#VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN FOOD HERO: CHANGEKITCHEN CIC. AWARD WINNING VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN EVENT CATERING

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Catering, Events, Food, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Pop up's, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

I came accross ChangeKitchen CIC Community Interest company via Twitter when I began my Vegetarian Food blog six months ago.

ChangeKitchen are an award winning vegetarian and vegan catering company and social enterprise based in Birmingham and to me is a real vegetarian and vegan food hero in the city.

http://www.changekitchen.co.uk

ChangeKitchen cater for corporate events, weddings, civil partnerships, and community gatherings and run a monthly pop up cafe.

ChangeKitchen offer innovative vegetarian and vegan menus, using local, organic, and seasonal ingredients. The idea is to provide, create and serve dleicious and healthy, nuritious and ethical dishes that can be shared and enjoyed by all.

A sound philosophy 🙂

Birgit Kehrer is the individual behind the enterprise. She is a passionate vegetarian and entrepreneur who has developed the idea of the business through her love of growing vegetables as a child (see website for her story)

She plays a key hands on role in all that Change Kitchen do. She is the lead cook, trainer, and business manager and currently runs a programme of community workshops and training (See website) and can be contacted on 07828 825 850.

ChangeKitchen are proud to cook for disadvantaged and socailly excluded people and have worked with SIFA (who work with the homeless).

They also provide a 5 a day budget cookery class( see website for details)

Their food philosophy is about sharing a meal. The food is fully vegetarian (always with vegan and gluten-free options) and everyone shares food from the table, bringing people together, celebrating diversity through good healthy dishes and the community. Food from all over the world is served.

Their cafe is now permanently at Stirchley Baths in Stirchley.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/vegiefoodie.com/2016/02/01/vegetarian-change-kitchen-now-serving-at-stirchley-baths-birmingham/amp/?client=safari

ChangeKitchen are a real vegetarian and vegan food hero providing innovative, healthy and nutritious food which supports a healthy life style and healthy community.

Has anyone been to a ChangeKitchen? What did you think?

ChangeKitchen CIC

2-4 Bournville Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham,B30 2JT

http://www.facebook/changekitchen

@changekitchen

Birgit.Kehrer@changekitchen.co.uk

25Sep2014

KUSKUS FOODS: VEGETARIAN STREET FOOD HEAVEN AT A FARMERS MARKET NEAR YOU

Posted in Events, Festivals, Food Festivals, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Moseley, Pop up's, Street Food, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

Streetfoodin Birmingham is a major success story, yet there aren’t that many completely Vegetarian and vegan traders that showcase their food.

One of the vegetarian and vegan traders is KuskusFoods who specialise in vegetarian food inspired by the Middle East.

They are a family business who produce quality freshly prepared inspirational receipes for Farmers Markets, Corporate events, and private functions.

A real vegetarian and vegan food hero.

Begining over 20 years ago, Moses the chef learnt his recipes in the Middle East and then had the idea of creating a business that would attend farmers markets showcasing all he learnt in the countries he visited. Fresh, healthy, Middle Eastern food.

Moseley Farmers Market is one of the places to find KusKus foods where they provide high quality veggie and vegan dishes.

Kus Kus Foods are Vegetarian Society approved and can be found at Moseley Farmers Market on the last Saturday of the month and the MAC food fair on the last Sunday of the month. This weekend. As well as Solihull, Stratford Upon Avon and Harborne on other dates. See below.

Note They will be at The Malvern Autumn show this weekend. Saturday and Sunday.

Dishes such as
Lebanese Falafal with naked humous,
Arabic veggie kebabs with sweet chilli,
Lebanese Mousaaka,
Moroccan plum and sweet potato tagine.

are available at the venues below.

The food by Kus Kus Foods sounds yummy, I haven’t tried it yet, but please look out for them at a food market near you.

Kus Kus Foods for a taste of veggie/vegan food heaven.

