New Vegan Magazine - Plant Powered Planet

 In the launch edition of Plant Powered Planet vegan chef Tony Bishop-Weston issues a call to arms to make sure all pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels have good value for money delicious and exciting vegan options on their menu as Covid restrictions finally ease.

 

Plant Powered Planet Magazine - Read More

Biggest most influencial #WorldVeganDay #WorldVeganMonth set to Rock the World

Your help is need to reach over a million new potential vegans during #WorldVeganMonth which is kick-starting on #worldveganday 1st November. Please click on the link below to the one time vegan thunderclap

2017 has been a phenomenal year for the worldwide vegan community, google trends show interest in vegan in the UK has quadrupled since early 2015

Vegan interest quadrupled since Jan 2015

In 2015 there were around 30 Vegan Fairs, this year in 2017 there were 150 vegan fairs and festivals and yet despite this VegfestUK London was bigger than ever before with 280 exhibitors, hoards of caterers and a new vegan trade show tacked on.

Vegan fairs and festivals more than quadrupled since 2015

I worked hard last year and the beginning of this year to encourage retailers to make sure they followed Pret's lead and stocked a vegan sandwich. I think everyone now sells a vegan sandwich or wrap apart from Asda who say they are "working on it". Marks and Spencers renowned for putting dairy in everything whether it needed it or not (even the Sushi!) now have a great vegan range.

Asda now only supermarket with no vegan sandwich/wrap

I've now turned my attention to pubs whose accessibility for vegans has been made a lot more accommodating by Guinness taking the fish fining out of their world famous stout (Yes Draught Guinness is now Vegan). Luckily BidFood (formerly Bidvest 3663) one of the biggest wholesale  distributors to the catering trade has introduced some vegan desserts, vegan cheese and some vegan savoury items which has left no excuses for the On trade/Pub trade.

Brewers Fayre  - No Vegan Christmas Option

Other new vegan products this include new palm oil free vegan margarine by Flora , Ben and Jerrys vegan ice creams, new vegan dairy free cheeses by Tescos, Sainsburys and in Waitrose, a range of new vegan products by Quorn meat alternatives as well as a universal move to remove the egg from supermarket vegetarian products that would otherwise be vegan.

Vegan pizzas are not just being sold in Pizza Express, Zizzis and Ask but also beginning to appear in supermarkets too starting with Sainsbury's. Independent vegan cafes and restaurants have had to work hard to keep up with the new level of quality and choice now available on the high street.

The coconut craze has meant a whole new generation of ice creams, milks, yogurt and desserts that has left consumers with no excuses but to ditch dairy.

Oat products from Oatly such as the new Creme fraiche and the barista milk has further eaten into  dairy sales making the dairy industry less and less viable every week. The advertising standards authority finding that the slogan "There's no such thing as Humane Milk" was indeed legitimate was a massive blow to Dairy Farmers who faced with Brexit and loss of subsidies are literally at the end of their tether. Smart dairy farmers in  Canada and the USA have moved on to Pea Milk which has more protein than other plant milks and more calcium than cow's milk. Look out for new brands in 2018. Omega 3 rich flax milk is also a thing now.

Please help keep the momentum going and encourage all your non vegan friends to try going vegan for #WorldVeganMonth. 2-3 clicks is all it takes via facebook or twitter or just cut and paste the link

Bristol Restaurants, Bars and Hotels Are Urged to Contact Tourist Board Re Vegan Diets

Top Best News » Bristol Restaurants, Bars and Hotels Are Urged to Contact Tourist Board As Bristol Festival Attracts 20,000 Visitors Keen to Discover Vegan Diets.

Vegfest UK Festival in Bristol Causes Hummous Shortage

The Bristol Tourist Board admit finding Vegan restaurants on their website Visit Bristol is a bit of a headache.

They are asking proprietors who offer interesting, good value for money vegan food to contact them at

http://www.visitbristol.co.uk/destinationbristol/membership/apply-for-membership/food-and-drink

Vegfest UK in Bristol attracts  20000 this year - Director Tim Barford says "We envisage there could be Bristol city shortage of hummus next weekend because of all the people coming to Vegfest and visiting the city but we will have more than enough food to feed anyone who wants to try delicious healthier vegetarian and vegan options. This is our 10th year - no one has complained of going hungry before!"

http://www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk

Vegfest UK News VegfestUK

McDonalds Vegan Diet Monster Burger 'Better Than Meat' !

