vegan UK

Ten things to eat in London

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I haven’t done a little wrap up post like this for a while, so I wanted to jump on the blog quickly and give you an overview.

My inbox is swarming with correspondence from people wanting to know what is ‘must eat’ food if they only have a few days in London.

This following collection isn’t meant to act as a definitive list, rather it highlights ten things I highly recommend when you are next in London. The list is in no particular order.

Check it out and let me know if I have left any of your favourites of my list.

Number 10.

Get along to Temple of Seitan for their fried vegan chicken. They have two locations where you can pick up this world famous food.


Number 9.

Arancini Bothers is a chain that recently transformed into a 100% vegan business and you have got to get to one of their locations for their risotto balls. Too good.

 


Number 8.

Young Vegans know pies like nobody else and their Camden Market eatery is heaven. The mashed potato and gravy sides elevate an already incredible eating experience to another level. I highly recommend  the Seitan and Ale pie.

 


Number 7.

The seitan burger at Wulf & Lamb is one of the finest things to eat in London. Their special blend seitan is the closest to ground beef in the city and it is TASTY.

 

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Number 6.

I’m always singing the praises of CookDaily but it is worth repeating. Get the Full English bowl and have your life changed for the better.

 

Number 5.

If you aren’t familiar with Cookies and Scream, I’m sorry to say but you are not living your happiest life. Get a shake with added cookie dough balls.

 

Number 4.

Vanessa at Essential Vegan is a food superstar and her take on vegan Brazilian cuisine is a MUST-EAT when in London. Get the cheese balls. Eat them while hot. Leave happy.

 

Number 3.

One of the best things to eat on the planet is the doner chip box from What The Pitta. I simply CANNOT walk past their Shoreditch location without ordering this item.

 

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Number 2.

Dough Society is the first vegan donut and coffee shop in London. The Homer donut is one of their regular offerings and it is one of my favourite sweet treats in the capital.

 

Number 1.

The Snix bar from JuiceBaby is a pure delight. Shortbread base, gooey caramel and peanuts covered in raw chocolate. I would do almost anything for one right now.

 

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A vegan potluck returns

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If you are new around these parts, you might not remember that I used to run a vegan potluck.

London Vegan Potluck was a wonderful community event where people shared homemade vegan food, socialised with new friends, and perhaps got some cooking inspiration.

It was a fun, low cost and informal way for people to celebrate their veganism in a time before weekly markets and vegan nights.

London Vegan Potluck ran every month for four years and then I got overworked. We had to bring it to an end and London has mostly been devoid of vegan potlucks ever since.

But there is a new one on the horizon by some people named Anna and Amy.

Check out this info about the one-time-only vegan potluck in London:

The Nourishing Vegan Club is inspired by a love of food, passion for wellness & desire to bring like minded people together. So on Saturday 17th March we’re holding a vegan potluck afternoon at Jaz & Jul’s (a.k.a chocolate heaven) in London.

Bring a homemade vegan dish/cake, come with an appetite and be prepared to feast! Tickets are £5 (or £8 without bringing a dish) and spaces are limited so grab yours while they’re fresh out the oven!
Please message one of us to secure your place 🙂

Jaz & Jul’s is located on Chapel Market, close to Angel Underground Station.

You can RSVP and get all the necessary details over on the Facebook event page.

Arancini Brothers at the market

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This week has been a big week for Arancini Brothers and a big week for vegan London.

The fast food chain is celebrating all three of its bricks and mortar locations having finally become 100% vegan.

It started as somewhat of an experiment at their Old Street location which saw the outlet switch to a fully plant-based menu for Veganuary, however the decision swiftly followed to turn all three locations vegan.

Forever!

To help Arancini Brothers celebrate its first week as a fully vegan business, we have invited them to trade at Hackney Downs Vegan Market this Saturday with their food truck (Saturday March 3, 2018).

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bftg0lWA8ZT/

The gorgeous food truck will be selling fresh risotto balls and succulent burgers.

If you haven’t enjoyed the Arancini Brothers experience, this Saturday is your chance to make it happen.

You can see the full trader line up for Hackney Downs Vegan Market online here.

You can read about the new in-store vegan menu by Arancini Brothers online here.

You can follow Arancini Brothers on Instagram.

The return of Vegan Beer Fest UK 2018

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It is around this time of year when my inbox starts filling up with queries about Vegan Beer Fest UK, especially in regards to dates and venues.

This series of events has built a loving and loyal following over the years (can you believe it will be the 6th annual London version?!) and people are keen to have advance warning in order to book time off work.

I’m thrilled to be able to announce the following dates for 2018:

  • 6th annual London Vegan Beer Fest – Saturday July 14, 2018 – Hackney Downs Studios – Facebook event page
  • Coventry Vegan Beer Fest – Saturday July 28, 2018 – Twisted Barrel Taproom – Facebook event page
  • 3rd annual Glasgow Vegan Beer Fest – Sunday August 5, 2018 – Mono – Facebook event page
  • 2nd annual Sheffield Vegan Beer Fest – Saturday August 18, 2018 – Yellow Arch Studios – Facebook event page

As you can gather from the list of dates, we are yet to lock in a date or venue for Manchester.

We are working overtime to find a suitable location for what will be the 3rd annual Manchester Vegan Beer Fest. The venue we used for the past two years has been closed for refurbishment until 2019.