Office: 0121 373 2805
@kuskusfoods
http://www.kuskusfoods.co.uk

22Sep2014

TALL POPPY FOODS: VEGETARIAN/VEGAN FOOD WITH GOOD TASTE

Posted in Bakery, Cake, Catering, Coffee, Food, Independent, Independent Birmingham, shops, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

Tall Poppy Foods are a small family based food company based in the Selly Oak area of Birminghamthat specialises in delicious 100% Vegan Foods.

Tall Poppy Foods have been running since October 2012 selling cupcakes online and catering for events. such as weddings, with wedding cakes. They can also be seen at farmers markets.

Their mission is to break the stereotype that Vegan and Vegetarian food together can put a bad taste in people’s mouths, and believe that good tasting food should be available to everyone whatever their dietry requirements.

Tall Poppy Foods cakes are dairy, egg, honey, lactose, and animal by product free and are lovely. They are 100% suitable for vegetarians and vegans and their ingredients are ethically sourced. Tall Poppy foods use organic flour from renowned millers Shipton Mill.

I have enjoyed their cup cakes at Veg Out Cafe in Kings Heath, they taste beautiful.

Tall Poppy foods provide foods and cakes for all occasions and deliver 15-20 miles from Birmingham. They can deliver further if they have advanced notice.

They can be contacted via their website http://www.tallpoppyfoods.co.uk
Their website has full details of their products.

Tall Poppy Foods also sell gourmet coffee, wraps and sandwiches, and real fruit smoothies.

They are a real vegetarian/vegan food hero.

Twitter: @TallPoppyFoods
Facebook/ TallPoppyCakes

email them for orders also at info@TallPoppyFoods.co.uk

16Sep2014

VEG OUT CAFE: A VEGETARIAN LUNCH IN KINGS HEATH BIRMINGHAM

Posted in Breakfasts, Cafés and Restaurants, Cake, Coffee, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Kings Heath, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

Kings Heath has numerous good eating options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the vegetarian diner. In fact there are so many options its hard to choose. It is the same for Moseley, but that is for another day 🙂

Veg Out Cafe, sits just off the main High Street on Poplar Road amongst such foodie jewels as Blue Ginger and Maison Maici. It is completely vegetarian and vegan, which is pure joy to myself and many others that love the relaxed, friendly vibe of this enticing cafe.

I had only eaten their once before, see previous review.

The food served is tasty and wholesome and has a simplicity that is endearing and welcome. At lunch time this sits perfectly with Ruth and myself’s requirements, and our appetites. 🙂

We visited on a Saturday lunch time. Veg Out Cafe is a light and smart looking cafe, descorated in pastel colours and with art work adorning the walls, is a bright cheeerful place to spend an hour or so.

It is very community based, people know each other, gather, and chat, its chirpy, service is friendly and welcoming.

We opted to share a small plate of pure corn nachos for a starter. A mixture of tortilla chips, served with corriander, sour cream, tomato chilli salsa, fresh avocado with a lovely smothering of English Chedder cheese. Its an excellent dish, very tasty, with good contrasting flavours with the crunch of the tortilla chips. Delicious. A great plate to share. £5.95 small plate.

To follow I chose the Middle Eastern Falafal. a wrap stuffed with falafal balls, served with humous, red onion, and tomato salsa with a salad, olives, sour cream and mint. I love falafals, and can recommend this dish, its generous in size and with the lovely flavours and textures works well in a wrap. The falafals were well made and for £7.95 good value.

Ruth had the Lebanese Flat Bread which was smothered with goats cheese and topped with griddled mushrooms, garlic and parsley. Ruth thought there was too much goats cheese on the bread and that this overwhelmed the dish, though she said this maybe personal taste, and that is was enjoyable all the same. Cost £7.95.

For lunch Veg Out also offer griddled sandwiches, omelettes, and salads. All the food is freshly prepared and looks excellent from the other tables around us.

In the evening on Friday’s and Saturday’s Veg Out offer a full menu with BYO wine. A good value meal, one for me to try next:) They also offer a brunch/breakfast menu on a Sunday from 10am.

