vegan London

New vegan product by Baileys

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It has been a very long time coming, but the new Almande vegan drink by Baileys has arrived in the UK and is well worth the wait.

I was invited along to a product tasting session a few nights ago and was blown away by this drink. I think it is going to make a lot of vegans very happy in the UK.

I got chatting with the Baileys team at the event and threw down a challenge.

I said that I was so confident of my photo of their drink getting 1,000 likes on Instagram that I would bet on it.

If the post did get 1,000 likes, Baileys would have to send their team to Hackney Downs Vegan Market this Saturday (September 30, 2017) with bottles of Almande for free taste sampling.

Well, guess what.

The post got more than 1,000 likes in just under an hour!

You can get a free tasting of the new vegan Baileys Almande this Saturday at Hackney Downs Vegan Market. Get full market details here and RSVP to the Facebook event here.

A bet is a bet.

Almande is currently available to buy in Whole Foods Market stores around the UK. New retailers to be added soon.

Extra note: The tasting is for those 18+ and you might be asked for ID. Always drink responsibly.

BREAKING: Tofurky sandwiches launch in UK

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We have waited and waited for this day.

Finally, it is here.

Superstar vegan brand Tofurky is launching its ready-to-consume sandwiches in the UK next week!

You have probably noticed I’ve recently been bemoaning the state of grab-and-go sandwiches in this country but the tide is now turning.

Yes, sandwiches are everywhere you look but the options for vegans or those wanting to choose vegan now and again have been abysmal. One particular Instagram post of mine caused a LOT of discussion on the topic.

Thankfully, Tofurky has come to our rescue with four superior sandwiches being launched in the UK from October 2, 2017.

The four flavours set to launch are TLT (Tempeh, Lettuce and Tomato), Chipotle Chick’n, Ham-style Salad and Chick’n and Sweetcorn.

Tofurky founder Seth Tibbott told me via email this morning that everyone at the company is thrilled with not only the exceptional taste of the protein-loaded sandwiches, but also the look of the packaging.

To be fair, it is gorgeous.

Here are the four flavours lined up at a recent trade event.

I can’t decide which flavour is tempting me the most. I suppose you can’t say no to a classic like ham and salad. But the chicken and sweet corn!

Seriously, I would need one of each. The FOMO is too real.

All four sandwiches will be on the shelves of Whole Foods Market stores across London from October 2, 2017. A few weeks later this will expand to include all As Nature Intended stores plus other health retailers.

After this initial London launch is a success (I mean, as if they won’t fly out!), look for the sandwiches to start rolling out further afield and especially into large, mainstream food retailers.

Are you excited? Could you pick a favourite? Where would you like to see these Tofurky sandwiches sold?

Follow Tofurky on Instagram to keep track of more exciting developments. Thanks for saving us from sandwich mediocrity, Tofurky!

Sandwiches in London

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I’ve written about Queen Picnic in the past but thought it was time to share an update about this fabulous London-based sandwich producer.

Take a look at the current line up of packaged sandwiches Queen Picnic has now made available through West London vegan grocery store GreenBay.

The range includes chicken-style seitan with vegan mayo, spring onion and parsley, beef-style seitan with tomato, rocket and dijon mustard, vegan cheese with pickle, lettuce and tomato, deli-style turkey seitan with smoked ‘cheese’ and cranberry sauce, as well as smokey salmon-style carrot with vegan cream cheese, dill and red onion.

Queen Picnic want hungry vegans to know that their sandwich line will be popping up in more locations soon, but in the meantime you can all get along to GreenBay Supermarket.

Follow Queen Picnic on Instagram.

Fat Gay Vegan at VegfestUK London

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I’m happy to announce that I will be taking part in the annual VegfestUK London event happening on October 21 and 22, 2017.

I will be talking during two events:

Main talk in auditorium on Saturday – Fat Gay Vegan: Eat, Drink and Live Like You Give a Shit

Sean O’Callaghan (Fat Gay Vegan) previews his book ‘Fat Gay Vegan: Eat, Drink and Live Like You Give a Sh!t’, set to be published via Nourish in January 2017. Sean will discuss themes from the book including expanding compassion beyond the plate to include other social justice issues.

