The Vegan Abundance Festival

The Vegan Abundance Festival at Hulme Community Garden Centre was by far my favourite vegan event this year. It was at the stunning Garden Centre in Hulme just a short 10 minute walk away from Oxford Road station but you feel as if you have been transported to the countryside. I have never been here before but will definitely visit again. The centre had been transformed into a festival with stalls dotted around the venue in between rows of plants. There was vegan pizzas being cooked in a stone oven, plenty of burgers, cake and ice cream for sale and art, jewellery and cosmetics as well as organic fruit and vegetables. The festival was organised by the Vegan Organic Network and there was a romantic and relaxing feel to the event. Highlights of the show was the impressive musicians playing and amazing poetry by Dominic Berry. It was nice to be able to walk around a vegan festival as some are so busy and packed you can hardly move or breathe. Plus it was a nice, rain free day which you have to make the most of in Manchester. When this festival is back I will definitely go again as it is the perfect location to find exciting vegan products and sample all the delicious food.  

I also reviewed this event for Weekend Notes, make sure you visit the page and like the article to spread the Vegan message: http://www.weekendnotes.co.uk/hulme-community-garden-centre/

Such an interesting location- lots of stalls in between the plants. 

A real community garden. Selling bargain plants and running community events.

Taste testing- for research purposes

The perfect lunch spot

Amazing lunch from Tea Time Collective- A great vegan cafe also based in Hulme

Dairy Free Pizza at Dough

Dough, Manchester is a great place for vegans. The pizza restaurant in Manchester's Northern Quarter is great at catering for vegans. You can add vegan cheese onto any vegetarian pizza to make it vegan, they also add on a dairy free card so you can rest assured it is made with the right cheese. 

This pizza is my favourite it is a wild mushroom pizza with dairy free cheese and it tastes amazing! I don't eat out often so it is nice to go somewhere that has vegan options and delicious food. The vegan cheese is very creamy and filling so you might struggle to finish but they also do takeaways so you can take any left overs home in a box and this pizza was even nicer cold. 

Dough is definitely a place to visit if you are in Manchester. The Northern Quarter is also very vegan friendly with a lot of the places catering for different diets. Check it out if you are in the city. 

Vegan Fair Saturday 28th May 2016 Chorlton Irish Club, Manchester

Just a quick reminder for those of you in Manchester, there is a vegan fair this Saturday at Chorlton's Irish Club located at 17 High Lane, Manchester, M21 9DG between 11am-5pm. 

This vegan fair is run by The Vegan Organic Network and there is going to be over 70 stalls selling food, drinks (including alcohol), arts and crafts as well as complementary therapies, live music, wind-solar rickshaw rides and vegan speed dating. 

It is only £3 entry and kids go free so if you are looking for something to do over the weekend this looks like a great event and a chance to find new and exciting vegan products. 

The Cosy Club Manchester

The Cosy Club in Manchester's Corn Exchange is a great place to stop for a bite to eat day or night. With a full, separate vegan menu it is so easy to order vegan food and it means you can go out to eat somewhere with your non-vegan friends and family. You have to ask for the separate menu however it is also available online so you can see the range of options here: http://www.cosyclub.co.uk/uploads/1246.pdf

The vegan options are actually quite impressive and not just the standard salad or chips which some places serve, there is a vegan breakfast along with other breakfast items, panini's, a burger or tabbouleh as mains and plenty of sides or tapas items. All in all it is quite impressive and allows a vegan to have options which is often unheard of!

The actual restaurant is nicely decorated (with the exception of the animal heads why?) It has a vintage, eclectic feel and you can choose to eat in the living room style bar area, the restaurant or outside if there is ever any Manchester sun. One thing that sets this place apart as well is the selection of games, making it a really cool place to come with friends and it is great day or night from breakfast to after work drinks this place is very versatile and has a relaxed atmosphere. I guess it has to with a name like the Cosy Club!

I've been here a few times and have recommended it to friends and family who have all liked the food and there has always been great customer service.

These pictures are from the first time I visited the Cosy Club and had lunch. The portions were huge, the falafel sandwich was delicious and along with chips it is definitely a filling lunch! The prices are good too so you don't have to spend a fortune. I definitely recommend this as somewhere for vegans to eat in Manchester and The Cosy Club have restaurants in other cities too so you might find one near you. The relaxed atmosphere and separate vegan menu make this place a winner, add it to your list of places to visit. 

Find out more here: http://www.cosyclub.co.uk/ 

Vegan Cake at Manchester Craft Centre

As always it's nice to see Vegan options everywhere I go. This delicious Vegan Chocolate and hazelnut brownie is from Manchester's Craft Centre. They always have vegan options and lots of loose leaf teas to choose from. Hopefully more places will follow suit making it easier to eat out. They also have a vegan option on the menu- a toasted sandwich and sell Fentimans soft drinks where many flavours are vegan friendly. 

