Vegan pizza hits the high street

Pizza chain Zizzi is the first UK restaurant chain to offer a vegan cheese substitute on its pizzas.

Last year Pizza Express released the very tasty cheese-less Pianta but now Zizzi has gone one step further with its mozzarella alternative which is vegan and gluten free.

Welcome to the family, vegan pizza! Find out more - https://t.co/4T5qnl8vbH #ColourMeZizzi #Vegan #Pizza pic.twitter.com/Bo9CqX9gbI

— Zizzi Ristorante (@WeAreZizzi) March 15, 2016

According to Zizzi's blog, the dairy free Mozzarisella is 100% vegan, 100% organic and made entirely from germinated, Italian whole rice.

 For those keeping preservatives to the minimum or with other intolerances to worry about, you'll be happy to know this new menu option is also free from soya, gluten, lactose, food colouring and preservatives!

Zizzi, we salute you and can't wait to check out the new big cheese in town!

More info on this and the other new additions to Zizzi's Italian inspired menu can be found here.

Veg Fest Brighton

The south's biggest all-vegan festival is over for another year. This inspiring two-day event is colourful, mouth-watering and let's face it, a little overwhelming!

Veg Fest takes place at The Brighton Centre; it's the second year it's been run at this venue and once again it was a packed event. Each year thousands of vegans and vegetarians flock from all over - to sample food, meet up with friends and make the most of this unique shopping experience.

Here you can find vegan cupcakes in myriad colours and flavours, raw sweet treats, cruelty-free clothes and shoes, cooking demos, and even vegan comedy!

It's a little pricey to get in; £10 on the door - or £7 in advance (plus booking fee and postage), but it's easy to make a whole day of it, making it well worth the money. Many of the stalls offer show specials; I came away with bags of goodies for renewing my Vegan Life magazine subscription and signing up to Vegan Society membership. Plus there's many a free sample to be had and sneaky taster to be tested.

Veg Fest really is a must for all veggies and vegans. The next Veg Fest event happens in Bristol in May. Full info can be found on the website.

Vegan Caviar from Veg Caviar Club

Ms Cupcake's tempting treats!

Marshmallow lollies from my
favourite Ananda Foods

A rainbow of 4-1 spiraliser results!

Mallows vegan marshmallows

Tyne Chease's nut cheese 

Piles of deli treats

Juices to go (to balance out the cake!)

Faux meat from Grown Not Born

The latest issue of Vegan Life

The March issue of Vegan Life popped through my door this week and it's another jam packed magazine.

Highlights of this edition include:

• Vegan wedding planning; there's a series of articles which make ideal reading, if like me, you're planning a meat-free wedding. It includes tips for a green-themed wedding, drinks and even eco-friendly flowers.
• An interview with cartoonist Vegan Sidekick and actress Evanna Lynch (aka Luna Lovegood)
• The great fig debate; apparently figs can contain wasps - who knew?!

Recipes to look out for include:

• Sweet potato roulade with tofu ricotta
• Spelt oatmeal raisin cookies
• Soba peanut noodles
• Easy Peasy Crepes

I have to say the crepes are first on my list to make! Yum!

A photo posted by Vegan Life Magazine (@veganlife_mag) on Feb 1, 2016 at 2:52am PST

If you've not seen Vegan Life before then look out for it in Sainsbury's, Tesco and all good newsagents. You can also subscribe here: http://veganlifemag.co.uk/