BBC Good Food Show Summer, returns to NEC this June, plus competition to win two pairs of tickets.

This Competition is now closed.

Michel Roux Jr. will be returning to the NEC this summer for the BBC Good Food Show 2018.

One of the summer’s most popular days out will return to Birmingham again this June, as BBC Gardeners’ World Live and the BBC Good Food Show Summer take over the NEC for four days.

With one ticket, visitors will gain entry to both spectacular events, which will attract over 500 exhibitors from the culinary and horticultural worlds from Thursday 14 June – Sunday 17 June.

As well as the hundreds of stands, the Shows also bring a star-studded line-up of some of the country’s favourite gardeners, chefs, experts and bakers.

The line-up includes BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World lead presenter Monty Don plus co-presenters including Carol Klein, Adam Frost and new to the Show this year, Mark Lane and Arit Anderson. Fellow television personality Alan Titchmarsh also joins the team on Friday.

At the BBC Good Food Show, firm favourites Mary Berry, James Martin, Tom Kerridge, Michel Roux Jr. and many more will be cooking up a storm on stage in the Big Kitchen, with plenty more chances to see them around the Show.

This year’s BBC Good Food Show sees the return of a selection of fantastic shopping areas including the Producers’ Village and the Drinks Emporium.

New to the 2018 Show is the Eat Well Zone, showcasing the best in vegan and vegetarian products, with expert advice and recipe ideas at the Show’s Summer Kitchen stage.

Some of the best Veggie and Vegan stands are:

Blacks cheese (cheese stand)

Proper Nutty (Peanut butter stand)

Nutriplanner

Juvela, (gluten free foods)

The Brownie Bar ( brownie stand) see image below.

There’s also a WH Smith at the show. The Hairy Bikers will be present at some point signing books of which their most recent is a vegetarian cookbook called ‘The Hairy Bikers go veggie’ so pop by if you’d like it signed or any other cookbook you have at home. Other chefs will be there also at allocated times.

Stepping outside, you’ll find inspirational Show Gardens and top shopping for your garden. The Made in Birmingham garden will feature a railway embankment plot with allotment, wildflower meadow and a working steam engine with Pullman Dining carriage.

The Wyevale Garden Centres Solutions Garden will display stunning best practice ways to deal with common issues such as soil types or shady areas; the Tesco Every Little Helps Garden offers up ideas for small changes that can make big differences; the Beautiful Borders will be full of small space ideas, plus much, much more. The Floral Marquee and Plant Village is a haven for plant lovers with over 100 dedicated places to buy quality plants, seeds and bulbs.

Whether inside or outside, you’ll find the best in cooking and gardening inspiration with four days of free entry stages showcasing a full mix of plot to plate inspiration, live demos, Q&A’s, talks and plenty of advice. Plus, the chance to chat to more artisan producers and gardening experts than you can fit into one day.

Ticket holders will gain entry to both Shows, with children under five going free and discounts and free tickets available for groups of eight or more. For an extra special treat, the VIP and VIP Luxe packages include front row seats in the Big Kitchen super theatre and BBC Gardeners’ World Live Theatre, access to exclusive lounges and much more.

Adam Frost, who will be giving his insight in the BBC Gardeners’ World Live Theatre on the Thursday and Sunday of the Show, said: “This year’s Show is really about helping gardeners make every space count. I’ll be live on stage, talking about the progress of my own garden and giving lots of design tips, as will many fellow Gardeners’ World presenters, including Monty Don and gardening legend Alan Titchmarsh too. It’s the perfect show for anyone looking for exciting garden inspiration to try at home – see you there!”

Tom Kerridge, who will be cooking live in three Big Kitchen sessions, said: “There aren’t many events that compare to the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC Birmingham. With the size of the venue, the amount of delicious food and drink to sample and buy, and the expert demonstrations, it really is an amazing day out.”

For more information and tickets to BBC Gardeners’ World Live and the BBC Good Food Show and, visit www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com or www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com

To celebrate the return of the two shows this Summer I’m running a competition to win two pairs of tickets.

All you have to do is retweet my post on Twitter or like the competition tweet to be in with a chance of winning.

The competition begins on Monday 7th May at 11am and ends on Friday 11th May at 11am.

Keep an eye on Twitter for my competition tweets and then follow me @andydhare and retweet, or like to be in with a chance of winning.

I will then randomly select the two winners and contact them via Direct Message on Twitter to let you know you’ve won, and your details will be passed onto a third party who will contact you and send the tickets out to you.

Good luck!

This competition is now closed.