Veg Out also do a full vegan night once a month.

This sounds good.

Keep and eye on facebook and twitter for menus and details.

There are good vegan options on the menu too:)

Veg Out Cafe is a delightful cafe in Kings Heath. For a relaxed lunch, in a bustling buzzy setting it can’t be beaten. The food is lovely, and for any vegetarian or vegan it would be foolish not to visit.

It’s a place to come back too over and over. A place for everyone.

Veg Out Cafe
46 Poplar Road
Kings Heath
Birmingham
B14 7AG

Twitter.com/CafeVegOut

Facebook.com/CafeVegOut

http://www.enjoykingsheath.com

We paid for our meal in full. All opinions are my own and honest of the experience.

4Sep2014

KINGSHEATH STREET FESTIVAL 7th SEPTEMBER 11AM-8pm YORK ROAD

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Events, Festivals, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Kings Heath, Street Food, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

This Sunday 7th September sees The Kings Heath Street Festival hit York Road in Kings Heath. This is from 11am-8pm.

This is organised by Enjoy Kings Heath and is a day long celebration of everything that makes Kings Heath in South Birmingham so unique and it is FREE. 🙂

Joining forces with businesses to bring the community together, with entertainment, outdoor bar area, street food, and market stalls. and a live music stage.

There will be over 25 stalls showcasing their wares and products mostly independent traders.

Foodie options will include an abundance for veggies and vegans,

Such as Veg out Cafe who will have their vegan burger and falafels.

Byzantium will have a full tapas menu inside and out. Including many veggie options.

Loco Lounge will be there.

Cherry Reds will be providing their lovely food too.

The Sun at the Station will be showcasing acoustic acts.

When I hear of more foodie stalls I will let you know.

The event should show case all that is good about Kings Heath.

And it is FREE!

http://www.enjoykingsheath.com

facebook.com/EnjoyKingsHeath

Twitter: @enjoykingsheath

Thanks for reading.

26Aug2014

#VEGGIE/VEGAN FOOD HEROES: 100% VEGAN SHOP AND THE WAREHOUSE CAFE

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Catering, Independent, Independent Birmingham, shops, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

The second and third veggie/vegan Food Heroes are the
100% Vegan Shop and The Warehouse Cafe in Digbeth Birmingham.

They are both housed in the same building, on Alison Street, Digbeth near the Bull Ring, Selfridges and Moor Street Station.

The 100% Vegan Shop is an independent one stop shop which aims to promote the vegan cause by being a good honest business.

They are passionate about all things vegan, from good honest whole food staples to the little treats that are hard to find. It was started by a couple of vegans who wanted Birmingham to have a good honest business with exciting products, promoting the vegan cause. They are based in The Friends of The Earth Warehouse building in Digbeth.

They stock, vegan alternatives to traditional products, such as cheese, meats, ice cream, dried fruits, flour, nuts, seeds, tofu hand made pasties, pies and gluten free products such as breakfast cereals, and biscuits and cakes. They also sell household products.

For full range see their website:

http://www.100percentvegan.co.uk/our-range

Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian or neither The 100% vegan shop is a lovely independent shop in Birmingham and well worth taking a look at for new and interesting stock.

Open 10-7pm Tuesday-Saturday.

100% Vegan Shop
The Warehouse
54-57 Allison Street
Digbeth
Birmingham
B5 5TH

0121 633 5539
Twitter @100pcvegan

http://www.100percentvegan.co.uk

The Warehouse Cafe is Birmingham’s original Vegetarian restaurant. It’s independent and a must visit for any veggie or vegan or anyone who likes good healthy food.

It is based in the same building as the 100% Vegan Shop in Digbeth Birmingham and has been serving unpretentious food and a good dose of a healthy sense of humour for a many a long year.

Their healthy food is very well regarded in Birmingham, and the environment is cute and has a nice atmosphere.

