The number of British people choosing a vegan lifestyle is on the rise, and has this year reached over half a million. This has led to an increased demand for tasty and innovative vegan foods.
PETA is celebrating some of the most well regarded vegan products available on the high street at its fourth annual Vegan Food Awards. This year, the group expanded this year’s award to include 24 categories.
Heading up the Best Dairy-Free Cheese is Nutcrafter Creamery’s Extra Aged Gomasio Chedder Style which is made using the same process as dairy-based cheese except it contains animal-friendly nut milk instead of cow’s milk.
The Best Vegan Sandwich can be found at Pret A Manger. Chana Chaat Flat Bread is an Indian-inspired wrap featuring chickpeas, fruity mango compote and tangy coconut yoghurt. The company also opened up its first all-veggie store this year.
Zizzi won the award for Best Vegan Pizza. The chain offers vegan cheese on all of its pizzas as well as selling refreshing vegan gelatos.
Other winners include JD Wetherspoon (Best Vegan Curry), Linda McCartney Foods (Best Vegan Burger), Club Mexicana (Best Vegan Street Food), LEON (Best Vegan Salad), Le Pain Quotidien (Best Vegan Cake), and Koko Dairy Free (Best Dairy-Free Milk).
PETA’s Dawn Carr said: “From the corner shop to luxury restaurants, businesses are jumping to feed the public’s hunger for healthy, humane plant-based food. Since winners include all-vegan bacon, eggs, aged cheddar, and even caviar, PETA’s Vegan Food Awards show that ethical fare is more diverse and exciting than ever – all without harming a single animal.”
Interest in vegan living has increased significantly, with Google Trends reporting that UK residents are searching ‘vegan’ in record numbers. Celebrities such as David Haye, Joaquin Phoenix, Ellie Goulding and Alan Cumming have praised the benefits of a vegan lifestyle.
