receive messages from market visitors who want to tell me that they loved the friendly, community feel of the event.

We work hard to make sure our traders feel happy, comfortable and cherished, which in turn helps create a positive atmosphere that flows onto the punters.

So, it is one big happy family but sadly sometimes people leave home.

Saturday May 5, 2018 is going to mark the final appearance of Clarisse and her superstar vegan patisserie The Sunny Spoon.

Clarisse has decided to follow up with a career opportunity which means she will no longer be able to trade at Hackney Downs Vegan Market.

Of course the food from The Sunny Spoon is spectacular, but it is the human behind the brand which is making us really feel the loss.

Clarisse has been more than just a friendly trader. She has worked tirelessly to make Hackney Downs Vegan Market a destination to which people want to return. The Sunny Spoon was one of the businesses to show up through the brutal winter months and Clarisse never stopped smiling.

Clarisse is not a person to rest on past glories. Her patisserie was already exquisite when I first met her but it is proof of Clarisse’s dedication to her profession that she never stopped working to take it all to the next level.

And as sad as I am to be saying goodbye, I know it is exactly these wonderful qualities that will take Clarisse onto even more rewarding and amazing adventures.

Thank you, Clarisse. You have been an important part of our market and you will be missed dearly.

Visit Hackney Downs Vegan Market this Saturday May 5, 2018 to say thank you and goodbye (for now) to Clarisse. Please follow The Sunny Spoon on Instagram to keep updated with her adventures.