Thanks for reading,

Andy 😊

T&C

1. The event runs from the 14th-17th June at the NEC Birmingham.

2. Tickets are Only valid on Thursday, Friday or Saturday Admission.

3. Prize includes 2 pairs of entry passes-no travel expenses or accommodation is provided.

4. General admission tickets do not include a seat in the Big Kitchen. Seats are available to purchase on the day for £3 subject to availability.

5. Not all celebrities appear on all days.

6. You must have followed @AndyDHare on Twitter and retweeted/like the competition tweet to be entered.

7. Giveaway ends at 11am on the 11th May 2018.

8. Winners picked at random and will be notified by message on Twitter after 11am on the 11th May.

9. Contact information will be supplied to a Third Party who will post your winning tickets directly to your home address.

10. The prize is for two pairs of general admission tickets so there will be two winners.

11. Prize cannot be swapped for cash or sold on.

KingshEATh goes Veggie: All Vegetarian Street Food day. Sunday 22nd May, Kings Heath.

  

This month, Brum Yum Yum are serving up a double helping of their hugely popular KingshEATh Street Food Market, in Kings Heath, Burmingham.

As well as their regular monthly market on Saturday 14th (always the second Saturday of the month) the pioneers of Birmingham’s street food renaissance are collaborating with leading Midlands street food company, The Vegan Grindhouse to host an all Vegetarian street food ‘special edition’ on Sunday 22nd May from 12-5pm, at Kings Heath Village Square, High St B14 7RA.

KingshEATh goes veggie the only 100% meat-free street food event in the region, will feature dishes freshly cooked by leading street food chefs, showcasing entirely Vegetarian menus with Vegan options available at every stall. 

As a big supporter of Brum Yum Yum KingshEATh I was flattered to be asked for a quote by organiser Duncan Stanley for the event: I said, 

“For flesh-dodgers of a foodie nature, KingshEATh Goes Veggie ticks the meat-free box and proves that you don’t need to eat meat to enjoy fantastic street food!”

As well as all the street food, the event will feature live music from local musicians, a bar from local all-vegan brewery Twisted Barrel Ales along with organic fruit and vegetables, animal-friendly clothing and cosmetics, a fermented drinks bar, and a range of vegan and gluten-free cakes and desserts.

The event is supporting Gracie’s Rest a not-for-profit organisation that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes animals in crisis. 

http://www.gracesrest.co.uk/

Lisa Burbidge-Brown, Co-owner of The Vegan Grindhouse said,

“Following on from the huge success of last July’s event, we are thrilled to be co-hosting this, the first of two KingshEATh Goes Veggie specials this year. It’s a great way to showcase quality meat-free street food and raise money for a good cause at the same time.”

There’s some amazing vegan and vegetarian street food in Birmingham, from some of the most popular street food chefs. More people are looking to reduce or eliminate their meat intake due to health, environmental or ethical reasons and this is a great opportunity for people to try exciting new vegan and vegetarian food and see why going meat-free is a viable alternative diet and lifestyle.”

   
 Brum Yum Yum founder, Duncan Stanley added,

“Here at Brum Yum Yum we’ve always set out to prove that street food isn’t just about the meat-in-a-bun classics and I firmly believe that a lot of the best street foods out there are the vegan and veggie dishes. What better way to spend a Sunday than stuffing your face with some of the tastiest and most interesting meat-free meals in town?! Add in the vegan bar, the live music and the great vibes, and this is the animal-friendly street party that Kings Heath deserves!”

Throughout the time that vibe been writing this blog I’ve always believed that some of the best vegetarian and Vegan food in Birminghamcan be found on street food markets  with an abundance of different cuisines and styles available. Brum Yum Yum is the biggest supporter of Vegetarian friendly traders for me and this day should prove that you can still enjoy cutting edge street food in a meat free zone. 

Unfortunately I’m not able to make it on the day myself, but look forward to the next veggie one hopefully later this year.

So get down to Kings Heath Village Square on Saturday 14th May for KingshEATh Streetfood Market and Sunday 22nd May for the KingshEATh Goes Veggie special from 12-5pm.

For up to date information in the run up to the events and for the full streetfood lineups follow  @brumyumyum and @vegangrindhouse and myself @andydhare.

Enjoy, 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Hot off the press:

So here it is…the moment you have been waiting for…the hot food line up for Sunday’s KingshEATh Goes Veggie…the only place to be in King’s Heath this Sunday 😉 with BRUM YUM YUM!!