40 Years of Loch Ness Marked with 'Better Than Meat' Vegan Diet Burger | PRLog

Better than meat burgers - new vegan diet alternative recipe

A new Monster Vegan Burger said to be better than meat has been launched by McDonalds to celebrate 40 years of the Loch Ness Monster Project. The Sea Horse flavour dairy free cheeseburger suitable for those on a vegan diet and made with a secret vegan recipe approved by both the Vegetarian Society and The Vegan Society that is rich in omega 3 DHA and EPA

It's being launched in response to reports by Vegfest UK London, Veggie and Vegan Societies and google that there is a 40% increase in demand for vegan diet foods

It's said to be unconnected with the Dutch launch of the new Mc2 burger by a Dutch Vegan Butcher ( vegetarianbutcher.com )  and also said to be better than meat.

A London Nutritionist says "The recipe is higher in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and omega 3 DHA and EPA than beefburgers and hamburgers"

Glasgow Nominated for Vegan Award - Best City

Glasgow Nominated for Vegan Award - Best City

vegan awards 2013

I'll bet Daily Record readers are shaking their heads in disbelief! Of all the things Glasgow could get nominated for an award for?? Best UK City for Vegans to live in? Hoards of Glasweigans woke up this morning muttering "Has some sneaky wee bampot been hidin vegetables in oor food like?"  Turns out they have

Craig Tannock who runs a number of 100% vegan cafes and restaurants in Glasgow, says

“None of the current Glasgow vegan establishments make a big deal about being vegan, but rather concentrate on being good.”

This has led to unsuspecting food critics praising vegan dishes at 100% vegan restaurants without even realising they are vegan.

You know your getting it right when that happens! Clearly other UK cities should follow the Glasgow example because if they can not just survive but flourish and thrive in a city more famous for deep fried chocolate mars bars, square sausage, white pudding, Haggis , Tennants lager and Scotch Mutton Pies then they deserve a vegan award!

Other UK Cities nominated in the Vegfest Awards include Liverpool ( home to Scouseveg ) London (home to PETA UK) , Brighton ( home to many ghettos of old hippies), Nottingham ( home to Veggies catering campaign), Birmingham ( home to The Vegan Society)  Bristol (home to Viva!) , Swansea ( home to Govindas Hare Krishna restaurant), Sheffield ( home to Uncaged ), and Manchester ( home to The UK Vegetarian Society and National Vegetarian week)

Vote Now for your vegan favourites http://www.london.vegfest.co.uk/vote

Editors Notes
http://www.vegfest.co.uk/
http://brighton.vegfest.co.uk/
http://bristol.vegfest.co.uk/
http://london.vegfest.co.uk/
http://www.vimeo.com/channels/487033
http://www.twitter.com/vegfestuk
http://www.facebook.com/vegfestuk
https://vimeo.com/61737815 

Vegetarian Visitor UK Vegetarian Travel Guidebook

Vegetarian Visitor UK Vegetarian Travel Guidebook:

2012 edition of the annually updated UK Vegetarian travel guide book Vegetarian Visitor winner of Vegetarian Award and used by The BTA / British Tourist Board is now out and on sale

Vegetarian and Vegan friendly restaurants, pubs, cafes, hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses in England, Scotland and Wales

From Glasgow to Oxford, from Stratford to Cornwall, from London to Edinburgh delicious vegetarian treats to delight everyone. Take a peek now

Order a copy now, it's only £4 including postage to Europe.


Vegetarian Restaurants Hotels, B&Bs, Guest Houses in Britain / UK

To order a copy in the EU at £4.00 (post free), email your credit card details to a.weitzel@live.co.uk or phone            01689 870437      . Alternatively please send a cheque payable to Jon Carpenter Publishing to JCP Sales, 2 Home Farm Cottages, Sandy Lane, St Paul’s Cray, Kent BR5 3HZ. 

In the USA the guide is available from Independent Publishers Group at $5.95. Please call 1-800-888-4741 or go to www.ipgbook.com (IPG accepts credit card payments). 


Vegetarian Scotland
Vegetarian Wales

Top 10 Food Trends for 2010

Nation's Restaurant News




Top 10 / top 20 food trends for 2010 - The NRN are, it's safe to say, fairly conservative, (their politics have been likened to a little right of the NRA) as you'd expect for a magazine whose readership are chefs who routinely think up new ways to kill animals and make dead rotting flesh taste nice.

