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Scottish Farplace Vegan Festival

April 15, 2017 by Tofu Temptress Leave a Comment

My goodie bag, with free samples & information
There was a great crowd from the start
There was a great crowd from the start

It never fails to warm my heart, walking into a room filled with everything vegan. Well, ok, not everything vegan, but everything in there is vegan, if you understand me. I can just walk in and buy whatever I want without having to check ingredients and so on…and I usually do.

My goodie bag, with free samples & information
My goodie bag, with free samples & information

This year I went into the Edinburgh Vegan Festival at the Corn Exchange as a VIP. Oh yes, early entry and a goodie bag from Farplace Animal Rescue, were mine for just £15 and it was great to have a sniff around before the hoards descended, for descend they did. I was armed with cash (although more and more stalls take cards these days) as much a method of keeping track of my spending than anything.

Ham & cheese crepe for breakfast

I wandered around and bought breakfast, a ‘ham & cheese’ crepe from Flip’n’fast Crepes, their first one of the day. As I took it out to the seating area to have a root through my goodie bag, I passed the Sgai mheats stall, which had a queue already, before the festival had properly opened! I tweeted this fact to my followers and settled down to devour my crepe.

 

New breakfast food 'Quinoa Crack' - fab!
New breakfast food ‘Quinoa Crack’ – fab!

After another little wander round I headed to the talks and films area. They were showing ‘Live and Let Live’,’Cowspiracy’ (which also comes in book form) and ‘Peaceable Kingdom’ in the screening room during the day. I’d seen Peaceable Kingdom online, as you can too if you like. It’s a wonderful documentary about animal farmers who have awoken to veganism through life changing events. Their stories are worth hearing, but there is some footage that I found quite difficult to watch. I suppose I’m not yet hardened to images of animal exploitation and to be honest, I hope I never will be.


Instead of watching the films, I was lucky enough to get one of the last remaining seats in a talk given by Dr. Alex Lockwood entitled ‘How to turn a man vegan in 45 minutes.’ The talk addressed the wild gender imbalance within the vegan movement (there are far more females than males) and it was standing room only by the time he got started. There are several reasons why men are less drawn to veganism than women, and many of them are cultural. I took a fair few notes to see how I could work on approaching my male friends on the subject. Dr. Lockwood was keen to hear the audience’s stories about their vegan journeys and was an engaging speaker. He wrote ‘The Pig in Thin Air’ which details his own vegan awakening and has earned some fantastic reviews.

Donuts a plenty
Donuts a plenty

It was still a little early for donuts, but goodness knows, there were plenty available. First to sell out were the cream egg flavoured ones made by the ever-reliable Considerit Chocolate. I bought some chocolate bars from them as I always do, and also treated myself to three dream eggs which were indeed a dream come true.

 

Vegan creme eggs. Need I say more?
Vegan creme eggs. Need I say more?

The range of cakes, as ever, was impressive. My local baker Pitxu, was there and I couldn’t resist a cupcake from her stand. She’s based in the Edinburgh area and I’ve reviewed her work in detail elsewhere.

 

Choc orange cupcake
Choc orange cupcake

Food was soon beckoning me again, and by some miracle I managed to control myself cake-wise. I grabbed a curried potato and pea patty for lunch from Sacred Lotus, and wandered over to the other side of the venue. There I found something I really wasn’t expecting to see.

Quick lunch
Quick lunch

Among the tempting food, worthy charities and vegan businesses sat a car- a Tesla to be exact. I am not an expert when it comes to cars, but I must say it looked impressive. An all vegan car with vegan leather interior is a real innovation. Completely electric, this must be one of the most environmentally friendly cars out there. It’s certainly one of the fastest, going from 0 to 60mph in 2.6 seconds! Ah, perhaps when I win the lottery…

Super-fast electric vegan Tesla
Super-fast electric vegan Tesla

It was around this time that my thoughts turned to what little presents I could get those who couldn’t attend. First into my mind, unsurprisingly, was my beloved dog. I happened across a stand filled with vegan doggie treats called Pooches a Gogo, which were made locally in Fife. They assured me that each batch was rigorously taste tested by their Labradors, so I bought a packet of little bones that made me very popular when I returned home!

