Meat-free lifestyle at Vegfest UK
Brighton’s annual vegan festival, VegfestUK, returns to the Hove Centre, with a delicious menu, entertainment and a family vibe
VegfestUK, one of Europe’s biggest vegan food and lifestyle shows, returns to Brighton Hove Centre for the sixth year running 29–30March 2014 (11am–6pm both days), with a stream of captivating exhibitors and activities to keep an expected 7,000-strong crowd entertained.
Looking for interesting global cuisines? Eight top-notch caterers will be spread over both the ground and first floors of the Hove Centre. Foods include Indian, Ethiopian, Caribbean stews, pad thais, wicked cakes, tofu canapés, veg burgers, hot dogs, and much more.
For shoppers and bargain hunters, there are 135 stalls jam-packed with free samples and one-off special discounts. Products range from plant-based meats, cheeses, cupcakes, bakeries, dairy-free milks and chocolates, oils, shoes, clothing, bodycare, cosmetics, along with face paints and top merchandise from a number of campaigners.
“Activities on Family Day include cookery classes on making pancakes, sushi, energy balls and green slime, smoothie bikes, hoola hoops, pirate games and more”
Family Day
Searching for a top day out for the whole family? Sunday 30 March is Family Day with an abundance of kids’ entertainment on show, hosted by the charismatic Pirate of the Carob Bean Captain James Tea Cook. Activities include cookery classes on making pancakes, sushi, energy balls and green slime, smoothie bikes, hoola hoops, pirate games and more.
Plant-based cuisines
Seeking inspiration for plant-based cuisines? Visit the 12 cookery demos performed by seasoned and creative chefs who are passionate about showing the world how interesting vegan food actually is. Recipes include seitan (a plant-based mock meat), dairy-free cheeses, ravioli and pomodori, canapés, fruit smoothies, tangy and fragrant coconut kadhi, wholefood pancakes, along with some raw dishes.
Optimum health
Looking to get fit on a plant-based diet? Draw inspiration from the Vegan Bodybuilders, who will have an info stall as well as hosting an inverted row competition where everyone can enter and every participant wins a prize. Ex-Everton footballer Neil Robinson, who’s also the world’s first known vegan professional footballer, is amongst the special guests and will speak about a plant-exclusive lifestyle which has kept him in tip-top condition, not only during his professional football career but also into his 50’s.
For the health-conscious and holistically minded – there’s an excellent schedule of short films, talks and workshops for individuals looking to revolutionise their inner health and wellbeing. Topics range from dairy, superfoods, optimum diets for kids, marketing your business, beauty and cosmetics, to travelling on vegan diets, reversing debilitating illnesses, energising drinks recipes, turning your dreams into reality amongst others.
That’s entertainment
For those seeking laughter and entertainment alike – there are action-packed comedy hours, live music along with entertainment on both days. On the Saturday, there’s a humorous speed-dating session, a screening of documentary Bringing It Home on the hemp plant and a Tai Chi demo.
Sunday sees Goldblade frontman John Robb speaking about staying sane on a vegan diet throughout his tours in the old days. John will also host a fundraising auction for the Animal Welfare Party with top prizes aplenty.
VegfestUK, The Hove Centre, Saturday 29–Sunday 30 March 2014. Admission is only £2 for adults (pay on gate) and free for those under 16. www.brighton.vegfest.co.uk/programme
VegfestUK is organising two other big shows this year, Bristol (25–25 May) and London (27–28 September. In addition to vegan food and info during the day, the Bristol show also features headline music in the evenings. This year’s music lineup includes Boney M, Gwen Dickey’s Rose Royce, Abba Gold, Peter Hook and the Light, Ruts DC, Goldblade, Black Roots and Zion Train.
For full details about VegfestUK events, visit www.vegfest.co.uk or email info@vegfest.co.uk