This is definitely one to visit if you are in Manchester: http://www.craftanddesign.com/

Earth Cafe Manchester

Located below the Buddhist Centre in Manchester is Earth Cafe. This should be on all Vegan's lists as a place to visit. Find it at 16-20 Turner Street, in Manchester's Northern Quarter. 

With an entirely vegan menu you will be spoilt for choice! Although they do serve dairy milk all the food and desserts are vegan and there is a wide variety of non-dairy milks to choose from for hot drinks. The menu consists of an ever changing array of healthy meals made from scratch. 

A platter of four items off the hot food menu will cost you £6. It is all healthy, freshly prepared food which is delicious and hearty, perfect for lunch. You can also get a couple of items or vegan sausage rolls or a Jamaican pasty. The menu changes and uses seasonal food so you don't know what's exactly on the menu until you visit but the food usually available is curries, chili, rice, pies and vegetables. A salad bar is always available and there is a large selection of smoothies. 

The Earth burger, which is always on the menu, is delicious as well and worth trying. And then there are the cakes you will be spoilt for choice! As a vegan you get used to either having no options or just one choice but here as everything is vegan you can choose from chocolate, coffee cake or carrot cake, the desserts change all the time as well so you may have different choices on the day but you can guarantee a delicious dessert and soya cream is available. 

The drinks are varied, there is Whole Earth soda, cold drinks, teas, coffees, smoothies and hot chocolate. Anything you like will be available with a variety of non-dairy milks to add to any drink. 

I am a fan of Earth, it is a friendly, inexpensive and healthy place to eat. I always feel full and happy after eating here and look forward to visiting. Every time I eat here I know I will get a delicious, healthy meal whether I want a big lunch or a quick coffee and cake with friends. It is also one of the most relaxing places, it is a haven in a busy city and a must visit place. 

I'm glad to see the cafe becoming more popular- maybe this is because of Veganuary? Whatever the reason more people should visit as you will not be disappointed. 

Add it to your list of vegan places to try. 

Find out more information here: http://www.earthcafe.co/

Corkers Crisps

There's nothing better than finding something that's suitable for vegans when out and about. These gorgeous sea salt and cider vinegar crisps are delicious and vegan. It's a great twist on a classic flavour with simple ingredients- perfect if you like snacks that aren't over processed and filled with unknown chemicals. 

I found these at Manchester's Craft and Design centre which caters for vegans very well with a range of vegan options. More vegan snacks are needed in cafes as it makes it easier to eat out with friends. 

The Northern Vegan Festival- Saturday 17th October

Are you excited!! The northern vegan festival is tomorrow in Manchester from 10am-6pm and with only £2 entry and over 150 stalls you wont want to miss it. 

The festival is running at four different locations in the city.

Sachas Hotel, Tib Street, M4 1SH will have 100 stalls, talks, poetry readings and speed dating for all you beautiful single vegans. 

The Methodist Church, Oldham Street, M1 1JQ will have 74 stalls and will also be running speed dating events. 

V Revolution, 88 Oldham Street, M4 1LF will be showing films all day. 

The Thirsty Scholar, 50 Wakefield Street, M1 5NP will have a vegan beer and cider festival. This venue is open until 3am.

If you are in Manchester or can get here tomorrow make sure you check out the festival, this is one of the best ways to learn about the vegan lifestyle, check out products you've never heard of and support vegan businesses. 

Vegan hot chocolate at Bonbon Chocolate Boutique

 Looking for great tasting vegan hot chocolate? Then look no further than Bonbon Chocolate Boutique in Manchester. If you are not looking for great tasting vegan hot chocolate then why aren't you? You should be trust me! 

One of the things that some people may worry about when going vegan is not being able to eat chocolate- milk chocolate bars are everywhere and most people don't know many alternatives but luckily vegan chocolate has come along way, there are many brands that taste amazing and are truly delicious and the same can be said for vegan hot chocolate. 

The delicious drink made with pure chocolate and water can be found at Bonbon Chocolate Boutique. This hidden gem in Manchester's Northern Quarter is an artisan chocolatier and cafe serving handmade chocolates as well as a great selection of treats many of them vegan. One popular brand booja booja is sold here, the amazing selection of dairy free chocolates in a range of flavours make the perfect gift for a vegan friend or even a treat for yourself. 

The cafe is known for it's hot chocolate and it's easy to see why, it's suitable for vegans and is available to have in different flavours, the chocolate orange is delicious. Other flavours include salted caramel and chili. This place is well worth a visit to grab a hot drink and pick up some vegan essentials...chocolate! It just shows that many places are now catering for vegans and supplying alternatives to dairy. 

Make time for a visit to this quaint little cafe and indulge in some vegan chocolaty goodness. 

Visit www.bonbonchocolate.co.uk for more information.