Vegan treats for your pooch
Vegan treats for your pooch

Once I’d got some gifts I turned my attention to the many charity stalls. I love learning about the smaller charities. The Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice, whom I’d met in Glasgow in December, have a new project. They’re trying to raise funds to open the UK’s first hospice for farmed animals. I happily donated as I reckon the work they do is just heroic and so, so kind. Donate here if you wish.

Raising money for abandoned animals
Raising money for abandoned animals

Paws2Rescue was a charity I hadn’t heard of before. They take abandoned dogs from Romania and try to rehome them here in the UK. The conditions the dogs are in is heartbreaking and the charity reach out to kind-hearted people via social media and their website.

True dat.
True dat.

Donuts selling fast…I chatted to a lovely lady from the Mahouts Elephant Foundation, who supports local people in Thailand who used to own elephants in order to make a living. They help them remain in their villages so their elephants can wander free in the forests instead of being dragged into town. They run camps so tourists can see the elephants in their natural environments and the mahouts go out every day to check that the elephants are safe.

Soul Tree skincare stand
Soul Tree skincare stand

After visiting various skincare stalls including Soul Tree and White Rabbit, I went to the last talk of the day, given by Rebecca Knowles, who is the founder of Vegan Outreach Scotland. She’s had a very interesting life, having lived in all different areas of the world, which I think gives her a good perspective on the issues. Her organisation simply asks people if they are animal lovers and then takes them to the logical conclusion that veganism is for them. As most of us know, this can be a pretty awkward conversation, but to get people’s actions to align with their beliefs can be very rewarding. Rebecca is clearly driven to have that conversation and it’s great to have people like her out there leading a compassionate discussion.

No more cream egg donuts...
No more cream egg donuts…

 

I was soon pretty tired, but very happy with my haul. I met some lovely people over the course of the day. I also get the feeling that these festivals are becoming far more mainstream and appealing to a far wider group of people. The presence of the car, as well as those selling fitness supplements alongside all the familiar savoury food stalls, cakes, charities and beauty products, was very welcome. Veganism really needs to be ‘normalised’ if we’re going to make a real difference for the animals and if having a liqueur stand , a terrarium stall, and a sporty car is needed to do that, then I’m all for it!

 

Filed Under: Vegan News Tagged With: Cakes, car, Charity, dog treats, vegan festiavls

Vegfest Scotland 2016 – Glasgow SECC

January 7, 2017 by Tofu Temptress 1 Comment

My haul
Cheeze hampers
Cheeze hampers
I love a good pun
I love a good pun
Upcyled netting & possibly pun of the day
Upcyled netting & possibly pun of the day

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been to vegan festivals all over the UK, from Brighton to Bristol, Newcastle to Edinburgh. They become more numerous every year and it would certainly be a challenge to attend them all. Being a Scot, there was something really heartening to see how much Vegfest Scotland, held in Glasgow’s SECC, has grown and developed since its first event last year. Aberdeen and Dundee now have their own vegan festivals and with each event doing so much to spread awareness of veganism, I can only predict that this wonderful trend of expansion will continue.

Italian style dumplings
Italian style dumplings

It’s not every day I have dumplings for breakfast, but to be honest, many exceptions are made for Vegfest. I simply couldn’t resist the Holy Cow stand, with its massively elaborate-looking burgers, fabulously attractive cake selection and the aforementioned dumplings. I knew I had to pace myself, so settled on just the Italian style dumplings. (I had Polish style ones the next day, which were equally nice. This dumplings-for-breakfast thing could become a habit…) Holy Cow is a brand new Edinburgh based fully vegan cafe. You can find them near the bus station in Elder Street. I cannot wait to go there for a meal. It’s great to have another one hundred percent vegan place in Edinburgh!

