Josh has climbed on board the blogging train tonight to tell us all about his recent vegan food adventure inside the UK version of international chain restaurant Wagamama.
Take it away, Josh.
UK
Tear down the arches
Why are McDonald’s restaurants closing all over the UK?
I was walking along the high street of my new neighbourhood when I noticed a shop front that looked to be recently vacated. Staring carefully at the place where the business sign used to be, I could make out the outline of the word McDonald’s.
How fantastic! Any McDonald’s closure is a good thing for animals. This particular branch had minced up and sold dead animals for more than 30 years and now it was gone. But why are these stores closing and does it even mean people are eating more compassionately?
Wanna chat?
I get emails every day from people wanting information about where to eat/shop/visit and as much as I love to help, there is only one FGV to go around.
So I hatched a plan.
I decided to create a space on my blog where anyone could register and share information about their favourite vegan topics. I wanted to make it possible for visitors to my blog to have as much useful information as possible at their fingertips.
That’s why you can now be a part of FGV Forum.
The FGV Forum has areas for users to share info on topics such as:
- best places to eat around the UK, Europe and the world
- vegan deals in UK supermarkets
- vegan alcohol brands
- recipes
- demonstrations and petitions
In addition, there is a place for users to introduce themselves and chat about any topics related to veganism.
The FGV Forum is brand new and will probably experience a few teething problems. For instance, Hotmail email addresses are experiencing sign up difficulties but this problem is being worked on.
I would be delighted if you could assist me in making it an important hub for new and longtime vegans alike. The more information we all post, the more valuable the forum becomes.
Head on over to the FGV Forum now and get posting!
Hot beef sandwich
This is a super quick post to tell you about a wheat meat I am adoring.
Quorn doing vegan
MAJOR vegan update for Quorn – available in UK from October 2015 – click here to read more
I find out a lot of information over on Facebook.
Last week Robb posted about Rekorderlig cider not being vegan which led to this post. Wayne is always sharing with me news of vegan food, including the glorious sandwich market stall Killer Tomato. Today I woke to a post on my wall from Sammy all about a tasting session for new vegan Quorn products. That’s right, Quorn are finally rolling out some plant-based options in the UK.
There has been talk for a while of a vegan burger made by the company, but enquiries were always met with a response of ‘no plans as of now to sell it in the UK’.
If you can be in Southampton on Saturday June 21, 2014 and you want to be one of the first people in the UK to try new vegan options from Quorn, it seems you could possibly even be paid for your opinions.
Follow this link to read all about it on the Rice Up Wholefoods website. The link includes details on how to register for the tasting.
If you do go, please pop on over to my Facebook page after the event and tell me all about it. I am so curious!
UPDATE – since posting the above info, I have received a few comments from people suggesting I should not give any exposure to Quorn or it’s parent company Premier Foods. Premier Foods is a huge business that also owns the Cauldron brand (amongst many, many more). It reportedly generated over £800 million revenue last year.
Please comment below with any concerns you have about the ethical concerns associated with buying from such a huge company/a company that makes huge amounts of profit from selling animal products.
ANOTHER UPDATE – As pointed out by a passionate commentator below, Quorn is no longer owned by Premier Foods. It was acquired by Montagu Private Equity. You can view the portfolio of this organisation by clicking here.
Best vegan cake in Europe
I have been racking my feeble brain for a witty or whimsical way in which to announce this epic news, but I have been reduced to a quivering mess and can no longer think. I’m going to just have to come straight out and say the facts.
The best vegan cakes and desserts in the whole of Europe are now available in London.
If you have been loitering around these parts of the Internet for a few years, you should be able to recall this mammoth post I wrote about irresistible vegan cakes in Barcelona created by the magical company known as Lujuria Vegana.
Their cakes are absolutely peerless in Europe. I am a super fan.
Imagine then my sheer delight/shock/convulsions of hysteria when I was confronted by masses of Lujuria Vegana desserts sitting in the chilled fridges of the brand new Whole Foods Market location in Fulham. I almost fell over.