The Warehouse Cafe is committed to sustainability and its core values. They recycle and use a bicycle courrier (or foot) for the majority of fresh produce that is delivered.

They are piloting a scheme to use local allotment produce gifted by friends and supporters in their resturant.

The menus caters for both vegetarian and vegan, and there are a healthy selection of vegan dishes available:)

For menus see http://www.thewarehousecafe.com

They are open:

Tuesday-Friday 12-3.30pm and 5.30-10pm
Saturday 12-3.30pm and 5.30-10pm
Closed Sunday, Monday and Bank Holidays.

facebook/thewarehousecafe
Twitter: warehousecafeUK

0121 633 0261

The Warehouse Cafe
The Warehouse
54-57 Allison Street
Digbeth
Birmingham
B5 5TH

I plan to visit The Warehouse Cafe soon to eat and do a review.

Do you have a particular favourite? It could be in Birmingham, The Midlands, or beyond. Anyone that should be mentioned, that flies the flag for vegetarians and vegans:) Let me know either in the comment box or via twitter @andydhare.

20Aug2014

#VEGGIE/VEGAN FOOD HEROES: #STREET FOOD: THE VEGAN GRINDHOUSE AND VEGAN VOX

Posted in Independent, Kings Heath, Street Food, Tasty Morsels, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

The Vegan Grindhouse are the only completely vegan/veggie #streetfood business in and around the Midlands. They provide the best in vegan streetfood and snacks brought to the public by Vegan Vox.

A real Vegan/Veggie food hero.

The Vegan Grindhouse are a small indipendent business run by husband and wife team Andy and Lisa. They are bringing great quality vegan food options within the street food scene.

Inspired by the premise that their are very few vegan options available on the street food circuit the idea was formed to open up a completely vegan 1950’s American style mobile diner on the road.

Their menu is mouthwatering. Their food is amazing, full of flavour and very tempting. (To meat eaters and vegans/veggies)

They offer:

Gourmet Hot Dogs
Chilli dogs
Chilli cheese (vegan) dog
Gourmet burgers
Chilli and Nachos
Shakes
Toasties
Ice Cream
Cookies, muffins, a selection of cakes including cupcakes.

Plus their are gluton free options available.

Lisa runs the Vegan Vox blog, she is a food writer, and passionate vegan. See the Vegan Grindhouse website for details.

The Vegan Grindhouse are lovely people, make sure you seek them out on the street food circuit. You can find them regularly at Brum Yum Yum in Kings Heath and at the Square in Birmingham City Centre, at Digbeth Dining club and at The Victoria Square Sketts Birmingham Food fair. See their website for full details.

Forthcoming dates are:

20th August: Sketts Birmingham Fine Food fair
22nd August: Digbeth Dining club 2nd Birthday party
27th August: Bridgenorth Food fair
29th August: Lunch Market: Brum Yum Yum The Square Birmingham City Centre
30th August: Kings Heath KingshEATh by Brum Yum Yum
31st August; MAC Food fair Midlands Arts Centre

Part of The Vegan Grindhouse experience is the Mega Burger challenge, eat a triple burger which is a 3 beef style quarter pounder, 3 slices of vegan cheese, 3 bacon style rashers, served with a triple layer bun, gherkins, and jalapenos.

If you can eat it, then you win a Vegan Grindhouse T’shirt:) plus have your picture taken to prove it.

They also do a superb mushroom burger.

I love The Vegan Grindhouse, so make sure you make them a part of your veggie and vegan foodie crawl.

If anyone knows of any body else that is a veggie/vegan food hero, then let me know either on the comments section below or via twitter @andydhare. Can be in Birmingham, Midlands, or beyond.

http://www.vegangrindhouse.co.uk

@VeganGrindHouse Twitter
Facebook/VeganGrindHouse

@veganvoxblog
Facebook/veganvoxblog

Instagram @VeganGrindHouse

07971 399 440

19Aug2014

REVIEW: HEALTH COUNTY: STAR CITY, FRESH, HEALTHY, TASTY, CRAZY

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Coffee, Independent, Lunch deals, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

I have to confess that I hadn’t been to Star City for a number of years. Partly due to where I live and partly because it didn’t appeal to me.

