Join the revolution

Veganuary, which takes place annually in January, inspired and supported over 620,000 people to try vegan during its 2022 campaign. With this year looking to attract even higher numbers, here are some of our top food picks to help appeal to this growing market

TINDLE TAKES CHICKEN DOWN 

For plant-based versions of two of your most popular chicken products, look no further than T.Quality which is now stocking two vegan substitutes from Tindle. 

Made from soy protein, the range includes Tindle Nuggets, bite-sized nuggets coated in a light tempura batter for a crunchy bite, and Tindle burgers, 120g patties coated in a lightly seasoned batter and textured with irregular crumbs. Both can be deep fried from frozen and are available in 4 x 907g packs, with 30 burgers and 180 nuggets per pack. 

T. Quality 0330 1243 707 www.tquality.co.uk

CREATE A MENU FULL OF CHOICE

With the plant-based range from Kismet Kebabs, you can cater for vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians no matter what their craving. 

From kebabs, gyros and nuggets to burgers and hotdogs, Kismet can help create a dedicated menu that ensures customers are left spoilt for choice and wanting to return to try more. 

Kismet Kebabs 01621 744055 www.kismetkebabs.co.uk

V IS FOR VEGAN

Frozen food distributor Central Foods is matching the demand for vegan friendly food by launching two new products – KaterVeg! Battered Vegan Chicken Nuggets and the KaterVeg! Battered Vegan Chicken Burger.

Both are made from soya and vegetable protein and coated in a light tempura batter, and suit deep frying or oven baking.

The vegan chicken nuggets have been given a triangular V shape and the vegan battered chicken burgers a round shape so that they can easily be differentiated from their meat equivalents.

Central Foods 01604 858522 www.centralfoods.co.uk  

DELICIOUS DESSERTS 

The team at New Forest Ice Cream has been working hard to produce a vegan treat that is as indulgent and delicious as its dairy counterpart. The result – three tempting flavours: chocolate, vanilla and salted caramel. The chocolate option is made with real cocoa; the vanilla is a classic; whilst the salted caramel has the sweet household favourite enhanced by a pinch of salt. Available in 2.4 litre tubs. 

New Forest Ice Cream 01590 647611 www.newforesticecream.com

PIES AND FRIES 

Giving its two most popular pie varieties a run for their money are Pukka’s Vegan Chicken & Mushroom and Vegan Minced Steak & Onion.

The pies are 100% plant-based versions of their meat pies and feature a vegan flash and the Vegetarian Society Approved vegan trademark on the front of the wrappers. 

Containing 12 frozen wrapped pies in a case, Vegan Chicken & Mushroom has soy protein vegan ‘chicken’ pieces, sliced mushrooms and a savoury vegan creamy sauce encased in 144 layers of Pukka’s signature golden puff pastry. 

Vegan Minced Steak & Onion offers a new take on the traditional recipe, with minced soy protein vegan ‘steak’ paired with finely chopped onions in a rich gravy.  

Pukka 0116 264 4000 www.pukkapies.co.uk

DON’T WING IT

Marketed as the most realistic vegan wing ever, Biff’s Crispy Jackfruit wings have got to be tried. Made from jackfruit and a secret spice mix, the wingz are coated with panko breadcrumbs and finished with a sugarcane ‘bone’. 

Why not complement them with one of its vegan sauces? Choose from burger sauce, ranch sauce, spicy maple chipotle and vegan ‘bacon’ jam, all available in ambient 1kg catering pouches.

Biff’s www.biffs.co

CLUCKIN’ GOOD 

Friars Pride has teamed up with The Curious Vegan Co to bring two great tasting plant-based food options to fish and chip shop menus.

Marketed under the Eat Curious brand, they include Cluckin’ Southern Fried Pieces and Oinkin’ Bangers. Cluckin’ Southern Fried Pieces are vegan chicken-style pieces made with pea protein and lightly dusted in a southern fried coating, while Oinkin’ Bangers are also made with pea protein but accentuated with sage and parsley.

Friars Pride 01733 316 400 www.friarspride.com

THE ’OMNI’ WAY TO DO VEGAN FISH & CHIPS 

Described as having the flakiness and tenderness of real fish while carrying an ineffable ocean flavour are Omni Golden Fillet plant-based fishless fillets.

Available through Henry Colbeck, they are made from a blend of non-GMO soy, pea and rice proteins, and take just four to five minutes to fry. The 70g battered fillets are available in 1.5kg giving approximately 60 portions. They are low in saturated fat and high in Omega-3, making them a great alternative to traditional fish and chips. 

Henry Colbeck 0191 482 4242 www.colbeck.co.uk

YOU WON’T BELIEVE IT’S NOT CHICKEN 

Meadow Vale says that its Original Vegan Chick’n Strips come so close to the real thing that operators won’t believe it’s not chicken!

Made from pea protein to deliver a succulent and meaty bite, the Chick’n Strips have a crunch coating that is said to stand up well to holt holding. They can be oven baked or fried in five to six minutes and are available in 1kg bags each containing 30 strips.

Henry Colbeck 0191 482 4242  www.colbeck.co.uk