The cliche of Chefs' animosity to vegetarians is perpetuated by chefs such as Gordon Ramsay - the only thing he says he hates more than vegans is traffic wardens.

So a good sign indeed that the National Restaurant News, NRN , one letter away from NRA, and their survey of chefs has come out with these encouraging results in their top 20 food trends for 2010 for the ethical environmentalists amongst us.

Exciting times ahead surely , good news for Vegetarian Visitor the UK Restaurant and accommodation guide and perfect timing for The Vegetarian Society's new campaign V Healthy that features leading London Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston's 7 ways to health

(Dec. 1, 2009)

• 1. Locally grown produce
• 2. Locally sourced meats and seafood
• 3. Sustainability
• 4. Bite-size/mini desserts
• 5. Locally produced wine and beer
• 6. Nutritionally balanced children's dishes
• 7. Half-portions/smaller portion for a smaller price
• 8. Farm/estate-branded ingredients
• 9. Gluten-free/food allergy conscious
• 10. Sustainable seafood
• 11. Superfruits (e.g. acai, goji berry, mangosteen, purslane)
• 12. Organic produce
• 13. Culinary cocktails (e.g. savory, fresh ingredients)
• 14. Micro-distilled/artisan liquor
• 15. Nutrition/health
• 16. Simplicity/back to basics
• 17. Regional ethnic cuisine
• 18. Non-traditional fish (e.g. branzino, Arctic char, barramundi)
• 19. Newly fabricated cuts of meat (e.g. Denver steak, pork flat iron, Petite Tender)
• 20. Fruit/vegetable children's side items
  

Source: The National Restaurant Association's What's Hot in 2010 chef survey.

Note 11: Purslane is not a fruit but a succulent herb a bit like a cross between cactus and watercress that has huge amounts of omega 3 essential fats - Chefs obviously still have some way to go but really exciting it's on their radar.

World Vegan Day Poll Revelations

World Vegan Day Poll This year is rather special for Vegans - It's 65 years since Donald Watson first inspired people to formally recognise his philosophy as vegan and help him form the world's first Vegan Society. World Vegan Day has been celebrated every year since the 50th / Golden Anniversary in 1994 but there's a determination that this year it will be one of the most special of all.

Never before has there been so much self reflection and looking forward with renewed pragmatic resolve.

Why is that after 65 years veganism still fails to flourish in the way it logically should? We have the evidence, it's better for the environment, it's more sustainable, it's better for health, it's better for people, it's more ethical - civilised society should embrace it wholeheartedly! What's holding the thinking majority back?

A World Vegan Day Poll asked vegan visitors "What would make your friends try veganism?" Unsurprisingly from a movement largely driven by a commitment to Animal Welfare the no1 result was

'Being taken around a slaughterhouse' with 31% of the Vote

Interesting though The World Vegan Day Poll reveals a more practical potential important focus area for vegan campaigns.

Better Vegan choices and dishes in Restaurants comes in a close 2nd with 28% of the vote

Previously Fresh Fast Food caterers such as Pret a' manger had started to address this issue with a range of inspired salads, vegetable sushi and the ubiquitious Hummous and roasted vegetable wrap - hell they even had Green & Blacks chocolate.

Then it's seems Julian Metcalf took his eye off the ball again and bits of creme fraiche (AARRGGGH!) or feta seemed to have unecessarily crept back in to all the plant based dishes (like they all needed a little extra saturated animal fat?????)

Still other restaurants that do take vegan plant based choices seriously are filling the gap. Restaurants such as Tibbits in Piccadilly, Itsu and the celebrated Leon chain have their eyes and hearts firmly fixed on Pret's lunchtime trade and the pre-theatre crowd too.

They are not alone though.

Following Sir Paul McCartney and Celebrity friends Meat Out Monday relaunch, and McCartney family arch rival Heather Mills' determination to take over the world with her globally franchisable V-Bites more and more caterers are begining to see the light.

Having equal value for money choices of equal quality on the nations menus, thus making it more convenient and more enjoyable to choose vegan can only result in one thing - more people choosing vegan - it's the only logical choice.

If we manage to remove that final excuse - "oh it's too difficult" then there is nothing stopping people apart from pure selfish greed and a masochistic suicidal obcession with destruction and torture.

