vegan London

Top nine Instagram posts of 2019

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It’s the end of 2019 so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and highlight the most liked posts from my Instagram post from across the year.

Here is an overview of the nine most liked of the year.

Let’s break it down into individual posts.

Here are the top nine posts from my Instagram account for 2019, with the most popular at the bottom.

Enjoy… and please follow me on Instagram if you don’t already.

The ninth most popular post was a photo of me accompanied by a plea for people to not buy or breed dogs. It resonated with a lot of people and is a message for the ages!

There was a HUGE response for this photo of my Follow Your Heart pin. I never expected this to be on the end of year list, let alone come in at number eight.

This is the first of two photos of London vegan cheese shop La Fauxmagerie to make my top nine Instagram list for 2019. Having two entries is proof of how excited vegans were about this shop opening.

Vegan food in airports can be a bit uninspired so this photo of my breakfast at Wagamama at Heathrow got a lot of likes. It was a tasty treat to enjoy before a long haul flight.

I shared this message from Chapter One coffee shop in Edinburgh and it was popular enough to land at number five on my top nine list for the year. People loved reading news of this popular café switching to become a totally vegan business.

I am surprised this post took off like it did because it is kinda an ugly photo! The Wicked range in Tesco is one of the most successful product launches I have ever seen and this photo being in my top nine is evidence that people can’t get enough.

This post is not a happy read and contains a few upsetting memories of bad times from throughout my life. People who follow me on Instagram were kind and supportive, making this the third most popular post of mine for 2019.

Warning: it is a very upsetting read so do proceed with caution.

LOTS of people responded positively to this photo I took in Heathrow airport. It is exciting to see so many mainstream business be so open about their vegan options.

La Fauxmagerie took the number one slot on my Instagram account for 2019. News of this vegan cheese shop opening in London broke the Internet and more than 4,500 people liked this photo.

Much love to everyone who has helped make my blog and social media accounts viable for another year.

All of this is done to help promote veganism and independent vegan businesses. I want people to go vegan and stay vegan to help improve outcomes for animals.

Vegan Ethiopian food in South London

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Do you all remember that Ethiopian restaurant located at Art Works shipping container village at Elephant and Castle?

It used to have a lot of vegan options and the owner was super passionate about the food.

Well, guess what? It isn’t there anymore.

But also guess what?!

Beza has moved to another location in Elephant and Castle and has turned 100% vegan. Yay!

Both the food and interior of the restaurant look sensational.

Beza describes the restaurant as an “Ethiopian restaurant in London that specialises in traditional Ethiopian vegan food.”

Their menu is alive with truly delicious and nutritious seasonal food, all served in a beautiful setting. Everything on the menu is 100% vegan. The restaurant is proud to serve the local community with inspiring exotic dishes.

Eat with them ASAP and then often.

You can follow Beza on Instagram and Facebook.

See the exact location of the restaurant thanks to Google Maps.

Vegan Christmas pizza in London

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Vegan pizza is everywhere.

I’m in no way saying that is a bad thing, I’m just commenting on how it seems to be popping up everywhere in London.

One of the most-loved vegan pizza joints in the UK capital is Good Belly which is located inside The Railway Tavern just a few steps from Dalston Kingsland Overground station.

The pizzas at Good Belly get rave reviews from those in the know, so I can only imagine how delicious these two Christmas-themed specials will taste.

The first seasonal special I want to tell you about is their Christmas Day Pizza. It is constructed from a cranberry & merlot tomato base, mushrooms, red onion, stuffing crumbs, bacon bits, parsnip puree, and shredded sprouts.

That is one dreamy Christmas pizza!

Another special they have is their flaky (and delicious) Santa’s Sausage Roll. Good Belly assure me it is one of the best sausage rolls on the planet.

Check it out.

Both of these specials from Good Belly will be on their menu until December 22, 2019 so hop along rapidly if you want some seasonal treats.

