New online shopping collective

by

Here is some interesting news for vegan consumers.

The Eco Collective is a vegan and ethical online shop.

The owners describe it as kind of like Costco (where you pay to sign up and get wholesale prices for everything), however The Eco Collective is free to sign up and totally vegan.

They stock a huge range of products from groceries to household products and while they have larger brands, they concentrate on smaller independent companies.

They want it to be about vegans helping vegans.

The Eco Collective has a regular retail price for non-members and a discounted price for members, as well as monthly member specials.

You can order online for delivery anywhere in mainland UK. There is also an option to collect your order if you like near the warehouse in Christchurch, Dorset.

Click here to browse the hundreds of vegan items available and see what you think of the prices.

Inside Temple of Camden

by

A few days I gave you a sneak preview of what it looks like inside the soon-to-be-opened Temple of Camden, the second permanent location for food superstars Temple of Seitan.

If you missed that post, which also included some breaking news about their new Camden menu, you can click here to read it.

Today’s post is to share some more shots of the Temple of Camden interior (and exterior) to help get you excited ahead of their grand opening on January 31, 2018.

Check it out below!

You can follow Temple of Seitan on Instagram to stay updated on all the latest news.

One night only musical event

by

It’s not all cupcakes and beer around these parts.

I’m breaking with regular blogging to share some non-vegan news with you.

I’m sad to not be seeing Loserville the Musical for its one-off return this weekend.

It was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever seen on stage. When I saw it a few years ago, I was so taken by the musical I saw it twice.

All my love and support to the cast and crew as they return for just one night on January 28, 2018 to raise funds for charities supporting young people dealing with thoughts of suicide and young performers in low-socioeconomic situations.

If you are in London, please consider grabbing a ticket for this weekend to help raise funds for these charities and pay tribute to Chris Hardman, one of the original cast members of this musical. Chris ended his own life in 2015 after living with depression.

Buy tickets by clicking here.

The Vegan Kind box featuring FGV

by

If you are unfamiliar with it, I’m here to tell you that The Vegan Kind is a vegan subscription box that you can have sent to your home or workplace every month.

The January 2018 box has been a huge success and when you look at the contents, it’s not difficult to understand why.

The box this month is crammed solid with gorgeous vegan snacks AND a copy of my first-ever book, Fat Gay Vegan: Eat, Drink, And Live Like You Give A Sh!t.

The box is absolutely overflowing with goodies, so it’s no surprise that this is one of the most popular boxes in the history of The Vegan Kind. It has almost completely sold out.

If you are fast, you can subscribe to the monthly box plan from The Vegan Kind and get this marvellous January box (including my book and a can of squirty cream!).

But you will have to be super fast. Karris from The Vegan Kind told me she expects this box to be completely sold out in a matter of days.

Click here to subscribe to the monthly box and explore the other boxes and products being sold by The Vegan Kind. Sign up and choose to start your subscription immediately to ensure you get this January box.

You can follow The Vegan Kind on Instagram.

If you would like to buy my book separately for yourself or as a gift for someone, you can order online from Amazon, pick up in store from Foyles, or get a discount when ordering online from WH Smith if you use code FGV18.

Vegan cheese goes London wide

by

If you went to VegfestUK London in late 2017, you will know that one vegan cheese company in particular caused a lot of excitement.

New Roots absolutely blew everyone away with their stunning line up of vegan cheeses, including the spectacular camembert.

This cheese caused such a stir, it sold out in a matter of hours.

If you are anything like me, you’ve probably been dreaming of the time when this cheese would become more widely available.

Well, wake up and stop dreaming. New Roots is in London big time.

The Swiss cheese makers have just secured a London distribution deal with Marigold and are busy securing retail stockists. First stop? You can now buy their gorgeous vegan products at GreenBay Supermarket in Fulham.

Other retailers include:

More retailers are being added so keep updated by following New Roots on Instagram.

You can also ask your local independent health food retailer to stock New Roots. Let them know you want these products on their shelves and tell them the brand can be ordered via Marigold distribution.

Vegan slipper making workshop

by

How about a Vegan Slipper Making Workshop, London?

Get along to The Canvas Café on Sunday February 4, 2018 between midday and 2pm for a slipper making class with Juta Shoes.

Handcraft your own espadrille slippers using reclaimed vegan materials and sustainable jute soles… and you might as well eat delicious food from the now 100% vegan café!

What you’ll do:

  • Choose from stock of reclaimed and upcycled vegan materials
  • Learn to shape and pin your shoe to the sole
  • Handstitch the upper to the sole with waxed linen thread

What’s included:

Experienced makers offer expert instruction and support, and everyone walks out in their own pair of slides. All materials are provided and no experience necessary. The vegan material is reclaimed from donated coats and bags, and Juta will bring a range of colours and textures for you to choose from. They use premium jute soles sourced from southern Spain, which are thick, robust, and comfortable.

 

Click here to book your workshop ticket.

BREAKING NEWS: inside the new Temple of Seitan

by

London.

Here is the news you want.

After a year of enjoying runaway success at their Hackney location, vegan food superstars Temple of Seitan have announced the address and opening date for their second permanent location.

Temple of Camden is set to throw open its doors on Wednesday January 31, 2018 at 103A Camley Street N1C 4PF.

The images on this page give a tiny sneak preview of what the inside of the new Temple will look like and it looks fab.

Click here to see the exact location on Google Maps. The new shop is between a 10 and 15 minute walk from Camden Town, Mornington Crescent, and Kings Cross Underground stations.