World Vegan Day will be celebrated in London's second City - Croydon at an ECO-VEG Fayre and healthy family fun day at Croydon's legendary Fairfield Halls on Sunday November 1st. There will be a big emphasis on encouraging restaurants and cafes to include 100% plant based options on their menus at this event and during Croydon's Food Festival

See more at Croydon World Vegan Day Event

Heather Mills Restaurant-V-Bites

Fish's off... Heather Mills gets high and mighty as her vegan café replaces seafood diner | Mail Online Says the Sunday Mail

In Heather Mills' own inimitable style she climbed up a ladder onto the roof of her new vegan restaurant to address the gathered crowd at the opening of her new vegetarian restaurant V-Bites. The Ultimate Vegan Cafe Heather Mills has everything on the menu from vegan Mr Whippy Ice Cream and vegan chicken nuggets to a full Vegan Sunday Roast and full monty traditional all day cooked breakfast.



Heather Mills' Vegan Cafe opened on July the 4th and does have an air of a cafe from Las vegas an all American neon Michael Jackson glitz and glamour sign from the outside but inside it's all typical traditional Englishness complete with delightful tea cakes and cup cakes that will delight the ladies who lunch on the south coast of England in Brighton and Hove.

Heather Mills says "VBites will offer a balanced menu of unique meatless meats and vegan treats with a gastronomic feast of dishes inspired by every corner of the globe. VBites' talented chefs will be serving recipes, everything from Bangers and Mash to Chicken Style Nut Korma, mini pitta pockets with Beefy Wok Strips to amazing salads and yummy fruit smoothies, a Traditional English breakfast, Pad Thai served with rice noodles, Sag Paneer with vegan feta cheese, full Sunday roast with all the trimmings and a wide range of delicious sandwiches including a ‘ham’, cheese and tomato toastie and a classic BLT."

"To keep the kids happy, there is also a yummy children’s menu with a wide range of choices to satisfy even the fussiest of eaters. The little ones can choose from a varied selection including ‘Fishy Fingers’ or ‘Chiky Nuggets' served with chips and a choice of peas or baked beans (all of the chips served at VBites are oven baked) and Spaghetti Bolognaise.

For those with a sweet tooth, VBites will feed your desires with gorgeous chocolate muffins, tasty cakes and delectable desserts. The café’s ice-cream bar will serve fruit smoothies, plus a very special VBites version of the traditional Mr Whippy ice-cream…Mrs Swirly!"



VBites
Kingsway
Hove Lagoon
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 4SA
T: 01273 933757
W: www.vbites.com
Opening Hours: 09:30 – 23:30 7 days a week

Saf Restaurant & Bar London

Saf Restaurant & Bar London
Saf -ilicious. Manhatten New York vegan raw cool comes to London.

At last! After nearly 30 years of waiting the restaurant of my vegetarian / vegan dreams has finally arrived in London. Saf means pure in Turkish and it truly is pure - pure magic. A personification of epicurean delight. A magical mystery tour into textures, flavours, visual artistry and culinary enlightenment.

My 4 course dinner at Saf was divine. I'm humbled, time for me to retire from messing about about in the kitchen and leave it to the new young blood, a chap called Chad.

Flavours, presentation, ambiance, service, and energy of the whole experience was exquisitely luscious and sumptuous.

Admittedly they had only just opened and were full of that initial earnest passion to please and not too busy to treat everyone like a celebrity but there was nothing I could fault them on - they'd thought of everything. I don't think it will be long before it's full of ingonito hollywood socialites, celebrity anglophiles and the cream of British arthouse bohemia. Saf's Joe McCanta, sommelier/mixologist/jazz pianist (ex counter New York) and Chad , gourmet chef, already have a fanbase in New York and next time Moby comes to London I can't think why he'd eat anywhere else other than saf.

Review - Saf Restaurant

See www.safrestaurant.co.uk

Weapons of Mass Destruction Brandished by Restaurants - ethical pulse

Weapons of Mass Destruction Brandished by Restaurants - ethical pulse

Restaurants urged to feature alternatives to 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' (Meat and Dairy) on their menus for World Vegan Day 1st November 2007

See also Restaurants:Weapons of Mass Destruction

New Poll - World Vegan Day Poll please vote - one click.


Vegan PizzaUK Tragedy - Vegan Pizza USA Resounding success

No legal definition of Vegan or Vegetarian for Restaurants in Europe says UK Govt