The Vegan Grindhouse by Vegan Vox (Americana)
Pietanic (Pies and Mash)

Bare Bones Pizza (Pizza)

Sri-Licious (Sri Lankan)

Michael’s Caribbean Storehouse (Caribbean)

Greens Vegan Catering (Thai/Moroccan)

9 Tea Cups (Iranian)

and the long awaited return of…
The Mexican Bean (Mexican)

Also vegan beer from Twisted Barrel Ale Brewery and Tap House, vegan/gluten free cakes from Rachel’s Cake Delights – Vegan & No Gluten Containing Ingredients, Organic veggies/fruit from Vegetropolis, Clothing & Books from V Active, Kombucha from The Happy Gut Hut, and percentage of proceeds going to Grace’s Rest.
Plus live music, entertainment and a warm fuzzy feeling!
From Sunday 12 noon – 5pm!

Please bring the sunshine!!
☀️😊

Colmore Food Festival Friday July 3rd and Saturday July 4th, Birmingham City Centre.

   

   
2015 is the 5th year of Birmingham’s popular  Colmore Food Festival in Victoria Square. The two-day event on Friday 3rd July and Saturday 4th July from 11am-7pm and showcases the great food and drink the district offers.

Twenty five top venues – including Bar Opus, Ashas, Chung Ying Central, The Edwardian Tearooms will be serving taster options in Victoria Square both days with all dishes priced at just £3.

It’s a great way to sample an array of mouth-watering, internationally inspired cuisines as well as traditional British options, not forgetting artisan coffees, real ales, fine wines, champagne and delicious cocktails. 

There will also be a programme of live cookery and cocktail demonstrations, as well as live music, outdoor theatre and other entertainment.

colmorebusinessdistrict.com

Participating venues
All Bar One * Asha’s * Bar Opus * The Bureau * Chung Ying Central
Costa Coffee * Edmunds Bar * The Edwardian Tearooms * Ginger’s Bar
Hindleys Bakery * Hotel du Vin * The Jekyll & Hyde * JoJolapa
Metro Bar & Grill * Nosh & Quaff * The Old Contemptibles * The Old Joint Stock
Opus at Cornwall Street * Purecraft Bar & Kitchen * Purnell’s and Purnell’s Bistro
Refreshments by Centenary Lounge * Starbucks * The Square Peg
Urban Coffee Company * The Wellington * Yorks Bakery Café
The timetable for events for both days is:
Friday 3rd July.

11am BAND – The Boombusters
12pm JoJolapa kitchen demonstration
12.55pm Official opening of event
1pm Nosh & Quaff v. Opus kitchen demonstration
1.40pm Colmore Chorus
2pm Metro kitchen demo
2.20pm Asha’s kitchen demo
2.40pm Opus cocktail demonstration
3pm BAND – C-Jam
4pm Hotel du Vin kitchen demonstration
5.20pm Nosh & Quaff kitchen demonstration
6pm BAND – Ricky Cool and the In Crowd

Saturday 4th July

11am BAND – Stockholm Stompers
12pm Opus cocktail demonstration
1pm Nosh & Quaff v. Opus kitchen demonstration
2pm The Jekyll & Hyde gin demonstration
2.40pm The Bureau kitchen demonstration
3pm BAND – The Brothers Groove
4pm Metro kitchen demonstration
4.30pm Chung Ying Central kitchen demonstration
5.20pm Nosh & Quaff kitchen demonstration
6pm BAND – Rebecca Downes Band
You can follow the Colmore Food Festival on Facebook at facebook.com/Colmorefoodfestival

Join the conversation on twitter using #CBDfoodfest15 and follow Colmore Business District https://twitter.com/ https://twitter.com/ColmoreBID

I will be judging the best veggie dish at the festival, looks ago of competition. Keep an eye on Twitter @andydhare for the winner and the best of the rest. 

  
Thanks for reading and enjoy the festival. It should be a sunny one. 

Andy 😊

Details of the menus: including vegetarian options. 

   

    
    
    
    
    
 
   
    
   
Menus courtesy of The Colmore food festival. 

  

See you there. 

Bar Opus: Snow Hill, Birmingham.

    Bar Opus is the youngest sister in the Opus family that includes Opus on Cornwall Street and Cafe Opus at the Ikon Gallery. 

The other week Ruth and I were invited by Anne Tonks of Opus along to try out some of their vegetarian options. 

Bar Opus is at No’ 1 Snowhill in Birmingham City Centre, a new complex behind Snow Hill Station that is next to the new Midland Metro team line which should be complete shortly. It has a nice terrace that is primed for Summer and its reincarnation into something more uber cool in the forthcoming months, imagine those long cocktails, bar snacks and lazy afternoons. It’s a sun trap in the day and a lunch time favourite. 