The lure of the tofu press
The lure of the tofu press

My first day at Vegfest was mainly taken up with buying things. Yes, I could use the excuse that, being December, I was doing some Christmas shopping, but that would (mostly) be a lie. I mean, I did get a few gifts for loved ones, but mainly I was on a totally selfish vegan shopping binge. I bought a fair amount of food of course – that goes without saying really – but there was so much to purchase besides grub.

I didn't know you could if I'm honest
I didn’t know you could if I’m honest

Firstly I have to admit that I caved and bought a tofu press. It shouldn’t really be a guilty admission, but until now I’ve been pressing tofu punk-style by wrapping it in tea towels and shoving a bunch of heavy cookbooks on top of it, so it seems like a bit of a sell out. However, the handy device I purchased not only acts as a neat press, but also doubles as a perfectly sized marinating tray. See, I’ve always struggled with getting a bowl big enough but shallow enough to marinate tofu efficiently and effectively, so I think this is where it may come into its own. I look forward to using it.

A fab organisation
A fab organisation

So many charities made an appearance this year, including many smaller causes that I hadn’t heard of before. I’d met the folk from The Scottish Animal Behaviour and Rescue Centre at Edinburgh’s Vegan Festival in August (they do amazing work) but new to me were the Underheugh Ark, an adoption and fostering organisation that aims to save dogs from England’s cruel ‘seven day rule’ which sees them put to sleep after that time if not claimed. Another that caught my eye was the Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice who provides care for terminally ill abandoned animals. Could there be any more touching charity? There was also an organisation called Give a Dog a Bone, who assist older dog rescuers meet the costs of having a canine companion.

Signs from Save Movement Scotland
Signs from Save Movement Scotland

I was lucky enough to have a chat with one of the members of Save Movement Scotland at their stall and attend one of their talks later. She showed me video footage of animals that they’d filmed here in Scotland, arriving at their final destination by truck, looking confused, frightened and uncomprehending. It was utterly heartbreaking. For our own sanity, it is easy to imagine that local farms are not as cruel as those further away, but here I was, confronted by images from my own back yard. The bravery of those who confront not only the truck drivers, but those who open the gates of the slaughter houses, astounds me. Many would see the save movements – which started in Toronto, Canada I think- as an exercise in futility. I mean, what is the point of upsetting yourself by bearing witness to the suffering of animals which you don’t have a hope of saving?

Everyone needs to hear this meesage
Everyone needs to hear this meesage

Later on at the Save Movement Scotland talk, I found out that the peaceful protesters confront passersby with what is happening and let them know why it’s wrong. They also chip away at the consciences of the drivers and abattoir workers and security guards. These people may not acknowledge that it’s cruel and unnecessary to use animals in this way in front of the protestors, but what grains of doubt are planted in their minds? What conversations do they have with their family when they get home from work? It is a subtle and heartrending form of outreach and hopefully one day, I’ll feel emotionally strong enough to join them.

Cool clothes from Vive la Vegan
Cool clothes from Vive la Vegan

On a lighter note, the array of t-shirts on display this year was truly fab, especially by the charities. I bought one from the League Against Cruel Sports and one from the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade, both noble causes. Clothing in general was top notch, especially on the Viva La Vegan stand. They even had bags that celebrated the vegan cheese/gary debate!

Gary anyone?
Gary anyone?

Cosmetics in general are well represented at Vegfest and I had a lovely chat with the owners of Iuvo Skincare at their stand. Their handmade soaps smelled and looked amazing, and their skin cream felt brilliantly smooth. They also had a selection of fragrant oils which I enjoyed sampling. In the end I bought a mixed box containing all these items. Well, it’d be rude not to.

The beautiful selection at Iuvo Skincare
The beautiful selection at Iuvo Skincare

On my second day at Vegfest I attended a brilliant talk by Vegan Geezer himself. If you’re not familiar with his work, check him out on youtube. In fact, that was what his talk was about – utilising youtube for activism. It was fascinating and I took lots of notes. The reach you can achieve is phenomenal and for anyone who wanted to take the vegan message to a greater number of people, there were loads of tips.