Activist Corner talk on Sunday – So you wanna start a local vegan market?

Join blogger, journalist and event planner Fat Gay Vegan as he hosts a Q&A session on the importance of setting up local, independent vegan markets. His popular Hackney Downs Vegan Market has just become a weekly happening and FGV wants you to start one in your area, too!

In addition to my talks, there will be a table selling exclusive advance copies of my new book Fat Gay Vegan: Eat, Drink and Live Like You Give a Shit. This early release is only for VegfestUK London. If you are unable to make it to the show but are still interested in grabbing a copy of my book, you can pre-order via Amazon ahead of the January release by Nourish Books.

Click here to find out more info about VegfestUK London and to buy advance tickets.

Hackney Down Vegan Market September 23

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Just dropping by (who am I kidding – I live here) to let you know about the line up for Hackney Downs Vegan Market as it celebrates becoming a weekly event on Saturday September 23, 2017.

Check out this fabulous line up:

  • Big V London – burgers from the edge of paradise that are changing the way London eats
  • Young Vegans – the finest vegan pies in London from the nicest people in the city
  • Vegan Delice – delectable treats from one of the best vegan baked goods businesses in the UK
  • Hell Yum! – outstanding vegan ice cream and ice cream cookie sandwiches
  • Club Mexicana – a special ONE DAY ONLY mach n cheese menu
  • The Cashew Family – some of the finest gourmet vegan cheese in the UK
  • Vega Mama – be prepared to be bowled over by warm jackfruit curry and take home tubs of vegan tuna!
  • Vogococo – irresistible raw chocolate and energy balls
  • The Cane Press – freshly squeezed sugar cane drink available with or without rum
  • Just Fab – the famous vegan Italian restaurant visits us with panelle, arancini and vegan tiramisu!

I can’t tell you how excited I am to launch weekly and even more so when I look over that list.

I mean, come on. Sugar cane juice and rum!

RSVP to the Facebook event here and invite all your friends.

Join FGV for a bubbly and cake party

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London. You are not just getting a few more vegan establishments opening lately.

You are being completely OVERRUN by some of the best vegan food outlets on the planet.

My friend Vanessa Almeida is opening her gorgeous vegan café in Shoreditch following on from years of running pop ups and residencies around the capital.

The lease is signed on the shop and I’m sitting inside right now as people paint furiously around me. It’s so thrilling to see Vanessa’s hard work and dedication to good vegan food finally paying off.

I’m working with Vanessa to raise some funds to ensure her Essential Vegan Café gets off to the best start possible. We are running a fundraising campaign to help pay for equipment costs, legal fees, paint, stock, furniture, and the countless expenses associated with opening a world class café in one of the most expensive cities on the planet.

If you think you have an idea of how expensive it is to open a business in London, I’d hazard a guess that your figure would be nowhere close to the reality.

I am trying to help Vanessa raise £30,000 to safeguard her business beyond opening. Most of the money is coming from Vanessa and her husband Neni, but they need a little bit of help from team vegan.

Essential Vegan Café is set in a stunning space just off Shoreditch High Street and it is the perfect location to showcase Vanessa’s Brazilian inspired menu that features seitan burgers, cheese bread and artisan coffee.

Of course there are a whole bunch of rewards on offer if you are able to support Vanessa’s campaign, but the one reward I’m most interested in telling you about today is the opening night party hosted by me!

If you donate £40 to the Essential Vegan Café fundraising campaign you can choose a ticket to the opening night party on Saturday September 30, 2017.

There are three separate sessions to join:

  • 6:00pm until 7:30pm
  • 7:30pm until 9:00pm
  • 9:00pm until 10:30pm

The ticket includes entry to the party where you will enjoy:

  • Free vegan bubbly to drink
  • A slice of cake (you get to choose from a selection!)
  • An Essential Vegan tote bag
  • Sneak preview of the café’s new menu before anyone else in London
  • 10% off your bill if you want to order food at the party

This is a very special event to help support a very special person. You will not meet anyone on the vegan scene who has worked as hard as Vanessa.

