Domino’s UK to launch vegan chicken pizza for Veganuary

From veganfoodandliving.com

Domino's is finally launching its first meat-alternative, with a vegan chicken pizza and Southern-fried nuggets coming in January

This is not a drill! A vegan chicken pizza is coming to Domino’s!

The brand new Chick-Ain’t pizza is launching for Veganuary from all Domino’s stores, adding to the existing Vegan Margarita and Vegan Vegi Supreme.

Featuring vegan cheese, plant-based soya chicken strips, crunchy onions, and green and red peppers, the Chick-Ain’t is sure to be a hit amongst both vegans and flexitarians.

But that’s not all Domino’s is launching for Veganuary! The legendary pizza chain is also releasing crispy Southern-fried nuggets. The new vegan side will be served with a vegan version of the iconic Garlic & Herb dip.

‘A match made in heaven’

In a statement sent to Vegan Food and Living, Melanie Howe, Domino’s Legume Legend said: “Our food innovation team haven’t stopped experimenting in the test kitchen since we launched our Vegan-Friendly range a few months ago and we just know our customers are going to adore the Chick-Ain’t pizza and Vegan Nuggets.

“Feedback on the existing range has been overwhelmingly good and it’s brilliant to offer even more choice to customers. These delicious additions land in stores just in time for the start of Veganuary, pizza and plants truly are a match made in heaven!”

Successful vegan options

Back in October, Domino’s described the response to its vegan pizzas as ‘very encouraging’. They had seen a noticeable surge in sales, demonstrating the power of the vegan and flexitarian consumer.

Rival chains Papa Johns and Pizza Hut have also seen huge increases in sales thanks to their vegan options. In fact, Papa Johns’ The Vegan Works was crowned ‘Best Vegan Pizza’ at the PETA Vegan Awards 2020.

It’s great news that Domino’s is finally branching into meat alternatives, something which its rivals have been doing for a while now, and we can’t wait to get our hands on their new pizza!

The new vegan chicken pizza and southern-fried nuggets will be available from all Domino’s outlets from the 4th January 2021. 

https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/news/dominos-launch-vegan-chicken-pizza-for-veganuary/

How Slutty Vegan is growing during the pandemic

From edition.cnn.com

New York (CNN Business)Becoming a vegan didn't stop Pinky Cole's cravings for fast food. When she got sick of not being able to find the vegan options she wanted, she decided to solve the problem herself. So in 2018 she opened Slutty Vegan, an Atlanta-based restaurant designed to upend expectations with plant-based burgers that could taste good and be a little fun too.

Other fast-food chains might have the Whopper or the Big Mac — Slutty Vegan has the One Night Stand, loaded with vegan cheese, vegan bacon, caramelized onions, lettuce and tomato, and the Super Slut, with guacamole, jalapeño and vegan cheese.

Since it opened, Slutty Vegan has gained attention from celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Tiffany Haddish and Usher. People caught wind of the trendy new spot, and lines spilled out the door. A visit to Slutty Vegan is designed to feel like going to a party: First-time customers are called "virgins" and cheered.

A visit to Slutty Vegan should feel like going to a party

"We have amazing vegan restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia but I tagged on an experience to it to help people reimagine food," said Cole. The name, she said, has helped as well. "If I would have named it Pinky's Vegan, I probably wouldn't have had lines out the door."

Now Cole is facing her biggest test yet: expanding Slutty Vegan during the pandemic. She's planning to venture beyond her home base for a total of about 13 restaurants within a year and a half.

"We are about to branch out outside of Atlanta and have Slutty Vegans everywhere," she said. Alabama is on deck. Beyond that, the company didn't specifying where they'll be, but Cole noted that she's targeting dense locations with few vegan options. The company plans to finance the expansion with its own capital and grants from municipalities. It's also open to possible relationships with investors, said Jason Crain, the company's chief revenue officer. "Right now we're not planning on going out to raise any additional capital," he said, noting that fundraising is "up for consideration."

Taking a local hit to new cities is always a challenge. For one thing, there's the chance that food that resonates in one region won't take off with consumers in another. For another, there's the new expenses, like real estate and hiring staff.

