The VegfestUK London annual vegan food festival is hitting the capital on October 10th-11th bringing with it some seriously indulgent veggie delicacies. VegfestUK originally started in Bristol in 2003 and has since expanded to Brighton in 2009 and London in 2013.
The London event was attended by nearly 20,000 visitors in 2014 and due to this success it has moved to Olympia Central (Levels 1 and 3).
This year promises everything from gourmet chocolate, sushi, pancakes, chocolate éclairs and even premium matured cheeses –all meat and dairy free!The event is perfect for veggies, vegans, veggie-curious, food lovers and those with an interest in sustainability and the environment.
Planning your visit
As a veteran of last year’s festival it is good to plan ahead as there is a lot going on. Ahead of the event download the programme so you don’t miss anything. On the day make sure you get there before lunch (it opens 10am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday) so you can eye up the 15 caterers and 200 stall holders on Level 1 serving globally inspired vegan cuisines.
Try the free gourmet food samples which include fully matured gourmet cheeses, strong melting cheeses, gourmet raw chocolate and puddings. Then when your appetite is suitably whet, choose what you want for main. Lunch choices this year include ‘Duck’, ‘Pork’, and sweet and sour, South Indian dosas and sustainable sushi street food.
For dessert check out the tarts and cakes at one of the bakery stalls or re-visit one of the ice cream or chocolate stalls that caught your eye earlier. You can also grab a pint at the Pitfield Brewer.
On Level 3 there are presentations and talks on everything from nutrition and raw foods to animal rights and activism. There are also cooking demos from nutritionist, chef, presenter and author, Christine Bailey and Vegan Society chef Nishma Shah. Plus there’s a Living Raw Prep Zone featuring raw food guru, Kate Magic and Rocking Raw Chef, Barbara Fernandez.
If that isn’t enough there is a performance area with comedy and live music, a cinema and lots of stuff for kids including the TeenVGN Zone, kids’ entertainment and kids’ cookery classes.
Tickets and info
Tickets are ‘buy one get one half price’ before October 3rd so make sure you book before that. Otherwise advance tickets are £10 (standard), £6 (concessions). Tickets on the gate are £12 (standard), £8 (concessions).Kids under 16 are free.
VegfestUK London 2015, takes place at Olympia Central on October 10th-11th. Opening hours are 11am-7pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday. Admission is by both advance tickets and payment on the gate.
For more information or tickets please visit http://london.vegfest.co.uk/
