I can’t keep up with the vegan news.
Facebook users got a wonderful surprise this morning when Plymouth restaurant Samphire Brasserie posted this picture to their profile.
vegan
Do over
I’ve not enjoyed my few attempts at dining with vegetarian Italian restaurant Amico Bio.
On several occasions, we have been served dairy cheese even after we had explicitly asked for the dishes to be served vegan. If you are vegan or have ever met a vegan, you know we like to check this sort of thing when ordering.
I found myself in the proximity of the Amico Bio location near the Barbican Centre last week. I was in that part of town to watch a group of famous and accomplished Mexican musicians perform a concert of Morrissey and Smiths cover songs (yes, it was as fabulous as it sounds) and needed a quick dinner before the show.
Was I impressed with Amico Bio on this occasion? Check out my thoughts on the meal below.
Vegan Doncaster
Compassionate people of the North. You have a vegan outlet in Doncaster.
Get to it!
Just this morning I received a message from Anne via Facebook. Anne is the owner of a brand new vegan cafe in Doncaster called A Bite 2 Eat and she was hoping I could let you all know about it.
So, here we are!
You can like the cafe on Facebook and keep track of the menu as it evolves. It already includes burgers, chips, cake and mouthwatering pancakes like the ones pictured above.
Support A Bite 2 Eat. It is only just over a week old and is the ONLY vegan food outlet in Doncaster.
Extra note: When I asked Anne if A Bite 2 Eat is 100% vegan she replied, “It is 100% vegan no compromise.”
Amazing!
Juice Baby Chelsea
You wanna see something that I absolutely adored eating? I don’t mean it was just OK or it was kind of alright, I mean this thing was fabulous and I want to eat it all the time.
Want to see?
Vote for vegans
Vegan food and compassionate eating. You can’t escape it in the UK. From huge festivals to tiny pop-up dining experiences, plant-based awareness is skyrocketing.
So let’s get veganism some more attention!
The 12th Annual Observer Food Monthly Awards are now open for voting.
There are categories just screaming out for us to pop in the name of our favourite vegan food creators, photographers and writers.
I’ve included some of the categories I feel suit our vegan concern, plus some suggestions for each category. Of course I hope you have your own ideas, too.
- Best cheap eats – Mr. Falafel Shepherd’s Bush, Loving Hut Archway, Painted Elephant Newcastle
- Best Sunday lunch – Black Cat Café Hackney, Fortify Café Maidstone
- Best food personality – ahem…. Fat Gay Vegan!
- Best place to drink – Vegbar Brixton, tibits Mayfair, Kabaret @ Karamel Wood Green, Stereo Glasgow
- Best independent retailer – Vx King’s Cross, Ms. Cupcake Brixton, Unicorn Grocery Manchester
- Best food blog – another ahem… Fat Gay Vegan
Click here to vote in the awards now.
Let’s get veganism even more on the map than it is already!
Runaway success
The first ever Rock ‘n’ Roll Vegan Brunch was a rollicking runaway success yesterday.
Music was played. Beer was guzzled. Food was devoured.
A million thanks to Dave and the team at Vegbar for helping me bring this wonderful event to life. Chef Christian deserves a standing ovation for his mouthwatering soul food plate. Several guests declared it the best brunch they have ever eaten in London.
Check out this pic my buddy Jhenn posted on Instagram.
The biscuits and gravy were a smash hit. Every single attendee raved about them.
Much love and appreciation to Clarkshaws for coming along to set up a beer sampling station, especially as they have a big party to plan for in the near future. Their vegan beers were adored by everyone who got a chance to try them and I’m happy they are now permanently available at Vegbar.
What a wonderful event.
If you missed out this weekend, don’t stress. Rock ‘n’ Roll Vegan Brunch is now a full time concern for hungry Londoners. It takes place every single Saturday between 10am and 3pm.
Come along!
Chocolate recall
Hotel Chocolat in the UK have actioned a recall of their ‘milk free milk’ products. Here is the main statement from the company as posted on their website:
Clarification on the dietary status of ‘Milk Free Milk’
We are very sorry that we haven’t made it clear enough who can eat our Milk-Free Milk and who can’t. We did take advice (including labelling advice from Trading Standards) before we launched it, but the fact that some misunderstanding exists shows us that we were not clear enough. Please have a look at our comprehensive Q&A. Thanks to dietary groups who have made contact and offered advice, which we are using.
The full Q&A statement about the recall can be seen here.
It is that old argument about calling something dairy free when there is a small possibility of trace elements of milk proteins due to dairy being used in the same factory.
Of course this could be problematic for people with allergies, but Hotel Chocolat want vegans to know there are no dairy ingredients added to this milk free range.
How do you feel about the ‘may contain traces’ labelling? Does it stop you from buying a product?
Tesco vegan label
This impressed me. Not the products themselves, rather the label.
A recent trip to Tesco was interrupted by a sighting of the word ‘vegan’ shouting at me from behind a closed freezer door. It appears not only are Tesco product developers smartening up to the demand for plant-based foods, they have also realised the ‘v’ word is a desirable thing to place front and centre of a packet.
Brighton weekender
If you have been living under a rock, I have two things to say to you:
1. What’s it like under there? I’ve always imagined it to be very snug.
2. VegfestUK Brighton is happening this weekend!
VegfestUK is mammoth and legendary. Attendees this year are set to enjoy more than 150 stands showcasing vegan food, products, activist groups, charities and more. Vegan comedians are going to attempt to make the crowd laugh and there will be plenty of vegan beer and cider doing the rounds.
I think there might be just a few of the 10 000 or so tickets remaining, so be very quick and book now.
Of course I didn’t want to be left out of proceedings, so I am setting up a very low key DIY postcard shop at stall Q16 on the ground floor. Please drop in to buy a few cards, pick up my event flyers, sign up to my email list and have a chat.
I will also be hosting a fabulous LGBT Social on Sunday at 1pm as part of Vegfest celebrations. Click here to read more.
And…. there is more.
I am a judge on the new product showcase. I get to be all judgemental! Click here to read about it.
See you soon, Brighton!