In fact Bar Opus is very continental with its open kitchen and smart decor. Inside its modern, stylish, and has slick lines, in its simple design. It has cosmopolitan floor to ceiling windows, and is filled with thoughtful touches like its internal Parisian like clock face, and it’s well lit interior. With a mix of bar stool seating and low bearing tables it lends itself equally to drinking and eating. 

The menu a mixture of bar snacks/plates  to eat with those delicious handcrafted cocktails or quality wines or as a starter. 

Bar Opus has an extensive Breakfast and all day menu and more substantial dishes for lunch time indulgence. The sharing bar plates are varied and with good vegetarian options is one of the best places for informal veggie dining in the city. 

   

     
The Opus family of restaurants have a real skill in making simple ingredients and dishes taste well above the average, and it’s in their ingredient led principles where the flavours begin. The produce though is only half the story, it still has to be cooked and created into an irresistible dish which Bar Opus do well, simplicity in itself. 

For example our Asparagus, and Hollandaise from their specials menu was cooked perfectly, the dish sang and I feel may not be beaten this Asparagus season, it had a beauty of flavour, creamy, every element cooked perfectly, a real delight. Simple but hard to do in the wrong hands.

   
 

To follow I tried the homemade flatbread with daily vegetarian special. The flatbread, again perfectly indulgent, not over cooked, light, fluffy, with a delicious red onion jam which gave a punch to the dish and combined with feta worked perfectly. Plus, in its generous size makes a good starter alone or generous sharing plate to tear between friends.

To finish our meal I ate the Shashouka Hash, a very popular dish on their all day menu, and one that makes a lovely brunch or lunch dish too. Wilted Greens, rich vine tomato compote, potato cake, and fried egg. The fresh ingredients again shine through, the egg perfectly runny, the tomatoes full of flavour, lifted the dish from heaven to the space that surely must be above that in the veggie foodie world. Warming potatoes and the wilted buttery greens, completed the dish, which I think is a vegetarian must when visiting Bar Opus to eat. Again a simple dish brought to ex halted heights due to the quality of ingredients and the quality of the cooking. 

   
   

The Shashouka Hash

  
 

The vegetarian Flatbread. 

Yet, Bar Opus isn’t just about the food, but also the cocktails and a fantastic wine list. 

I tried on the night a beautiful Smoked Negroni. Now a negroni always reminds me of Italy. Lazy evenings in Florence, Rome or Venice. Though I’d never had a smoked variety which came to the table theatrically smoking and yes winking at me. It was delicious, part gin, part vermouth, and then Campari. I think Bar Opus make the best Negroni in the city and if like me you love this drink, then try it here. It’s an aperitif, and a classic. 

Ruth and I also loved the glasses of Pinot Gris we had with our food. From New Zealand, Dr Renwick, it was light, and complimented the informality of the food perfectly. Lovely. 

Bar Opus also have a good selection of beers, craft ales and real ale. 

The service throughout was excellent, and was warm, attentive and consistent throughout. 

   
     

Bar Opus is a smartly appointed bar with trendy background music and at times an office like clientele, but don’t let that put you off. 

It’s sophistication is in doing the simple things well. A mixologist that knows a cocktail from, well, a cocktail. A chef that knows how to get the best out of well sourced seasonal ingredients and creates delicious simple dishes that  make you feel hungry even though you may not be. So be tempted. 

Though the cocktails are the pull, the ace on top the pack of cards is the food, a thoughtful concept, and a gentle buzz, a European bar after work, but please don’t tell David Cameron because he may close it down, European Moir…for vegetarians its up their with the best Birmingham can offer, good dishes made well, decent choice, well made, sound drinks. 

And with the Summer approaching a place to chill outside and take in the sun, hopefully. 

Bar Opus is an all day venue that you may not leave, I like it, so do others, it’s the city bar redefined. 

Now where are my Euros. 

Bar Opus, One SnowHill, Birmingham, B4 6GH. 

0121-289-3939

http://baropus.co.uk/

http://baropus.co.uk/eating/

My previous review of Bar Opus. 

https://vegiefoodie.com/2014/11/07/bar-opus-launch-for-breakfast-lunch-and-after-5pm-fun/

@baropus: Twitter

We were invited to Bar Opus to review some of their vegetarian dishes. Our food was complimentary, but we paid for our own drinks. My review is independent of the invite and is honest and carries my own opinions as always. 

Thanks to Ann for the invite and Sam and Gail for their service and passion for their menus. 