I am extremely keen to make this event happen in Manchester, so stay tuned for updates.

You can follow Vegan Beer Fest UK on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Vegan cake mix

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Do you enjoy vegan cakes?

I love cake. It is one of the foundation stones of my life, however I am extremely lazy and do not often find myself with the motivation to shop for and then measure all the necessary ingredients.

Yes, that is how lazy I am.

Thankfully, Georgina at The Wildflower Kitchen has me and my laziness covered.

The pre-mixed ingredients in her packs take the hard work out of cake making and can be used for either cupcakes or loaf cakes.

The mixes come in three varieties: chocolate, caraway, and sultana.

You can buy packets of this vegan cake mix from The Wildflower Kitchen online here.

Follow The Wildflower Kitchen on Instagram.

Free vegan pizza and cider in Cardiff

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The Stable pizza restaurant chain is famous for it’s vegan pizza giveaways and now it’s Cardiff’s turn to get in on the act.

Similar giveaways in the London branches of The Stable have seen hundreds and hundreds of vegan and vegan-curious diners line up for free plant-based pizza.

This chain restaurant is now set to run the free vegan food promotion at it’s location on Bridge Street, Cardiff on Wednesday February 28, 2018.

There is no sales catch here.

Show up and order a vegan pizza after 6pm on that date and you won’t pay for it. They also have gluten free options.

Of course if the dough runs out you don’t get a pizza, so if you plan on attending make sure you get along early to secure your free food.

In extra exciting news, there will also be free vegan cider tastings so you can make a whole meal of it! LOL.

It is important to note that this pizza deal is limited to one pizza per person and the restaurant will not be taking bookings.

You can follow The Stable on Instagram. You can RSVP and invite friends over on the Facebook event page for the Cardiff giveaway.

The Stable has locations in multiple UK cities so please visit their website to search if there is one near you.

Three food items not to be missed

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I rarely focus on individual food items at Hackney Downs Vegan Market when it comes to my blog, but this week (Saturday February 24, 2018) it is a different situation.

There are three things I feel you MUST know about.

Number one is the Spanish omelette by La Buenaventura. I can’t get my head around how they make something so amazing but they do and you should buy it.

They sell these incredible packaged omelettes for you to take home alongside their stunning vegan chorizo.

Thing number two? Fudge!

London Maker Chocolate is relatively new to our market but they are making waves with their treats and more waves are expected this week due to refined sugar free fudge topped with raw chocolate.

I don’t know about you, but I need this right about NOW!

Finally, reason number three why you should definitely not miss Hackney Downs Vegan Market this week.

Get an eyeful of this pie!

Young Vegans are famous for innovative and irresistible savoury pies but I think they have outdone themselves this week.

Say hello to their Meatball Marinara and Cheese Pie. This is a market exclusive and will be in limited numbers. I’m actually a little teary and emotional over this one.

See the full trader line up (and other details) for Hackney Downs Vegan Market online here.

FGV mentioned in Look magazine

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If you had told me a few years ago that I would be mentioned in a glossy UK fashion and lifestyle magazine, I would have slapped you with a seitan sausage.

But here we are.

My book Fat Gay Vegan: Eat, Drink and Live Like You Give a Sh!t has just been mentioned in LOOK magazine in a column about things people should be watching, readings, listening to, etc.

It is a little bit surreal to be mentioned on the same page of recommendations as the BRIT Awards, but I’m thrilled that the vegan message (or even the idea of it) is potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of people.

If you are interested in seeing this column on paper with your own eyes, you can buy LOOK in basically every shop in the UK and in some parts of Europe.

Much love to Jillian at my publisher who has been working overtime to get this book some incredible exposure.

You can buy your own copy of the book via Amazon, Foyles, WH Smith, and your local book retailer.

Black Cat Hackney has reopened

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Here is some brief (and good) news for you all.

Black Cat Café in Hackney has finally reopened for business following a period of refurbishment.

I make no secret of my love for Black Cat.

This 100% vegan café is a beacon of fairness and compassion. It is run as a workers cooperative, meaning the owners share all responsibilities and profits. I’d love to see more vegan business in London using this model.

The café supports its local community in wonderful ways, including allowing space for fundraising events.

Get along to Black Cat Café as soon as you can to congratulate them on their reopening. Follow them on Instagram as well.

Gorgeous vegan pop up for London

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London. I’m here to warn you to move quickly.

Denai of Dee’s Table always does amazingly well whenever she appears, so this one night only pop up supper club is going to have them rushing in.

Denai’s take on modern Jamaican cuisine is delicious and this menu for her Ultimate Vegan Ribs Feast taking place at 10 Cable Street on February 23, 2018 is the stuff of dreams.

What’s on the menu?

  • Jackfruit Ribs
  • Ginger Beer BBQ Sauce
  • Mac & Cheese with Thyme Bread Crumb
  • Smokey Homemade BBQ Beans
  • Roasted Squash Hominy Cornbread
  • Whole roasted potatoes
  • Corn on the cob
  • And Salads

Dessert to share:

  • Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Pizookie
  • Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Salted Caramel Sauce

This is a Friday night in London and the food is stunning, so click here to book your spot NOW!

You can follow Dee’s Table on Instagram.