Cole has opened two restaurants during the pandemic so far, bringing her current number of brick-and-mortar locations to three, plus two food trucks. (One of the restaurant locations has temporarily shuttered because of damage to a nearby building.) This month, Cole also closed a $1.4 million deal for a new headquarters for the chain in Atlanta's Edgewood district.

Expansion could be especially challenging right now. A horrifying number of restaurants have been unable to survive the blow dealt by the pandemic. Nationwide, about 110,000 restaurants — or 17% of all US restaurants — have closed this year, according to the National Restaurant Association. Roughly 10,000 of those have shuttered over the past three months, the association said.

But the company believes it's the right time to expand, according to Crain. Slutty Vegan's revenue has increased by over 100% this year, he said. And they want to build on that momentum before someone else does.

"We want to make sure that we're not making it easier for our competitors and others to enter this space," he said. "It really boils down to striking while the iron is hot."

Cole is confident she can make it work. The crisis could have ended Slutty Vegan. But the brand is thriving, she said.

"I have done the most business that I've ever done," she said.

An opportune moment

When Cole started Slutty Vegan, mainstream fast food restaurants weren't serving plant-based meals.

"I know, because I would have been eating them," said Cole, who has been vegan for seven years.

But, she noted, when she opened Slutty Vegan, it was "the opportune time." In 2018, interest in plant-based alternatives to animal products was increasing thanks in part to a significant shift in the kinds of alternatives on offer. The following year, major fast food chains started adding plant-based meals to their menus.

In 2019, Burger King tested out its Impossible Whopper and quickly rolled it out nationally. Since then, Dunkin' and Starbucks (SBUX) have started selling plant-based breakfast sandwiches, and McDonald's (MCD) has announced a new line of plant-based products, including a McPlant burger. And throughout the pandemic, Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat (BYND), which both make plant-based meat alternatives, have greatly expanded their retail footprints, making the protein even more available to interested customers. The proliferation of the trend may make it easier for Cole to introduce the concept to new cities.

And serving only vegan food helped her avoid some of the supply chain pitfalls other restaurants faced during the pandemic.

When the country's major meat processors paused production at some of their plants because workers fell ill with Covid-19, restaurants had a hard time sourcing affordable meat. Even Wendy's (WEN) reported that it was running low. Cole said she didn't have supply chain issues at her restaurants.

A Slutty Vegan food truck.

Another thing that helped boost sales during the pandemic: Slutty Vegan's status as a business owned by a Black woman.

Around the time that Black Lives Matter protests spread across the country this spring and summer, Cole clocked a jump in sales.

"We noticed that we just got an influx of people wanting to support small, black-owned, women-owned businesses," she said.

Another crucial growth engine: Buzz around the brand. The party atmosphere at Slutty Vegan restaurants is a key part of its strategy. If people are excited about visiting the store, they'll be willing to shell out for meals that can cost up to $19 each.

"It's like going to Disney world or going to a concert," Crain said. "We bring the talent to you, the talent is entertaining, they're going to engage you, you're going to eat well, and you're going to feel fulfilled after you leave our establishments."

Celebrity interest in Slutty Vegan has remained strong.

If you scroll through the brand's Instagram account, which has over 400,000 followers, you'll see videos of celebrities lauding the brand or waiting in line.

One post shows rapper Offset making burgers in Slutty Vegan's food truck, and another features former pro basketball player Dikembe Mutombo standing in front of it. One video shows rapper and activist Common talk up Slutty Vegan as he encourages listeners to vote.

Sustaining growth will be crucial as Slutty Vegan expands. That type of excitement could help. Cole has also set up pop ups in other cities to spread the word and get people interested.

"We made it cool, which is the most beautiful thing of it all," said Cole. "We've been able to infuse veganism and the food into the culture."

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/17/business/slutty-vegan-expansion/index.html

What to Get a Vegan for Christmas

From feast-magazine.co.uk

Christmas is going to be a bit different for most families this year. You may be swapping traditional family get-togethers around the fire with shouting at each other to unmute over Zoom. You might have to cook a smaller dinner this year, but still end up with a mountain of dishes to wash. And you might have to forego visiting shopping centres and look online for gifts this year.