Vegan Geezer
Vegan Geezer

Talking of interesting outreach, Animal Equality were there with their virtual reality headsets. If you’re not familiar with these, they put you right onto the kill floor with British pigs. Participants put on the VR headsets and headphones and it’s as close as most people would ever want to get to the reality for these factory farmed animals. I witnessed a few individuals with tears in their eyes as they finished their experience. It’s no wonder really. I must admit to being surprised how many people were willing to try it – they were busy all day on both days. I’m sure it’ll help many people become vegan.

Animal Equality's iAnimal VR
Animal Equality’s iAnimal VR

I’m conscience that I haven’t said too much about the food at Vegfest so far. Believe me, while chatting to folk or browsing I was invariably munching on something scrummy. I’ve mentioned Holy Cow, but Brownins Vegan Carribean Food deserve a mention just for their dumplings (I know, I know, but they were a different kind of dumpling.) They also did magnificently massive jerk soya wraps, which I simply didn’t have room for, but saw others devour joyfully.

Incredibly tasty food
Incredibly tasty food

Cool Jerk Pies had some festive offerings, with a vegan version of pigs in blankets as a topping. Cakes were everywhere of course, including my two favourite purveyors, Missy’s Vegan Cupcakes and Pitxu’s Cakes and Bakes. The macaron display was impressive as usual and well, basically the food was fab all round. A slice of pizza from the Bute Island Foods stand was heavenly.

Cruelty free pigs in blankets - on pies!
Cruelty free pigs in blankets – on pies!

The last talk I attended was one from Go Vegan Scotland, a relatively newly formed group who spread awareness of veganism up and down the country. I first noticed them when they produced a poster asking where people drew the line between animals who were ‘meant for food’ and those who were not. It went up at various locations throughout Scotland and I thought it was a brilliant way to jolt people from their cocoons of casual carnism (as you might say.)

Vegan pizza - yum!
Vegan pizza – yum!

I also noticed them when I attended the monthly vegan quarter at the Leith Market in Edinburgh and it was great to hear the story of how they’d formed and what their approach was. They brave all elements to man stands in areas of heavy footfall in both Edinburgh and Glasgow and say they’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response. I’m sure if you’re a vegan you’ve had some sort of flack online (I know I have!!!) but it seems that people are less likely to insult you in person. Most people are curious and want to know more, which is why Go Vegan Scotland are there.

Raffle draw
Raffle draw

I think it’s opened many people’s eyes and it’s great to have an information stall in busy city centres calmly giving out information and advice. Of course one of the main reasons I loved their talk was because I managed to win a hamper in their raffle which was drawn by a man dressed as a cow. I love Vegfest.

My haul
My haul
The Hamper
The Hamper

Filed Under: Vegan News Tagged With: Charity, clothing, festivals, food, vegan festiavls

Scottish Vegan Festival 2016

October 17, 2016 by Tofu Temptress Leave a Comment

Locally baked cake
Raw delights
Raw delights
Arrive hungry
Arrive hungry
Locally baked cake
Locally baked cake
Beautiful cake
Beautiful cake
Cupcakes from Pitxu's
Cupcakes from Pitxu’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sizzling burgers
Sizzling burgers

When you go to a vegan fair, take my advice, arrive hungry. I mean skip breakfast and get down there with a proper appetite. If you don’t, you may regret it. There’s so much more to a vegan fair besides food of course (what do you mean, ‘is there?’) but there’s nothing quite as frustrating as that feeling of being too full to try that pie, that donut, that sizzling burger. So, do yourself a favour and make sure you at least get a decent run at it.

There's even vegan steak...
There’s even vegan steak…

As I entered the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh on a sunny October day, it was a great prospect to look at all the stalls and know that every single one of them was not only vegan friendly, but TOTALLY vegan. Oh, bliss. I mean, in this non-vegan world it’s a fabulous novelty.