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

Twitter: @andydhare

   
 

Blogiversary: Happy Birthday Veggie Foodie. One year old today 🍰🍷🍸🎂🎉

This time last year I launched my Vegetarian food blog Vegiefoodie.com. I can’t quite believe how quickly the time has gone, and to be honest that I’m still writing and loving blogging so much. 

When I began my aim was to celebrate vegetarian dining and eating out and make vegetarians aware of the great places (and not so great) to eat in Birmingham and beyond. I’ve been fortunate that I’ve had some brilliant meals and drinks over the last year. 

Notably Purnells, Epi, Opus Restaurant, Lasan, Bilash in Wolverhamptin, Nomad, Bisro 1847, Raja Monkey and Vanilla Black in London, and Northcote near Blackburn and Turners-look out for reviews soon. 

The rise of street food in Birmingham has given vegetarians increased options as to where to eat, and with the added bonus of not been forced to sit down. It’s also a bit of a crawl so you can mix and match dishes and types of food, and drink. 

Restaurants in Birmingham have got better at understanding that vegetarians don’t always want to eat veggie burgers, pasta or risotto, though when they are cooked well using good seasonal ingredients they can be superb. I’ve had some of the best pasta dishes in Italy, that are tomato based, and just because of the simple ingredient, the tomato. The rise in the independent bar. Cafe and restaurant in the city is also good news for veggies and my blog has alway favoured the independent business and its creative originality. 

   
     
Before I began my blog I ate at some wonderful restaurants with Ruth that I didn’t blog about and hope to return to one day. 

Please excuse me for making a short list, but some of the best vegetarian dishes I’ve had have come at 

Arzak in San Sebastián, 3 Michelin starred in Spain, exquisite dishes. Notable deserts. 

 L’Enclume- Simon Rogan’s restaurant in Cartmel Lake District, probably the best meal I’ve ever had. 

Le Manoir, Raymond Blanc’s restaurant/hotel in Oxfordshire, a superb veggie menu. A great place to stay. 

Alyn Williams at The Westbury in London, 

Castle Terrace andNumber one in Edinburgh, 

Benares in London, the finest indian food I’ve eaten. 

The Ritz in London, it’s the Ritz…and was beautiful with excellently creative veggie dishes. 

To name a few.. And just a month or so before I launched my blog The Cross in Kenilworth, which now has a Michelin star, but hadn’t then, and served such a beautiful vegetarian menu. 

So lastly, just to thank everyone who has followed my blog, and has been so supportive on social media. I’m not mentioning names, but I hope people know who they are. 

Plus a big thank you to all my fellow food bloggers in Birmingham and beyond who have been kind and supportive and welcomed me into their community and world. It’s been a pleasure meeting some of you. 

Here’s to the next year and more great vegetarian food. Keep your eyes peeled for some changes in how Veggie Foodie looks, and hopefully some more exciting foodie discoveries on the horizon. 

Happy Blogiversary. 

Thanks for reading 😊 and been part of my veggie foodie journey I couldn’t have done it without you all. 

Andy 

You can follow me on Twitter @andydhare

Facebook at Andy Hare and Veggie Foodie 

Instagram-andydhare

   
           

#Veggiebreakfast&brunchwatch: Loco Lounge Kings Heath.

One of my favourite meals of the day has always been breakfast or brunch on a weekend. Especially the lingering kind, with the papers, Sunday Morning listening to Cerys Matthews on BBC 6 Music, bliss. Or in a hotel, when it’s cooked for you, and always appears more exciting without the washing up. I can still remember being impressed at L’Enclume in Cartmel, Le Manoir, or Northcote’s delicious cheese soufflé or just simple a croissant in Paris or on garden terrace in Rome. Magnificent. 

Both simple or extravagant, either eating too many pastries at Hotel Du Vin or just a good cooked vegetarian breakfast, eggs and veggie sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, you get the picture. Good produce cooked well. 

So it was on a Sunday brunch time the other week that Ruth and I wandered into The Loco Lounge in Kings Heath, well known for their brunch menu and sensitivity to veggies and vegans. The Loco Lounge is an all day cafe and bar that is community driven and always busy whatever time of day. It’s my favourite place in Kings Heath to work in on my blog, free wifi and friendly staff and large so easy to get a good comfy seat. On this day it again was busy, a weekend crowd, jolly, relaxed, happy. 

The Loco Lounge do a substantial Vegetarian breakfast, and also it’s vegan equivalent. 

Sweetcorn fritters, hash browns, grilled tomato, baked beans, mushrooms, spinach, roasted red peppers, fried egg, and toast for £6.95. Good value, but alas no Veggie Sausage. Why? How?. 😉

Please remedy that👍 and put some on the extras. 