Star City is in the Aston area of Birmingham, a few miles out of the centre near the Spaghetti junction and M6.

Health County is a fairly new independent addition to Star City and is superb for vegetarians, vegans and anyone who is looking for the healthy option. It caters for the lunch time takeaway crowd mostly, but is also a good spot for a sit down lunch or coffee or juice break when in the area.

Health County is the healthier option serving, juices, smoothies, wraps, salads and Panini. It’s a life style cafe/kiosk that offers simple, fresh and tasty food. It has a good choice and good accesibility. It focuses on the individual which I like.

The smoothies and juices idea isn’t a new one but at Health County, they aim to make it central to their philosophy, that eating fresh and healthy ingredients that are locally sourced where possible can reap benefits in the long run.

They provide breakfasts, lunch and snacks and their smoothies are superbly fresh and fruity.

Health County in Star City is a sweet place 🙂 it’s a kiosk, that is small but, bright and cheerful , a lovely space with equally lovely service. It is quite small inside, but it has seating outside with a weatherproof canopy that is private and away from the traffic.

I met second in command Radu their and he spoke enthusiastically about the Health County concept, future expansion into Redditch and new ideas for the cafe including a suggestions voting system for new smoothie and juice flavours, and ideas from the public regarding food.

I decided to sit outside and drink a smoothie and eat a veggie wrap.

I chose a Berry Blast Smoothie.

My smoothie was delicious, cold, fruity, and felt beautifully healthy, a blend of strawberry, banana, blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries. The banana wasn’t overwhelming but added creaminess to the smoothie. I enjoyed it.

My wrap, was a mixed salad and veg wrap stuffed with my own choice from the salad deli bar. It had carrot, lettuce, sweet corn and other veg fillings (see picture) and was lovely. The bread of the wrap was fresh, soft, firm and didn’t fall apart when bitten into. I added cheese to my wrap, but you could also add salsa or any extra.

The fillings gave a lovely crunch and flavour and made for a filling and excellent lunch. The wrap complimented the smoothie well and was a filling lunch which felt fresh and healthy.

Health County is an excellent independent cafe for vegetarians and vegans or anyone looking for that healthy option.
I Like its ethos on health and freshness. It provides plenty of choice from wraps through to jacket potatoes, to pasta, to couscous, to noodles. It radically focuses on the needs of the customer, providing a choice of ingredients and menu options. It’s good for snacks, to stay, to go, for lunch or a thirst quenching juice stop.

I will certainly return to Health County and Star City. Health County is a place to return to try something healthy and different in a sweet and tasteful bar.

Good for veggies, good for everyone.

@healthcountymag

http://www.healthcounty.net

For menus see website.

Disclaimer: I was invited to Health County as a guest to try out their food menu and drinks. It didn’t require a positive review. My opinions and thoughts are my own.

2Jul2014

Digbeth Dining Club at Spotlight July 2014.

Posted in Coffee, Independent, Street Food by andydhare

As the Summer evenings stretch on and on and July is surely going to bring fab weather, then if you are at a loose end on a Friday evening from 5.30pm then consider a visit to the Digbeth Dining Club in Digbeth near Birmingham City Centre. For the best in the regions Street Food look no further.

Winner of the Best Street Food event in the UK in 2013 at the British Street Food awards and The Design My Night award for the Best Experience in 2014.

July brings with it a brand new menu. The dates are 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th.

Digbeth Dining Club started in 2012, providing food and entertainment where creativity and food meet. With the aim to strip back the frills and expense of restaurant eating by providing a platform for ‘Street food’ artisans to concentrate on the quality and flavour of the dishes, prefering to let the food do the talking.