...and vegan steak sandwiches.
…and vegan steak sandwiches.

I’ve done reviews of vegan fairs before, so if you’ve read them you’ll roughly know the drill. There are loads of stalls – from charities, to cupcakes, from beauty products to t-shirts and jewellery. This particular fair was in aid of Farplace Animal Rescue, a no-kill shelter located in County Durham who campaign for the rights of animals. I bought one of their anti-badger cull t-shirts and spoke to some of their volunteers. They’re running a campaign at the moment to try and raise some money, see here for details. They also re-home animals, from rabbits to pigs!

Everything was in aid of Farplace Animal Rescue
Everything was in aid of Farplace Animal Rescue

One of the first stalls I stopped at was a charity called Pounds for Poundies who raise money in order to help rescue charities save more dogs from an uncertain future in the pound. Another t-shirt was purchased and they told me about their current campaign which aims to get people to consider re-homing a staffie, as there are so many in pounds at the moment.

Ponds for poundies
Pounds for poundies

 

I was pleased to finally meet the faces behind Humblestuff, the makers of environmentally friendly, vegan cleaning products. The fizzing sticks that are used to clean toilet bowls can also be used as a bath bomb! I’m pretty sure it’s the only loo cleaner that can make that claim!

Tyne chease
Tyne chease

I’m constantly amazed by the wonderful quality of modern vegan cheese. Both Tyne Chease and Nutcrafter Creamery were there, with some fabulous examples. They had firm cheeses, cream cheeses and even vegan butter. Gone are the days when an excuse not to go vegan was ‘I’d miss cheese’ thanks to companies like these. Bute Island Foods was also doing tastings and their range just keeps expanding. They’re the ones responsible for Sainsbury’s new hit vegan cheese (or ‘Gary’ as it’s been christened by the internet…) It does me good to see products like this filtering through to the mainstream.

The Spice Witch
The Spice Witch

There were some spectacular sauces and chutneys on display too. My particular favourites were The Spice Witch (the mango and chilli chutney I bought was as good as any I’ve had in an Indian restaurant, if not better) and MaRobert’s Taste of Tanzania (I only got the medium spiced sauce, as I’m obviously too wimpy for hot or extra hot. It was delicious though.)

MaRobert's sauces
MaRobert’s sauces

All this is to say nothing of the cake! I was so encouraged to see many local bakers there with stands. The interest in vegan cakes is always high and bakers have nothing to lose by catering for us. Believe me, I don’t know any non-vegans that would turn their noses up at these delectable offerings.

Marvelous macarons
Marvelous macarons

I could go on and on, but let’s just say I spent most of the day here and was not even slightly bored. It was a lot busier than many expected it to be and I’m so glad it was a success. As more and more people turn to veganism, I can only see these events getting bigger and better, and that is a very happy thought.

 

 

A selection of vegan t-shirts
A selection of vegan t-shirts
You can even get dog toiletries here!
You can even get dog toiletries here!
My haul.
My haul.
True...
True…
Hunt Sabs, doing it for the animals.
Hunt Sabs, doing it for the animals.

Filed Under: Vegan News Tagged With: Charity, cheese, Cupcakes, Rescue, vegan festiavls

Edinburgh Vegan Festival 2016

September 29, 2016 by Tofu Temptress Leave a Comment

My final haul!
Yummy food around every corner.
Yummy food around every corner.
Savoury treats
Savoury treats
Edinburgh Vegan Festival
Edinburgh Vegan Festival

Right in the midst of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and just across the road from the Edinburgh Book Festival lay, for one weekend, the Edinburgh Vegan Festival. This is the second year the Roxburghe Hotel has played host and I must say, spread over two days instead of one, it felt a lot less ram packed this year.

Huge variety of culinary offerings
Huge variety of culinary offerings

My haul began straight away with a few giveaways. For a donation to Tower Hill Stables animal charity you could pick up the much fabled Follow Your Heart VeganEgg (egg replacer in baking and also makes scrambled ‘egg’) as well as other goodies including Sarelle bars, Lavera hand cream and much more.