One area it can be much harder than expected to shop in is anything vegan related if you don’t know where to look. If you’re buying gifts for someone you know who has recently become vegan or is about to try it out for the first time as part of Veganuary, you’ll probably want to shop for something that isn’t just lifted from the vegan aisle of the supermarket. To help make finding a gift easier, here are five unique vegan gifts that, in my opinion, are actually quite good.

Vegan Leisurewear/Gymwear

2020 has definitely been the year for leisurewear, especially for those of us who have swapped office work clothes for comfy leggings and tracksuit bottoms when working from home. Many people don’t know that there is such a thing as vegan clothing, but it does exist. Apart from the obvious, vegan clothing lines tend to use recycled products and avoid sweatshops like the cheap stuff you get on the high street.

And with those weeks after Xmas seeing everyone hit the gym again, ethical gym wear for someone who is into their fitness is a winner. Brands like Viva La Vegan and People Tree have affordable options online.

A nice glass of Baileys

How could a glass of cream liqueur remotely be vegan? Well, Baileys have made a new version of their iconic drink which uses almond milk instead of dairy. If it’s a tradition to have some in the fridge over Christmas, getting the vegan-friendly version (named Baileys Almande) is a lovely little surprise.

Vegan Skincare

Everyone loves a bit of pampering at Christmas, and many stores now have a limited range of vegan beauty and skincare products. Everyone automatically thinks of shopping at Lush or The Body Shop, which are both great, but I recommend doing a bit more research and finding brands online, which are a little more exclusive. After all, there’s only so many bath bombs someone will like.

Personally, I recommend visiting Skinsider or Aesop.

Vegan Subscription Boxes

While it has taken strides in the last few years, vegan food can still be incredibly hit and miss. For every great new iteration of a familiar favourite (looking at you Meatless Meatball Subway), there are other vegan alternatives which put you off eating altogether.

When it’s all about discovering new flavours, I recommend signing someone up for a vegan subscription box.  The Vegan Kind does a great food box which has a mixture of healthy foods and downright dirty treats, something every vegan secretly wants.

Marshmallows

Why would I recommend something as simple as marshmallows as a great vegan Christmas gift? Well, if your family is roasting them over the fire or popping them in hot chocolate, any vegans in attendance can’t eat them.

With marshmallows containing gelatin, which is an animal protein, the simplest of sweet treats is usually something a vegan can’t go near. That won’t happen this Christmas though if you get some vegan marshmallows delivered quickly on amazon.  Dandies and Ananda’s are two companies that make vegan alternatives just as good are regular marshmallows. Trust me, I know now from personal experience it is much harder to make them yourself than you’d imagine.

Now you can shop for something special!

I hope this has highlighted some of the more unique vegan gifts available that aren’t just a gift set from the high street. The more you look into it, the better gifts you’ll find.

https://www.feast-magazine.co.uk/shopping/what-to-get-a-vegan-for-christmas-that-are-actually-good-29982

Skinny entrepreneur says becoming vegan has transformed him into a muscular millionaire making $5M-a-year

From thesun.co.uk

A SKINNY entrepreneur said that becoming vegan has transformed him into a muscular millionaire making $5million-a-year.

Rahul Saggu, 27, said that he knew he was always going to have to put in the work to get the physique he'd always dreamed of, but got a kickstart swapping animal products for vegetables.

At the same time, the mortgage specialist was trying to forge a successful career in finance, while dealing with the deaths of his four best friends - including his father - a training regime and busy social life.

Saggu, who works in Toronto, Canada, switched to being vegan roughly 10 years ago with his twin brother and says he owes his financial support to the life change.

Saggu makes $5million a year    Credit: Rahul Saggu

Since becoming vegan, he said: "My concentration improved drastically and so did my gains in the gym. I've always been very disciplined and had very strict set routines which help me make the most out of my days.

"But it's hard to focus if you're running on fumes - no matter how hard you try.

"When I went vegan I suddenly found that my concentration and productivity went through the roof.

"I was making better decisions faster and I was making a lot more money. I still had energy at the end of the day and my recovery time increased significantly.