You can see the full regular menu from Good Belly online here, follow the restaurant on Instagram, and check out the exact location of The Railway Tavern thanks to Google Maps.

Vegan cream tea in West London

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I know a lot of people love an old-fashioned cream tea but finding a vegan version in London can be tough.

There is good news out of West London, however.

The Stables café located at Osterley House is now serving vegan cream tea!

Maybe you are scratching your head at the mention of cream tea.

What is it?

Cream tea is a variation of afternoon tea and is traditionally served with scones, clotted cream, and jam. The idea of cream tea is usually attributed to the tea rooms of Devon and Cornwall.

The Stables Café is located inside Osterley Park & House in Isleworth, West London. The café is open between 10am and 5pm, 7-days a week.

You can see the exact location of the café thanks to Google Maps.

Fat Gay Vegan won an award

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This is a super quick blog post to let you in on some good news.

Viva! Campaigns is of course a tremendously successful and loved animal protection and lobbying group that has been busy promoting veganism for many years.

How many years? The group just celebrated its 25th anniversary!

As part of their quarter of a century celebrations, Viva! has handed out a bunch of awards for people, groups, and businesses that they believe have done a great job in improving outcomes for animals.

And I was awarded one!

After almost a decade of running this blog and all the associated social media accounts, it is a real thrill to be appreciated in this way by a group that I respect so deeply.

Massive love and thanks goes to the entire Viva! team for everything they do to make the world a better place.

And thank you from the bottom of my chubby gay heart for this recognition. It is a wonderful feeling.

You can see all of the Viva! award winners online here.

New fresh vegan milk trader for London

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London. It is time to get milky.

Nut Milks is a new company bringing fresh dairy alternative milks to your doorstep.

The company is committed to supplying a low carbon footprint alternative to cow milk, therefore they only deliver within the London area. I absolutely LOVE this approach to their business.

The vegan milks are made in London and sold in London!

The milks are made freshly and locally. They contain no additives therefore last only five days. These products are old school!

Nut Milks flavours include:

  • Pistachio Milk
  • Chocolate Hazelnut
  • Hazelnut Milk
  • Almond Milk
  • Cashew Milk

Nut Milks currently have a stall at Borough Market but they are mostly an online business.

You can visit their webshop to browse all milk products and place an order for London-only delivery.

You can also follow Nut Milks on Instagram.

French vegan patisserie masterclass in London

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London, here is your opportunity to take part in a super fancy and super exclusive masterclass led by one of the leading vegan patisserie chefs on the planet.

I’ll show you how to make exquisite plant-based versions of festive French patisserie classics that will wow your guests during the festive season. – Clarisse Flon (specialist vegan patisserie chef, food consultant and photographer)

Grab a ticket and get along to the Made in Hackney kitchen on Saturday December 12, 2019 between 10am and 5:30pm for this rare learning (and eating!) opportunity.

This Masterclass is part of the Made in Hackney ‘VIP Series’, working with experts who are renowned in their field.

The class will include:

  • How to make a show-stopping Pear and Chocolate Genoise Yule log
  • Make an exquisite chocolate cream patissiere and chocolate buttercream
  • Learn to make gorgeous iced sablé Christmas biscuits
  • Rolling and setting techniques
  • Piping skills
  • How to make stunning chocolate décor and caramel shard decorations
  • Learn how to enhance flavours, and how to pair textures and tastes
  • A delicious organic plant based lunch, and take home recipe pack
  • 15% discount in neighbouring wholefoods shop, Food for All

Clarisse Flon is a specialist vegan patisserie chef trained in classic French patisserie. Clarisse has worked in many fine dining establishments around the world while developing plant based versions of her traditional recipes.

She launched The Sunny Spoon in 2013 (a French vegan patisserie bakery featured many times at Hackney Downs Vegan Market) and helped launch Cafe Forty One, a vegan restaurant in La Suite West hotel in Notting Hill. Clarisse now works as a food consultant and photographer, developing vegan options and recipes for businesses.

