vegan UK

Family owned vegan café in York

by

If you read my ramblings around these parts often, you will know that I love to sing the praises of independent vegan businesses.

I believe it is crucial that we not only use our consumer choices to help reduce harm to animals, we also need to spend our money (when we can) with independently owned vegan businesses in our local areas.

Instead of our money being swept away by multi-national corporations with little or no interest in our neighbourhoods, the money we spend with independents is then put back into the community.

These business owners buy local as well. Their families spend local. The money stays in the town, city, and region.

With all of that said (again), I want to tell you about a fabulous vegan café in the northern England city of York.

True Story is a family-owned vegan café serving up tasty, nutritious vegan food to their community. The café has a stunning view of the Minster and is even available for private hire and functions.

Follow True Story on Instagram and Facebook, then check out the photos below.

Support independent local business. Eat here when you are in York.

Vegan pizza tasting in Cardiff

by

I’ve got two questions for you.

Are you in Cardiff this weekend and do you like vegan pizza?

Get along to the gorgeous vegan store known as Simply V on Sunday January 28, 2018 from midday to sample the amazing One Planet Pizza.

This frozen vegan pizza is taking the UK by storm and this is your chance to try it out.

The pizzas are now available in over 150 stores around the UK (see all the locations here) and the company is spreading so rapidly that if they aren’t in your town yet, they soon will be.

But back to Cardiff.

Click here to see the exact location of Simply V thanks to Google Maps and follow the store on Instagram.

Say yes to vegan pizza and say yes to independent vegan stores!

Vegan mayo made from aquafaba

by

Here is some news that might just float your boat.

Rubies in the Rubble is a condiment-making business focussed on making use of fruit and vegetables that would otherwise be headed to the waste chute.

Yep, they use ugly or unwanted produce to make world-class preserves and chutneys, which in turn they sell on to hungry people like you.

The product I think you will be most excited by in the Rubies range is the aquafaba mayo they make.

Am I right?

In case you don’t know, aquafaba is the term used to describe the water/brine leftover from a tin of chickpeas. Traditionally, this would be thrown away but crafty vegans have found ways to turn this into edible foodstuff.

This includes meringue, buttercream frosting, and mayo. The aquafaba aerates when whipped or beaten.

Rubies in the Rubble now sell their original aquafaba mayo and a chipotle version. Check them out below.

You can buy your own jars of this unique product via the Rubies in the Rubble online shop.

Make sure you check out the rest of their range as well. It is all vegan! Follow Rubies in the Rubble on Instagram.

New online shopping collective

by

Here is some interesting news for vegan consumers.

The Eco Collective is a vegan and ethical online shop.

The owners describe it as kind of like Costco (where you pay to sign up and get wholesale prices for everything), however The Eco Collective is free to sign up and totally vegan.

They stock a huge range of products from groceries to household products and while they have larger brands, they concentrate on smaller independent companies.

They want it to be about vegans helping vegans.

The Eco Collective has a regular retail price for non-members and a discounted price for members, as well as monthly member specials.

You can order online for delivery anywhere in mainland UK. There is also an option to collect your order if you like near the warehouse in Christchurch, Dorset.

Click here to browse the hundreds of vegan items available and see what you think of the prices.

Inside Temple of Camden

by

A few days I gave you a sneak preview of what it looks like inside the soon-to-be-opened Temple of Camden, the second permanent location for food superstars Temple of Seitan.

If you missed that post, which also included some breaking news about their new Camden menu, you can click here to read it.

Today’s post is to share some more shots of the Temple of Camden interior (and exterior) to help get you excited ahead of their grand opening on January 31, 2018.

Check it out below!

You can follow Temple of Seitan on Instagram to stay updated on all the latest news.

The Vegan Kind box featuring FGV

by

If you are unfamiliar with it, I’m here to tell you that The Vegan Kind is a vegan subscription box that you can have sent to your home or workplace every month.

The January 2018 box has been a huge success and when you look at the contents, it’s not difficult to understand why.

The box this month is crammed solid with gorgeous vegan snacks AND a copy of my first-ever book, Fat Gay Vegan: Eat, Drink, And Live Like You Give A Sh!t.

The box is absolutely overflowing with goodies, so it’s no surprise that this is one of the most popular boxes in the history of The Vegan Kind. It has almost completely sold out.

If you are fast, you can subscribe to the monthly box plan from The Vegan Kind and get this marvellous January box (including my book and a can of squirty cream!).

But you will have to be super fast. Karris from The Vegan Kind told me she expects this box to be completely sold out in a matter of days.

Click here to subscribe to the monthly box and explore the other boxes and products being sold by The Vegan Kind. Sign up and choose to start your subscription immediately to ensure you get this January box.

You can follow The Vegan Kind on Instagram.

If you would like to buy my book separately for yourself or as a gift for someone, you can order online from Amazon, pick up in store from Foyles, or get a discount when ordering online from WH Smith if you use code FGV18.

