There seems more of a buzz for National Vegetarian Week and National BBQ Week than ever before. Vegans seem set to pull out all the stops to see record number of new vegans and a record breaking 10kg vegan hog roast at The National Vegetarian Week finale in Bristol

Vegans seem set to break a number of world records this summer.  With Oprah Winfrey going vegan for National Vegetarian Week and a new film called ‘Meat the Truth' on how going vegetarian saves the environment by a Dutch Vegan MP,  a record number of new vegans during summer 08 seems certain.

This summer vegans are planning to go the whole hog in an effort to prove that whilst you are leading a more ethical, sustainable, healthier, carbon neutral, greener, fairer lifestyle there is nothing you have to go without -even barbeques.

For the National Vegetarian Week finale in Bristol on the 31st of May and 1st June a record breaking 10kg vegan hog roast is not just a world first but the biggest vegan BBQ the world has ever seen

Organiser of The world’s biggest vegan festival – The Bristol Vegan Fayre - Tim Barford from Yaoh Hemp foods says “Some people think you have to give things up as a vegan. This summer we are going all out to prove you can have your cake and eat it as a vegan.  You want a vegan BBQ? – you got it! – a whole vegan hog roast at your party?- you got it!, Vegan ice cream? – You got it! Vegan milk shakes?  You got it!, Vegan Chocolate Cake – yep you got that too!”

There will not just be stallholders and caterers there to encourage you to try all these delicious and nutritious vegan delights but also a programme of talks and speakers to explain the benefits of a vegan lifestyle  and a range of posse of top chefs and cooks to show you how to cook vegan too.

Tim says “We tried to cover every aspect of a sustainable, healthy vegan lifestyle from top London nutritionist to sustainable energy experts Ecotricity.  Eco-beauty is covered, fashion, cleaning products - everything you can think of”

“Families will be well catered for with lots of entertainment for the kids such as a Victorian circus, changing facilities and quiet areas for mums, and a range of music from acoustic Jazz to reggae and rock n roll.”

Google trends graphs show a massive increase in interest in vegan lifestyles for 2008 and there seems to be a new vegan product launched almost every day.

Vegan author Tony Bishop-Weston is promoting his new cookbook at the show, The Complete book of Vegan Cooking.  He says “The rise in demand for vegan products is phenomenal. Once celebrities such as Natalie Portman start launching personal ranges of Vegan shoes you know the message is starting to hit home.  Even Glasgow, once thought to be a desert of vegan cuisine now has 6 purely vegan caterers promoting vegan food with an exclusive vegan organic wine bar, a nightclub, a deli, a café and a pub. Some Glasgow hotels now routinely serve soya milk for breakfast and Glasgow University has won an award from The Vegan Society!”

Although the Bristol Vegan Fayre is the world’s biggest with over 10,000 visitors it’s certainly not the only Vegan Festival in the UK. There have been Vegan festivals in London, Southampton, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham. However with tickets at only £12 for the weekend that includes headline festival legend bands such as Aswad, Dreadzone, Misty in Roots and Bad Manners it looks set to be bigger than all the others together.

Editors Notes

Show organiser Tim Barford Yaoh Hemp Foods Bristol

http://www.yaoh.co.uk

http://www.bristolveganfayre.co.uk

To download the Bristol Vegan Fayre Program

http://www.bristolveganfayre.co.uk/forms/BVF08_Programme.pdf

To download Bristol Vegan Fayre summer sale special offers and free stuff

http://www.bristolveganfayre.co.uk/forms/BVF08_Show_Specials.pdf

To order Tickets – only £12 for weekend

http://www.yaoh.co.uk/catalog/