Fee: £160 (£118 Concession) includes delicious tastings and a recipe pack.

This fee is used to fund the Made in Hackney 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.

Click here to read more and book a ticket.

Fundraiser dinner with Animal Equality in London

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Hey London!

You can join Animal Equality at their Festive Fundraiser on Tuesday December 3, 2019 for an evening that promises to be packed full of merriment.

Entertainment at the Central London event (near Farringdon) will feature the always inspiring Christopher Sebastian and the hilarious Carl Donnelly. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to see them in action, then you definitely don’t want to miss this event.

You’ll also hear about the incredible work that Animal Equality has been able to carry out this year thanks to the generosity of their wonderful supporters, as well as enjoy a delicious plant-based, three-course meal and help the charity raise funds through a raffle.

The ticket price also includes a welcome drink and wine with the meal.

Entertainment

Speaker – Christopher Sebastian

Christopher Sebastian is the director of social media for Peace Advocacy Network, he sits on the Advisory Council for Encompass, he is senior editor at Vine Sanctuary Press, he is co-founder of VGN, and he lectures at Columbia University in the Department of Social Work for the graduate course POP: Power, Oppression, and Privilege. He primarily focuses on animal violence and how it influences anti-black racism, queer antagonism and class discrimination throughout the global west.

Comedy – Carl Donnelly

Carl has been nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award twice and has appeared on various TV shows including Mock the Week and Russell Howard’s Good News. He is a regular on the international comedy circuit, performing at pretty much every comedy festival there is!

Animal Equality look forward to seeing you next week. Click here to book tickets.

Extra note: The event space is accessible and Signing can be arranged on request.

Fried chicken restaurants in London launch vegan items

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Fried chicken chain Chick ’n’ Sours has launched a range of plant-based sandwiches and sides.

The restaurant chain wanted to recreate their K Pop Sandwich in plant-based form and have included all the same flavours in a vegan version. The protein they’re using is seitan.

To emulate the flavours of their K – Pop sandwich, they built up a sandwich on their original bun (which is vegan already) with a vegan Gochujang mayo, the seitan patty (coated in a crunchy coating), chilli vinegar, and a reworked ‘slaw dressing’ to replicate the flavours but without the fish sauce. They top the burger with vegan Sriracha mayo.

The menu also includes plant-based nuggets called No Way Nuggs. These are a different protein using pea and soy that is coated in breadcrumbs. They coating the nuggets in a vegan ginger miso mayo and sprinkle with spring onions, pickled ginger, and sesame.

They can now offer a completely vegan meal on the new menu and have re-engineered versions of their famous sides to make this happen. This set menu includes House Pickles, No Way K-Pop, No Way Ginger Miso Nuggs, Bang Bang Cucumbers, Pickled Watermelon Salad, Fries (without dripping), and plant based Gochujang mayo and vegan Sriracha mayo.

Chick ’n’ Sours now has four branches across London: Haggerston, Seven Dials, Islington and Spitalfields.

You can visit their website and follow them on Instagram.

Please note that Chick ‘n’ Sours is a restaurant that also serves meat and dairy. Their website and social media reflect that fact. If you are looking for a fried chicken experience that is completely vegan, you can dine with Temple of Seitan in Hackney and Camden.

Vegan panettone in Selfridges UK

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Growing up as an uncultured and unworldly person in Australia, I didn’t know much about fancy foods or even foods that a lot of people consider common.

Heck. I didn’t even try hummus until I moved to the UK in 1998. Can you believe it? That shows how out of touch I was with international and diverse tastes.

Now, of course, I’m running all over the globe and eating all sorts of food.

I even know what panettone is!

And in fab news that I think of lot of people will adore, Selfridges food hall is now selling a spiced pumpkin vegan panettone just in time for the festive season.

I saw this delight at the Selfridges food hall on Oxford Street in London.

If you aren’t able to get into this store, Selfridges is also selling the festive panettone online.

Click here to see it online.