Though liked the veg aspect a lot and that’s so refreshing to see. 

   

   

I enjoyed the Sweetcorn fritters, crispy, a nice texture, filling, I liked the addition of spinach and roasted red peppers, different, again adding a different texture, and flavour. Also the egg was runny, the hash browns nice, so all in all a good breakfast that was plentiful and filling, but no veggie sausage option. You can’t win them all. I enjoyed it. 

Loco Lounge also serve a veggie kedgeree with Halloumi and of course the vegan breakfast with fried potatoes. 

There is a list of extras so if you feel like more as we did with the toast then order away. 

  

   

       

Kings Heath has a good choice of breakfast/brunch hang outs. Notably Cherry Reds, both vegan and veggie breakfasts, including sausage.

 Also Cherry Reds in Birmingham City Centre.

  

Kitchen Garden cafe, veggie breakfast and potato hash, which is yummy. 

Veg out Cafe, of course vegetarian breakfast, 

Maison Mayci do a Sunday brunch. 

As this is the first of an occasional blog post I’m sure to review all of these in the future. Also on my radar, Ju Ju’s in the city centre by the canal, Yumm cafe at the Custard Factory, Boston Tea party, Harborne and City centre and later this year Moseley Village. Yorks bakery in the city and The Plough in Harborne, who are introducing a new brunch menu including a divine sounding sweet potato and okra hash and Leverton and Halls in Bournville who have a vegetarian breakfast. 

All offer vegetarian choices. 

If anyone has any other recommendations or favourites. Then please let me know. 😊 via the comments below or Twitter @andydhare. 

Thanks for reading. 

We paid for our breakfasts at Loco Lounge. All opinions are honest and my own as always. 

Andy 😊

The Loco Lounge is part of The Lounges cafe bar chain who also have cafes in Harborne, Shirley, Wylde Green and elsewhere in Birmingham, see website for details, and soon the Cosy Club in Birmingham City Centre. 

   

 

Loco Lounge, High Street, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 

Open 9am-11pm every day. 

0121 444-1296

Vegan menu see below. 

http://thelounges.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/LO_Winter_Vegan_Menu.pdf

Main menu see below. 

http://thelounges.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/LO_Food_Menu_Winter_2014.pdf

Spring Food Pop Ups: Take Over series: April at The Hare and Hounds Kings Heath.

 

The Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath, Birmingham this April is opening up its kitchen for their latest instalment of its pop up food takeover series. 

It sees Pika Pika, The Indian Rasoi, The Vegan Grindhouse and The Flying Cows all serve up a specially created 3 course set menu in the back bar each Thursday throughout the month. 

First up will be Pika Pika on the 9th April who specialise in Oriental fusion home cooking and have recently completed pop ups at near by Cherry Reds in Kings Heath that I had the pleasure of trying last year. 

There will be a Vegetarian menu available. But specify when booking. 

Starters will be a mixed starter platter and a Maki Sushi Roll vegetarian with dumpling edamame

Main course: Nasu Katsu curry- a traditional Japanese curry with onion, carrot, potato topped with breadcrumbs and deep fried aubergine slices filled with Karashi (Japanese mustard) served with boiled rice and salad

For desert a Matcha cake served with cat biscuit and azuki bean whipping cream. 

Cost of the 3 course is £15 and the pop up starts at 7pm

  

On the 16th April The Indian Rasoi will be providing an evening of authentic Indian Cuisine. 

On the menu are dishes for Vegetarians  such as:

Potato/peas Tikki Chaat, served with marinated chick peas, pomegranate and red onion, mint and chilli chutney. 

Methi, mixed bean medley. Served with flame griddles aubergine purée, home ground spices, cumin rice, Tawa bread parantha, turmeric oil and warm coriander slaw. 

Warm Indian chilli infused carrot and coconut cake with homemade kulfi ice cream

The cost is £15 for three courses. 

   

 

On the 22nd April The Vegan Grindhouse will be taking over. 

Serving a completely Vegan menu it will include: 

Starters: Buffalo Cauli wings served with Pip’s Hot Sauce

GrindHouse Nachos. 

Main course: Grindhouse Burger, signature meatless, quarter pounder with vegan cheese. 

Philly Cheese steak 

Organic six bean chilli, homemade and much loved. 

Sides 

BBQ beans, Grindhouse Slaw, side salad,

Deserts: New York ‘cheese cake gluten free and vegan. 