Sizzling...
Sizzling…

The array of food was as mindboggling and mouth-watering as ever. Every type of cuisine seemed to be represented, from the award winning sgaia steaks, to olives and deli delights galore. As it was almost lunchtime there was sizzling going on. More focused individuals than myself were picking out their lunch options with tongs and great skill. All I could do was look around me.

Cool Jerk pies
Cool Jerk pies

I’d popped in the previous day, Saturday, and got a pie from Cool Jerk, always a favourite. Macaroni pie, seriously, how can you go wrong? Even my omnivore companion was impressed with their mince and onion offering. Today however, a pizza and salad from Henderson’s more than filled me up. It’s my regret to this day that I didn’t try the jam donuts that Considerit Chocolate were selling…However, a few of Missy’s Vegan cupcakes were pocketed for later, as were a brownie or two from Shire Snax. Even if you arrive at these events hungry, there’s always so much to fill you up you never get to try everything.

Jam donuts
Jam donuts

Of course, there’s always room for a small dessert and I was tempted to lots of different stalls to sample their wares. It was the first time I’d tasted Jeaven’s dairy-free toffee and I was compelled to buy two bags straight away. It really is lovely stuff.

Missy's Vegan Cupcakes
Missy’s Vegan Cupcakes

Yum Earth Organics were also tempting passers-by with their fruity boiled sweets and jelly beans that not only were free from gelatine (of course!) but also contained anti-oxidents and counted towards your five (or seven, or whatever) a day. Impressive. Good Full Stop were not a company I’d come across before, but their date and nut bars in a wide selection of flavours were worth stopping for.

Jeaven's dairy free toffee
Jeaven’s dairy free toffee

I was pleased to see many charities in evidence too. The League Against Cruel Sports was there, not only selling some cool t-shirts but also spreading the very important message that the fox hunting ban must be kept.

A selection of sweets from Yum Earth Organics
A selection of sweets from Yum Earth Organics

The Dr. Hadwen Trust continue to raise awareness of their work, which is conducting accurate medical testing without using animals. They have the only vegan charity shop in Britain (so far) and fund research into almost every serious condition you can think of, from brain tumours to heart disease.

Tasting station at Good Full Stop.
Tasting station at Good Full Stop.

Animals Asia had so much merchandise on their stand they were struggling to keep it all balanced on there! They do amazing work and this time were particularly highlighting their efforts to rescue bears who are used for bile. Just horrendous stuff, so very necessary work.

T-shirts from The League Against Cruel Sports
T-shirts from The League Against Cruel Sports

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dr.Hadwen Trust stand
The Dr.Hadwen Trust stand

For those with a concern for the environment, which of course includes many vegans, Population Matters were there to highlight overpopulation of humans.

Plenty of stuff on the Animals Asia stand!
Plenty of stuff on the Animals Asia stand!

There were arts, crafts, make up and beauty products of all kinds on display too. Some beautiful paintings of elephants caught my eye and I bought one right at the end of the day. The art was beautiful and some of the proceeds went towards elephant conservation, so I simply couldn’t resist. Also gorgeous bags with foxes and badgers on them called to me. I got a badger one as the face on it was just adorable and badgers haven’t had their troubles to seek recently.

Population matters
Population matters

Agharta jewellery was lovely as always and I bought three more sets of earrings to add to my collection in the shapes of lizards, dragonflies and dinosaurs! They have a shop on etsy but attend many of the vegan festivals in person.

Beautiful fox and badger bags
Beautiful fox and badger bags

My favourite make up company was in attendance too, Bohemian Chic Minerals. They do a great variety of stuff, from brightly coloured eye shadow, to subtle foundation and bronzer to shimmering lipstick. All their products are suitable for sensitive skin too, which is a real bonus.