Saggu trains six times a week without fail and follows a strict regime, implemented by his late father.

Part of this strict regime involves getting up every day, including weekends, at 5.30am and practicing breathing exercises before moving on to weights and cardio.

The mortgage expert has carried this mantra on and says it enabled him to deal with a lot of deaths from the people closest to him in a nine-year span.

He said: "Without discipline, I would have folded and thrown in the towel. I went through hell and the only way to get out was to become everything I knew I could be. Working on myself allowed me to be able to take on all of life’s challenges.

"Forcing myself to wake up early is the first accomplishment of my day, followed by a workout and getting my day structured.

"I put myself in uncomfortable situations on purpose and I’ll even make up scenarios and stories in my head.

"Life will always have resistance and if you’re used to getting through things everyday nothing can stop you. I would choose mental toughness over physical toughness any day of the week.

"I have always dreamt of greatness my entire life. I draw a lot of inspirations from movies and sports icons- Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, Michael Jordan.

"When I see others do good I get inspired, others get jealous- there’s a difference. My advice would be to sit down in a quiet room and write down exactly what you want out of life and just go do it.

"Don't over complicate it, don’t overthink it. Overthinking leads to paralysis. Have tunnel vision and say no to things that don't serve your goals and purpose. And take massive action."

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13499634/entrepreneur-millionaire-vegan-transformation/

My Chemical Romance Launches Vegan Makeup Line, Sells Out Immediately

From vegnews.com

The band’s bold three-piece collection is inspired by their 2004 album, Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge

Rock band My Chemical Romance recently launched a vegan makeup line that sold out in one day. The limited-edition collection, inspired by the band’s 2004 album Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, was created in partnership with cosmetic company Hipdot.com and features a double-ended liquid liner, a double-ended retractable eye shadow brush, and a nine colour eyeshadow palette with shades named after the album’s most famous lyrics, such as All The Ghosts (a gunmetal grey, influenced by “The Ghost of You”) and a rose red named Starless Eyes, inspired by “It’s Not a Fashion Statement, It’s a F*cking Deathwish.” The collection also includes an autographed collector’s box with all three products.   

“The rock music scene has always used makeup as a tool for further expression,” Jeff Sellinger, Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer of HipDot, said. “The band’s history of bold hits and unique sound aligns with the sort of creators we at HipDot are, and so believe this would be the perfect partnership. We are excited to bring My Chemical Romance’s cult fan-following the homage they never knew they needed.”

Music-inspired makeup
Last year, pop star Kesha launched vegan makeup collection Kesha Rose Beauty on Hipdot.com that features a 12-color eyeshadow palette, liquid liner, and lipstick/lipgloss duos in shades named after songs on her latest album, High Road.

https://vegnews.com/2020/12/my-chemical-romance-launches-vegan-makeup-line-sells-out-immediately

How to have an actually good vegan Christmas dinner

From timeout.com

Going meat-free this Christmas? Here vegan chef Louise Palmer-Masterton shares her top tips

For most people, Christmas is synonymous with a blowout meal: hours of prep, dangerously high stress levels, and loads and loads and loads and loads of nice food.

So it’s a shame many of the vegans and vegetarians among us often have to make do with just the sides – or alternatively, are left to agonise yet again over which beige-brown centrepiece we’re going to dazzle our long-suffering relatives with this year. The choice!

Though it may make many wizened vegetarians shudder, the nut roast is always a good option, says Louise Palmer-Masterton, founder of the vegan Stem & Glory restaurants in London and Cambridge. The trick is simply to ensure it’s moist enough, and do your best to make it look the delicious, ceremonious part.

Notepad at the ready? Here Palmer-Masterton shares her six top tips for an entirely vegan Christmas dinner – including her family’s coveted meat-free gravy recipe.

🎄 1.   Buy a mould for the nut roast

‘I’ve made many nut roasts over the years, but only truly been satisfied with a few of them. First of all, and very importantly, you’ve got to make it look good. A few years ago, I purchased a ring mould, which makes it a real centrepiece.’