With the introduction of locally sourced ‘Street Food’ and a trendy artistic hub Digbeth Dining club provided a place for for the finest artisans to produce incredible food in front of customers at affordable prices. Food is cooked fresh in front of customers as theatre using innovative techniques.

The food and vendors on offer varies from week to week, that’s the joy of The Digbeth Dining Club.

For veggies and vegans there are many options:

To name a few.

The Vegan Grindhouse-gourmet street food, vegan burgers & hot dogs.
Buddha Belly- Thai Street food
Jabberwocky Foods- Gourmet toasties
The Mexican Bean- Mexican street food, burritios, nachos, Guacamole.
Canoodle- Pan Asian Street Food.
Habanero cafe- Mexican street food
Bournville Waffle club- Traditional Belgian waffles

All have twitter accounts and some websites.

For meat eating friends the choice is superb too.

Check out the website and facebook and twitter for details of who will be ‘performing’ on each friday.

It is a well held belief that some of the best food cooked in Birmingham is available on the streets. The succes of Brum Yum Yum in Kings Heath and now the City Centre (see previous blog entries) demonstrates this.

The dishes on offer will range from £5 upwards.

The aim of The Digbeth Dining Club is to bridge a gap between post work drinking and night time revelry in a unique atmosphere.

As well as a feast of food delights, there will be beer, cocktails and the like on offer. Also The Bean Stall will be on hand for roasted coffee.

The Digbeth Dining Club, for the food and the atmosphere and if we are lucky that lovely Summer evening sunshine.

Whatever the weather it is well worth the walk or ride to Digbeth.

Digbeth Dining Club

Unit 2

Lower Trinity Street

Digbeth

B9 4AG

@digbethdiner

http://www.digbethdiningclub.co.uk

2Jul2014

Moseley Mini Vegan Fair 5th July 10.30-4pm Moseley Village @ the Moseley festival.

Posted in Uncategorised by andydhare

This Saturday the 5th July 2014 from 10.30am-4pm to coincide with the Moseley Festival there will be a mini vegan fair in Moseley Village. Free Entry. All Welcome.

This will be held at St Columba United Reformed Church which is on the corner of Chantry Road and Alcester Road B13 8DD.

This is aimed at meat reducers, veggies, vegans, and the vegan curious or anyone who wants to seek out ethically minded people and products, food, recipes and contacts.

West Midlands Vegan Fest organise a variety of events to promote veganism in the West Midlands, including free food fairs and the annual West Midlands Vegan Festival in Wolverhampton.

For a full list of vendors and stalls see their facebook page and twitter.

The mini vegan fair is to be held as part of the bigger Moseley Festival which is running from the 4th July-13th July.

This is an annual community festival with local arts, music and culture with a lively atmosphere.

See http://www.moseleyfestival.org.uk for full details of events and participents.

or Twitter @moseleyfestival

http://www.westmidlandsveganfestival.org.uk

@WMVeganFestival

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Tag Archives: Vegan

KUSKUS FOODS: VEGETARIAN STREET FOOD HEAVEN AT A FARMERS MARKET NEAR YOU

TALL POPPY FOODS: VEGETARIAN/VEGAN FOOD WITH GOOD TASTE

VEG OUT CAFE: A VEGETARIAN LUNCH IN KINGS HEATH BIRMINGHAM

KINGSHEATH STREET FESTIVAL 7th SEPTEMBER 11AM-8pm YORK ROAD

#VEGGIE/VEGAN FOOD HEROES: 100% VEGAN SHOP AND THE WAREHOUSE CAFE

#VEGGIE/VEGAN FOOD HEROES: #STREET FOOD: THE VEGAN GRINDHOUSE AND VEGAN VOX

REVIEW: HEALTH COUNTY: STAR CITY, FRESH, HEALTHY, TASTY, CRAZY

Digbeth Dining Club at Spotlight July 2014.

Moseley Mini Vegan Fair 5th July 10.30-4pm Moseley Village @ the Moseley festival.

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