The range in Whole Foods is staggering in size. You can see by the photos below that I was completely unable to control myself and bought many varieties. I was overcome by a cake buying frenzy.
As far as I can tell, this particular Whole Foods Market is the ONLY place in the UK selling these gluten free and vegan desserts. I had heard whispers of them making inroads over here but this is the first time I have seen them on a store shelf.
Check out my photos (yes, I bought ALL cakes featured). Get to Fulham. Buy many cakes. Be happy.
Follow Lujuria Vegana on Twitter.
Newcastle goes vegan
It seems you can’t go anywhere in the UK without tripping over a vegan festival. Plant-based get togethers are multiplying at a rapid pace and a northern city has joined the trend.
Get ready for the Newcastle Upon Tyne Vegan Festival this July.
This event is the brainchild of a full time student and vegan catering business operator named Louise. Louise has decided to spend the minuscule amount of spare time she has to create a fun and educational day-long event in the northern city.
The Newcastle Vegan Festival is set for July 26th, 2014 in a large hall located a short walk from the central train station. More than 100 stalls are expected and will include food, films, local food producers, ethical clothing and many more services and goods from the world of veganism.
Entry will be a lowly £2 for adults and £1 for children with profits from ticket sales being donated to charity.
If you live in the area, make sure you get on in to the Newcastle Upon Tyne Vegan Festival for food, fun and information. If you live elsewhere, this is surely a perfect opportunity to visit the city.
Vegans in the valley
I am a big believer in communities self-directing and supporting each other in order to enact change. That is why I am thrilled to hear about this community-driven support group in the Calder Valley that is creating a support network for local people looking to make more compassionate choices in their lives.
The success of these sorts of groups usually sits with how engaged members feel and I can see by the line up of events 3 Valley Veg*ns has planned, engagement is not going to be an issue.
The group has an impressive calendar of events outlined for the near and distant future including market information stall, social walks, picnics, a summer barbecue and even a vegan cake baking class.
This is an important way change takes place and sticks. Compassionate people supporting each other and organising/socialising at a grassroots level creates a safe space to explore vegan living. It is a vital step in improving outcomes for non-human animals. Community and kinship matter.
I urge you to get involved with 3 Valley Veg*ns if you are anywhere near the Calder Valley and if you are further afield, take a leaf from their book and create your own compassionate community movement.
Follow 3 Valley Veg*ns on Twitter
On demand
I used to think I knew what my favourite pastime was… and then I got an email from vegan sweet food producer Scoff asking if I would like to sample their creations. Now my favourite pastime is eating Scoff treats.
Based in Brixton, this new vegan sweet treats provider is changing the game for cruelty-free eating in the UK forever. Their truffles and fudge are decadent, delicious and irresistible. I haven’t often experienced melt in your mouth moments, but the Scoff vanilla fudge took me to that place instantly.
The company does sell at local markets (check the website for locations), but the real thrill is their mailing service. Why leave the comfort of your house when you can have dark chocolate and Amaretto truffles delivered straight to your door? No need to get wet and cold by exposing yourself to the elements. Scoff will post bags of creamy ginger fudge directly to you.
Almost as nice as the food is the care and attention given to making the food look lovely. The fudge bags feature the super cute Scoff logo while the smart truffle boxes are held closed by ribbons. Obviously perfect for gift giving.
Did you hear I like getting gifts? 😉
Scoff is the future. Order online now!
Follow Scoff on Twitter
Like Scoff on Facebook
Spread ’em
Here is a super quick vegan product update for you.
I have just discovered Marks and Spencer sell their own brand of vegan margarine. It is terrific to see the spread (I’m so funny!) of vegan versions of everyday grocery items. More and more high street retailers and large supermarket chains are getting in on the act of making sure they have plant-based versions of high demand items.
Has anyone tried the new M&S spread? What do you think?