🎄 2.   Chuck in a bit of chestnut purée

‘You don’t want a nut roast that collapses when you slice it. My tip is to use fewer dry nuts, in favour of chestnuts and a little chestnut purée. Adding things like grated apple gives a delicious depth of flavour, as well as great texture.’

🎄 3.   Wrap it up in pastry

‘To liven the roast up a little, you could encase the whole thing in vegan puff pastry. Feeling even more daring? Covering the nut mixture in a layer of mushroom purée will turn it into an instant nut wellington. Side note: to make things even funner, you could even create small individual nut roasts or wellingtons.’

🎄 4.   Pimp up your veg

‘As someone who loves creative cooking, Christmas provides great opportunities to shake things up a little when it comes to sides (all too often bland and, you know, basically the same every year). Here are some ideas: celeriac mash, minted pea purée, maple-roasted swede chips, spicy sprouts or red cabbage with port and orange.’

_{Photograph: Shutterstock}

🎄 5. Make the stuffing yourself

‘It’s a lot easier than you might think. Mix homemade fresh and semi-dried breadcrumbs, with fresh and dried herbs, minced onion salt and a dollop of melted vegan butter. Bake for 25 minutes. It’s fabulous and so much better than shop-bought.’

🎄 6.   Whip up a knockout vegan gravy

‘Gravy can make or break a roast, so if you go for just one of these tips, make it this one. I developed my recipe for onion gravy many years ago, and generally have to make quadruple portions of the stuff – that’s how popular it is. Here’s the recipe:

Vegan onion gravy

This will make 300ml, which serves two people who really love gravy. In my house, I make four times this much, for six to eight people. Just multiply as you see fit.

1 medium onion (I prefer red onions)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp plain flour (you can use cornflour for a gluten-free gravy)
1 tsp marmite
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
300ml vegetable stock

Halve the onion and cut it into thin slices. Cook gently in the olive oil for ten minutes until soft but not browned. Add the stock, soy sauce, marmite and balsamic. Mix the flour with three tbsp of water until smooth. Add to the gravy mix and stir well. Bring gently to the boil, stirring continuously, and simmer for 15 minutes, still stirring frequently. Serve in a warmed jug, piping hot.’

https://www.timeout.com/food-and-drink/best-vegan-vegetarian-christmas-dinner-tips

Co-op to launch new products for Veganuary, including vegan steaks

From veganfoodandliving.com

Co-op is launching more products into its Gro range for Veganuary, including some enticing vegan steaks and kievs

With Veganuary right around the corner, it’s that time of year when all the supermarkets expand their vegan ranges. Earlier this month, Veganuary revealed that past participants had saved a whopping 100,000 tonnes of CO2.

What started as a few thousand people eating more veg has now become one of the most important months on the retail calendar.

Co-op’s vegan range, Gro, is launching a selection of new products for Veganuary 2021 which “real foodies will love”. The drop of products will ‘celebrate the deliciousness of veg’ and provide both existing vegans and those participating in Vegnauary something new to try.

 

Meat-free wonders

While the range is mostly veg-focused, a few of the new products involve plant-based meat.

Following in the footsteps of Marks and Spencer and Tesco, Co-op is launching vegan Chick’n Kievs made with plant protein, roast garlic and crunchy breadcrumbs. Kievs are a staple meal in the British foodie world, and with soon to be three supermarket options to choose from, there won’t be any missing out!

Moreover, Gro is also launching a pack of 2 Sizzle Steaks, made from mushroom and plant-protein. The retailer says they are a ‘tender’ alternative to the real thing and will make a great addition to the existing vegan steak market. Steak Frites anyone?

Living on the veg

Co-op is, however, remaining largely veg-based with the rest of its new launches.

New in the Gro range is the Spiced Squash and Cauliflower Pie, perfect as a meal for one. The crumb-topped pie is filled with chickpeas, butternut squash and cauliflower in a spicy coconut sauce.

Other notable mentions include Arrabiata Ravioli, Teriyaki Mushroom Noodles, and a mushroom-based Meatball Marinara Linguine.

With so many new products already on the agenda, we can’t wait to see what else Veganuary 2021 brings!

The new products will be available in Co-op stores from January 6th