Ice cream cookie sandwich. Vegan 

For £20 per person you receive 1 starter, 1 main, 2 sides, and 1 desert. 

   

   

On the 30th April the Flying Cows takeover the Hare and Hounds. The cost is £15 for 3 courses menu to be announced. Keep an eye on Veggie Foodie for an update. 

For all reservations, tickets check The Hare and Hounds website/events. 

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/event-listings/

Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath, B14 7JZ. 

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/

@hareandhounds:Twitter. 

Thanks for reading

Andy 😊

@andydhare 

   

   

Street Food INC comes to BrindleyPlace Birmingham City Centre 2-6 April

For 5 whole days from the 2-6th April (Thursday-Monday, Easter Bank Holiday)  Central Square at BrindleyPlace Birmingham will be transformed into one of the largest street food markets with over 15 traders per day. Billed as a celebration of home grown talent and the fantastic food scene that Birmingham has to offer it promises to be a vibrant and lively foodie weekend, and will host some brilliant Vegetarian friendly street food traders. 

   

Organised by I Need Catering, Lucy Darby  the main host has organised a brilliant line up. 

On all 5 days Veggie Foodie favourites The Vegan Grindhouse will be present, showcasing their 100% plant based Vegan burgers, chilli, and a number of other superb dishes. 

Plus Veggie Foodie favourites Barebones Pizza will be present for 5 Days also. With superb pizzas, and their delicious Vegetarian and Vegan pizzas. 

The Vegan Grindhouse   

       Barebones Pizza 

Plus Pip’s Hot Sauce will be presenting an exclusive Vegan hot sauce in conjunction with The Vegan Grindhouse and running a competition New Mystery Sauce challenge- where you have to guess the correct ingredients in Pip’s Fantastic new sauce to win a 90 minute workshop with Circus MASH @circusMash. 

Also there for 5 days are The London Pie and Mash Company who will have a Roasted Vegetable pie with gravy for Vegetarians. Yummy! 

Also appearing will be Vegetarian friendly Becky’s Bhajis (Thursday only) Bournville Waffle, and Hibiscus Grove South East Asian Cuisine (friday-Monday) and Delize Italian (Friday only). 

Also veggie friendly Muy Loco Tacos who will be serving Tacos with a twist. 

   

       

The line up includes:

Thursday 2nd April: 

The Vegan Grindhouse, Barebones Pizza, Becky’s Bhajis, Fat Duck Spuds, London Pie and Mash Co’, Toby’s Tacos’, Sticky Fig

Friday 3rd April

The Vegan Grindhouse, Barebones Pizza, Delize Italian, leave it to Esme-Caribbean, Bournville Waffle, Hibiscus Grove, Fat Duck Spuds, London pie and mash. 

Saturday 4th April

The Vegan Grindhouse, Barebones Pizza, Leave it to Esme, Bournville Waffle, Hibiscus Grove, Toby’s Tacos, Savannah Grill. 

Sunday 5th April (Easter Sunday)

The Vegan Grindhouse, Barebones Pizza, Leave it to Esme, Toby’s, Bournville Waffle Company, Savannah Grill, Hibiscus Grove. 

Monday 6th April

The Vegan Grindhouse, Barebones Pizza, leave it to Esme, Bournville Waffle, Toby’s, Hibiscus Grove. 

The Easter Street Food Market will also have CircusMASH performing a fred community showcase (the production is called ‘Spring Up’) and will be offering free workshops from 2pm-4pm on Saturday and Sunday. 

CircusMASH were at Lunar Festival last year and have appeared on This Morning on TV. 

  

Also Drum Together Brum will be doing a few performances throughout the weekend. 

For full details of the line up follow @ineedcatering on Twitter and on Facebook. 

It promises to be a brilliant Easter Weekend of Street Food INC goodies. Hopefully the sun will shine and the rain will keep away. 

   

 

Any more information that comes my way I will add to my post. 

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

@andydhare

#Veggiepizzawatch: Barebones Pizza-The best pizza on four wheels.

Barebones pizza produce wood fired pizzas. Pizzas are cooked in a wood fired oven to a Neopolitan style and are very generous in size from their strikingly funky red van. 

Deservedly they were recently shortlisted by Shortlist.com for best pizza in the UK and were awarde 5 stars for hygiene and food safety standards. 

 As street food Barebones are the real deal. 

A chance reading of an article on the new wave street food scene paved the way for the idea to sell pizzas in the Midlands from their travelling pizza van. Bare Bones relates to the notion of natural and organic ingredients. No additives, and the freshest ingredients, which equals healthier pizzas. 