Agharta jewellery
Agharta jewellery

All this is to say nothing of the talks I attended. Kate Strong is a world champion triathlete and she was talking about how you can be the best you can by breaking out of the norm. This includes diet of course and she was a very engaging speaker. Inspiring stuff. Mick Walker is a vegan cyclist who has adopted a completely plant based diet in order to keep strong and fit as he gets older. I can only aspire to be as healthy as these two!

Bohemian Chic Minerals
Bohemian Chic Minerals

The whole event was inspiring and I’d highly recommend them, especially for new vegans, or the vegan-curious, so that they can experience the gorgeous food, discover how to live a cruelty free life and get inspired by others’ journeys. It’s a joyous, guilt-free way of life and this festival, along with others like it, embrace that fully. Do try to attend one near you.

Sweet treats from Ananda Foods
Sweet treats from Ananda Foods
My final haul!
My final haul!

 

 

 

Filed Under: Vegan News Tagged With: Charity, Edinburgh, festivals, food, talks, vegan festiavls

Leith Market Vegan Quarter

September 1, 2016 by Tofu Temptress Leave a Comment

Considerit Chocolate's oh-so-true sign
Considerit Chocolate's oh-so-true sign
Considerit Chocolate’s oh-so-true sign

Most towns and cities these days have a farmers’ market and they can be brilliant places for picking up local produce. Edinburgh’s port of Leith has its own market every Saturday, and on the first Saturday of each month this incorporates a ‘Vegan Quarter‘. I went along to the first one back in March. The market runs from 10am till 5pm and I turned up some time before noon. I was both excited and disappointed by what I found.

No cakes left!
No cakes left!

Many stalls, including the ever popular Missy’s Vegan Cupcakes and Cool Jerk, purveyor of pies, were completely sold out. There was nothing left. I wandered around and soon deduced that the vegan quarter in this particular market had been far, far more popular than most stallholders had imagined.

No pies!
No pies!

The only stall I saw who seemed to have brought adequate stock was the ever-reliable Considerit Chocolate, so I purchased a few bars from them. Even Henderson’s, Edinburgh’s veggie temple since the sixties, was running low on grub. I left with my chocolate, both pleased that this idea was so obviously popular and slightly saddened that my haul hadn’t been greater.

Amazing chocolate from Considerit
Amazing chocolate from Considerit

Fast forward four months. I made my way down to Leith a little earlier this time and was incredibly pleased to see every stall fully stocked. In the intervening period, the level of interest had been properly gauged and everyone seemed ready for the predictable hoards. The cupcakes were back, the pies were back, Henderson’s were back with a delicious array of salads and vegan haggis amongst other things, there were bakeries and Sgaia Foods were there with their Mheat.

Mheat from Sgaia foods
Mheat from Sgaia foods

Also in attendance were Go Vegan Scotland, an outreach group who mainly campaign in Edinburgh and Glasgow, providing anyone who wanted to know with information on going vegan. This is a fantastic addition to the vegan quarter. It’s great to woo people with yummy food but having these guys there to tell folk about how they can live a compassionate lifestyle is brilliant.

Go Vegan Scotland information stand
Go Vegan Scotland information stand

My haul this time was much better, incorporating as it did, a macaroni pie. Strangely enough, these were not delicacies I particularly indulged in before I was vegan, but now I have a fascination for them. It made a very good lunch.

Macaroni pies - yum
Macaroni pies – yum

I finished off with an indulgent slab of chocolate banana cake from the All About Patisserie. They are to be found at the vegan quarter every month it seems. Lovely stuff.

The superb All About  Patisserie
The superb All About Patisserie

Of course I had to get some more chocolate bars to take home with me. I knew I’d be in trouble if I didn’t bring at least one treat home. The challenge was keeping my hands off them until I got there…

Chocolate treats to take home
Chocolate treats to take home

 

 

The Leith market vegan quarter happens on the first Saturday of every month. See here for details.

Filed Under: Vegan News Tagged With: Edinburgh, market, produce, stalls, vegan festiavls

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