Vegan cheese goes London wide

by

If you went to VegfestUK London in late 2017, you will know that one vegan cheese company in particular caused a lot of excitement.

New Roots absolutely blew everyone away with their stunning line up of vegan cheeses, including the spectacular camembert.

This cheese caused such a stir, it sold out in a matter of hours.

If you are anything like me, you’ve probably been dreaming of the time when this cheese would become more widely available.

Well, wake up and stop dreaming. New Roots is in London big time.

The Swiss cheese makers have just secured a London distribution deal with Marigold and are busy securing retail stockists. First stop? You can now buy their gorgeous vegan products at GreenBay Supermarket in Fulham.

Other retailers include:

More retailers are being added so keep updated by following New Roots on Instagram.

You can also ask your local independent health food retailer to stock New Roots. Let them know you want these products on their shelves and tell them the brand can be ordered via Marigold distribution.

Vegan slipper making workshop

by

How about a Vegan Slipper Making Workshop, London?

Get along to The Canvas Café on Sunday February 4, 2018 between midday and 2pm for a slipper making class with Juta Shoes.

Handcraft your own espadrille slippers using reclaimed vegan materials and sustainable jute soles… and you might as well eat delicious food from the now 100% vegan café!

What you’ll do:

  • Choose from stock of reclaimed and upcycled vegan materials
  • Learn to shape and pin your shoe to the sole
  • Handstitch the upper to the sole with waxed linen thread

What’s included:

Experienced makers offer expert instruction and support, and everyone walks out in their own pair of slides. All materials are provided and no experience necessary. The vegan material is reclaimed from donated coats and bags, and Juta will bring a range of colours and textures for you to choose from. They use premium jute soles sourced from southern Spain, which are thick, robust, and comfortable.

 

Click here to book your workshop ticket.

BREAKING NEWS: inside the new Temple of Seitan

by

London.

Here is the news you want.

After a year of enjoying runaway success at their Hackney location, vegan food superstars Temple of Seitan have announced the address and opening date for their second permanent location.

Temple of Camden is set to throw open its doors on Wednesday January 31, 2018 at 103A Camley Street N1C 4PF.

The images on this page give a tiny sneak preview of what the inside of the new Temple will look like and it looks fab.

Click here to see the exact location on Google Maps. The new shop is between a 10 and 15 minute walk from Camden Town, Mornington Crescent, and Kings Cross Underground stations.

So, we now know that the opening date is Wednesday January, 31, 2018 and the address is 103A Camley Street N1C 4PF… but what about the menu?!

I asked Rebecca, owner and legendary hero of Temple of Seitan, what she will be serving at Temple of Camden and here is what she disclosed:

It will be the same menu as Hackney plus the Hot Chicken Burger, the Cheeseburger menu, 50/50 chips, and popcorn snack packs. We will also have a deli section with coffee, bagels, toasted sandwiches, and sweet bakery treats!

OK. Are you pumped for this, London?!

Temple of Camden is about to take you to the next level of vegan enjoyment.

You should follow Temple of Seitan on Instagram to keep updated with all the latest news and glorious food photos.

Also, don’t forget that you can see Temple of Seitan at Hackney Downs Vegan Market this Saturday serving up loaded mac n cheese. Full market details here.

Arancini Brothers to stay vegan

by

A few weeks ago, I shared news about London fast food chain Arancini Brothers turning their Old Street location into a 100% vegan eatery.

Since January 2, 2018 the outlet has served thousands of vegan and vegan-curious customers (as well as some meat eaters who just want outstanding food) who have raved about the extensive and delicious vegan menu.

As it is halfway through their vegan month, I dropped in on owner Dave Arkin to find out how it has been for the business and what the future holds.

How has the vegan month been for Arancini Brothers Old Street?

The support we’ve had from our regular customers and the vegan community has made the first few weeks the most incredible and satisfying experiences since selling our first risotto ball almost 9 years ago.

Have you been surprised by the interest and support of vegans?

More delighted than surprised. I have to say a big thank you to all the support we’ve had from you (that’s me, FGV!) and the vegan community. You have all made our vegan switch at Old Street possible.

Any news on the future?

After just two weeks of running our Old Street location as a fully vegan business, we’ve decided to keep the location vegan for good. It will always be a fully vegan place to eat and I couldn’t be happier with the decision.

How incredible is this news?!

Arancini Brothers Old Street is now a 100% vegan food outlet, 100% of the time. Forever.

I would like to extend my personal gratitude to Dave and his team for taking this leap of faith. The impact this will have in their part of London, across the UK, and further around the world is impossible to calculate but people are taking notice.

This is monumental.

Dave is showing you can do a good thing and still run a business. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

You can follow Arancini Brothers on Instagram and click here to see the post I did about their huge vegan menu at Old Street (including photos!).

If you want to see the exact location of Arancini Brothers Old Street, you can thanks to Google Maps. Remember that the outlet is open between Monday and Friday between 9:30am and 4:00pm.