So, we now know that the opening date is Wednesday January, 31, 2018 and the address is 103A Camley Street N1C 4PF… but what about the menu?!

I asked Rebecca, owner and legendary hero of Temple of Seitan, what she will be serving at Temple of Camden and here is what she disclosed:

It will be the same menu as Hackney plus the Hot Chicken Burger, the Cheeseburger menu, 50/50 chips, and popcorn snack packs. We will also have a deli section with coffee, bagels, toasted sandwiches, and sweet bakery treats!

OK. Are you pumped for this, London?!

Temple of Camden is about to take you to the next level of vegan enjoyment.

You should follow Temple of Seitan on Instagram to keep updated with all the latest news and glorious food photos.

Also, don’t forget that you can see Temple of Seitan at Hackney Downs Vegan Market this Saturday serving up loaded mac n cheese. Full market details here.

Arancini Brothers to stay vegan

by

A few weeks ago, I shared news about London fast food chain Arancini Brothers turning their Old Street location into a 100% vegan eatery.

Since January 2, 2018 the outlet has served thousands of vegan and vegan-curious customers (as well as some meat eaters who just want outstanding food) who have raved about the extensive and delicious vegan menu.

As it is halfway through their vegan month, I dropped in on owner Dave Arkin to find out how it has been for the business and what the future holds.

How has the vegan month been for Arancini Brothers Old Street?

The support we’ve had from our regular customers and the vegan community has made the first few weeks the most incredible and satisfying experiences since selling our first risotto ball almost 9 years ago.

Have you been surprised by the interest and support of vegans?

More delighted than surprised. I have to say a big thank you to all the support we’ve had from you (that’s me, FGV!) and the vegan community. You have all made our vegan switch at Old Street possible.

Any news on the future?

After just two weeks of running our Old Street location as a fully vegan business, we’ve decided to keep the location vegan for good. It will always be a fully vegan place to eat and I couldn’t be happier with the decision.

How incredible is this news?!

Arancini Brothers Old Street is now a 100% vegan food outlet, 100% of the time. Forever.

I would like to extend my personal gratitude to Dave and his team for taking this leap of faith. The impact this will have in their part of London, across the UK, and further around the world is impossible to calculate but people are taking notice.

This is monumental.

Dave is showing you can do a good thing and still run a business. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

You can follow Arancini Brothers on Instagram and click here to see the post I did about their huge vegan menu at Old Street (including photos!).

If you want to see the exact location of Arancini Brothers Old Street, you can thanks to Google Maps. Remember that the outlet is open between Monday and Friday between 9:30am and 4:00pm.

Vegan store near Wolverhampton

by

You know how I am always going on about supporting independent vegan stores?

Well, here is an insight into one such business and I think it gives you a great feel for the love, dedication and commitment independent business people put into vegan grocery stores.

Scott from Friendly Foods just outside Wolverhampton dropped into my inbox to share the following info about the business he runs with Sara.

Listen up:

The store opened in July 2016, initially just at weekends as Sara was still working full time in her job (25 years in the NHS) as a Clinical Psychologist. The intention was to move full-time which duly happened in September ’16. The origins of the store have various inspirations. Sara and Scott went vegan in the late 80s as students and animal rights activists. Kids, work, hassles duly arrived and our veganism lapsed back to vegetarian. We have 3 opinionated kids (Becca – 22, Gregor – 18 and Issy – 16). All made their own decisions to go vegan as teenagers and we were both back in the fold inspired by their example. The idea for opening a store was cemented by a combination of our visits to the annual vegan fest that is the West Midlands Vegan Festival (in Wolves) and Sara just being sick and fed up of Tory induced madness in the health services she managed. Opening the store was all a bit off the cuff but just felt so right and we were lucky to be in a position to give it a go.

Their story continues:

The store is located about 5 miles from the centre of Wolverhampton on the A454 which is the main road between Wolverhampton and Bridgnorth. The store is on a retail park site called “The Garden Village” next to one of the 3 garden centres on the A454 with plentiful free car parking and a local (number 9) bus service. The idea simply is to be a one stop shop for people to find vegan groceries and the growth since September ’16 has been a delightful surprise. The simple ethos is to be a welcoming space for anyone – be they vegan, vegan curious or transitioning – and to make it easier for them to follow a compassionate lifestyle. More of a sanctuary than a shop.

How about moving forward for Friendly Foods?

We are now in bigger unit (since November ’16) and things are going so well we are now even starting to outgrow this larger unit. The range of stock continues to grow week by week and we stock a wide range of the popular vegan brands (Sgaia Mheats, Love Seitan, Wheaty, Vegusto, Bute Island, Violife, Oatly, Ombar, Vego, Anandas, Eat Real, Ten Acre etc etc), the mega One Planet Pizza and vegan essentials like Vital Wheat Gluten, Nutloaf mixes, nuts, pulses, beans, yeast flakes and jackfruit. We also make a point of stocking the more difficult to find artisan vegan products like Tyne Chease, Naturally Vegan Food Company cheezes, Cool Jerk Vegan Pies, Left Field Kombucha, Little Vegan Cookie as well as locally sourced products (like Butterbelle nut butters).

How about opening hours?

The store is open 6 days a week. Wednesday is the only day we are closed. Running the store is a real family effort. Becca helps a bit on social media and Sara’s mum and step dad (Susu and Mikey who are now vegan converts!) are the friendly faces serving in the shop on Sun, Mon and Tues. The other days are covered by Sara and Scott.

You can follow Friendly Foods on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Visit their website here.