Barebones Pizza are a family run company. Father and son team Mike and Tim Evans are the main cogs in a well oiled machine or in this case van. 

Pizza’s are cooked to order in front of you, piping hot, fresh and incredibly tasty. 

Pizza’s are 10” using the best toppings. For vegetarians  try: 

Margherita (Bare Bones) pizza with tomato and mozzarella cheese. 

Vegetarian: (Boneless) with mushrooms, red Onion, sliced green Peppers, and mozzarella cheese. 

You can also create your own pizza with mozzarella, try from red onion, green peppers, mushrooms, black olives and sliced tomato. 

Plus the Vegan pizza: vegan friendly veganic cheese, red onions, smoked tofu, mushrooms, (example only) 

Plus you can order garlic bread with or without cheese. 

On a recent visit to Brum Yum Yum KingshEATh i ordered the Boneless pizza. 



It was a real pizza, crispy, nice toppings, great fresh thin base, cheesy, and looked a proper Italian pizza. 

What impressed me by the Boneless was that you could taste all the ingredients individually, they weren’t charred or burnt. The ratio of veg was spot on, a good size portion, ingredients in proportion and not too much cheese that it felt greasy and sickly. A quality authentic pizza. Like Italy in Birmingham.

Added to that is friendly service, and though very busy and with a long que,  it never felt rushed or that the standards of Barebones had slipped. A quality experience. 

You can find them at Street Food events, festivals and markets. 

14th March-Brum Yum Yum 10-4pm 

15th March- Digbeth Dining Club St Patrick’s Event 5-9.30pm

20th March- Scoff Street; Stratford Upon Avon 5-9.30pm

27th March: Digbeth Dining Club 5-10.30pm

11th April- Brum Yum Yum KingshEATh 

24th April Scoff Street Food event- Stratford Upon Avon. 

27th March: Digbeth Dining Club. 

2nd/3rd/4th/5th/6th April: Easter Market, Brindley Place. 

11th April: Brum Yum Yum Kings Heath. 

24th April Scoff Event in Steatford Upon Avon. 

Barebones have a great concept, a quality product and a fun looking and hard working van. They have an innovative menu, good vegetarian and vegan options and their pizza is good value for the price between £5 and £8. Dependent on choice. 

Barebones have put time into their flavours and cookery, their pizzas are handmade, rightly irregular, and have authentic fillings and a great choice for vegetarians and vegans. 

A 5 star success,  and not only the great pizza from a van, but from anywhere in Birmingham. 

Seek them out at the next street food event near you. They are well worth it. See above details on where to find them and also on their website. 

http://barebonespizza.co.uk/

Facebook: barebonesizza

Twitter: @barebonespizza 

For menus, details of events and background to the company. 

Thanks for reading. 

I paid for my own pizza and all opinions expressed are my own and honest at all times. 





Have you tried Barebones pizza? What did you think. Let me know your thoughts via Twitter @andydhare or in the comments section below. 

Thanks 

Andy 😊





Scoff Food returns for Fab Feb Food extravaganza

The last weekend of February (this Friday and Saturday) is a street food lovers birthday and Christmas rolled into one. Especially if you live near or in Stratford Upon Avon or Coventry in the Warwickshire.

On Friday 27th February at The Stratford Boat Club overlooking the pretty River Avon and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) theatre sees an evening Scoffs Food Event.

Featuring The Jabberwocky, Spectacular Goat Pizza, Delize Italian, Canoodle and Bournville Waffle, amongst others. Plus live music and shelter from the elements if need be.

So what’s better than Stratford’ s first street food night and theatrical setting and even Shakespeare himself would be impressed with the atmosphere and stunning river views.

Plus, of course cocktails, and beer from 17.00-23.00 27th February and every week until the 27th March at Stratford Boating Club. CV 37 7LS.

Saturday 28th is just as good.

Venue is Fargo Village in Coventry. This Saturday you will find an enlarged foodie extravaganza, a full line up of world-wide street food, and a colourful double decker bus, The Bus Bar to quench your thirst. Plus fantastic independent shopping throughout the village.

The Fargo Street Food Scoff Food thing has excellent nosh, plenty of veggie options at both events.

See Spectacular Goat pizza, yummy. Canoodle, Big Daddies Diner, and more. The food and the atmosphere should warm the cockles of your heart whatever the weather.

http://www.scofffood.co.uk for directions

Venue:

Fargo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry, CV 1 5ED.

The Bus Bar at Brum Yum Yum.

Thanks for reading.

Andy

@andydhare

Facebook: Andy Hare and Veggie Foodie