Join me for a party, eat some cake, drink some bubbles AND support an independent vegan business. It is going to be the MOST FUN.

Click here to see all of the rewards. If you can’t make the party launch, perhaps you will be tempted by some of the other rewards such as gourmet vegan cheese, private dining experiences and more.

Hackney Downs Vegan Market weekly

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You asked for it so we made it happen.

Hackney Downs Vegan Market is now a weekly event!

Fat Gay Vegan and EAT WORK ART are thrilled to announce the transformation of London’s best vegan street food market from a monthly event to a WEEKLY one.

There is no need to wait an agonising month to get your fill of delicious comfort food. Starting Saturday September 23rd, 2017 and going forward each and every Saturday, Hackney Downs Studios will be home to the finest collection of vegan traders in London.

Hackney Downs Vegan Market is the original and the best. It’s brought to you by a vegan in order to help vegan businesses. This is your weekly community market and entry is free.

Stay tuned for product giveaway news and updates taking place at the market.

Vegan waffles in London

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London, it’s your time to get Waffled.

Waffled tell me they are all about reinventing the waffle into a delicious savoury meal. That was enough to make me thrilled to book them for Hackney Downs Vegan Market this Saturday (September 16, 2017).

Who doesn’t love a good waffle?

Waffled products are mostly allergen free (they do contain contain tahini and garlic), 100% vegan and always gluten free.

The business serves 3 flavours of waffles which they turn into delicious dishes: 1) Falafel (chick peas + coriander) – they don’t deep fry the falafel, just waffle iron it 2) Buckwheat and rice flakes 3) Millet and oats (can also be made into a sweet option served with watermelon, banana barriers and organic maple syrup)

The waffles are complimented by 4 sauces/pastes guacamole made on the spot, aubergine-sweet pepper spicy sauce, home-made hummus, and beetroot-butter squash.

They also serve waffled vegan haloumi salad (made from drained tofu and marinated in a blend of spices making it taste like haloumi) garnished with pomegranate molasses and watermelon.

If you are excited about Waffled, give them a follow on Instagram and get along to Hackney Downs Vegan Market this Saturday.

Vegan pizza in Elephant

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I’ve been blogging lately about some of the vegan changes taking place at the shipping container complex known as The Artworks in Elephant & Castle.

There is Cupcakes & Shhht that has recently turned vegan, as well as an Ethiopian restaurant called Beza that has a vegan menu alongside its non-vegan menu.

To add to this vegan choice at The Artworks, I discovered today that the onsite pizza restaurant called Elephantastic Pizza has a whole bunch of vegan options for plant-based diners.

They even use Violife cheese for the vegan pizzas!

Check out my selection below and get along for good vegan eating in the Elephant soon.

Follower drives on Instagram

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One form of support I’ve been involved with as a blogger and social media person recently is Follower Drives.

I got the idea a few days ago when I was visiting a brand new vegan restaurant in Sitges, Spain. Spice Garden is the only 100% vegan restaurant in Sitges and I was a bit disappointed that the Instagram account for the restaurant had quite a small number of followers.

During my meal, I posted a series of photos on my own Instagram asking my followers to consider following the restaurant. I set a target of 500 followers and if you click through to the account now, you will see that we were able to zoom right past that number.

The restaurant started with 187 followers and now has over 1,300 in just a matter of days.

I applied the same campaign idea to raising the follower count for a brand new late night vegan bar in Barcelona called Bar de Retro. This time we took them from 99 followers to over 1,200 in a day!

My latest Follower Drive is for a London vegan shoe store and ethical boutique called The Third Estate.

This store is exquisite but their Instagram account had been languishing around the 700 follower mark for a while. I set a target of 2,000 followers and we are almost there within 24 hours. I think they need just about 200 more.

Please get involved and get over to their profile.

I hope you can join me for more Follower Drives in the future. I think it is a great way to give independent vegan businesses a boost and help raise their online profiles.