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16
Jan 2022
Harrogate vegans on Veganuary, restaurants and why they chose plant-based diets
Whether you are a fan or not, veganism is definitely having its moment.
A record number of people are expected to try to eat only plant-based foods this month as growing concern about the climate crisis heightens interest in the Veganuary movement.
More than half a million people signed up to take part in last year’s Veganuary, about a quarter of whom – 125,000 – were based in the UK. However, the campaign’s research suggests that potentially 10 times as many people participate and a significant number continue with plant-based diets beyond the end of the month.
Vegan options are certainly appearing on more and more menus across the district - with some offering a wide range of options and even separate menus.
However, there is currently only one dedicated vegan café in Harrogate - Nourish Plant Kitchen - and the launch of the town's first vegan restaurant, Vertigo, has been delayed.
Nourish
Nourish, on Mayfield Grove, opened in August after owner, Hannah Postlethwaite, took over what was formerly the Option Ve cafe.
Aimed at meeting the demands of the town's growing vegan population, the café serves homemade food, juices, smoothies and raw cakes that are exclusively vegan, as well as refined-sugar free.
Nourish Plant Kitchen, on Mayfield Grove.
Rebz Jack, a baker at the dog-friendly café, has been a vegan for more than five years, a decision she initially made after questioning why, as an animal lover, she was eating animals.
She said:
More options
Rebz said it was easier than ever to be a vegan now, as there were so many food and drink options available, with even McDonald's offering a plant-based burger, the McPlant, which she has tried - and enjoyed!
However, she prefers to cook and eat fresh food, rather than use alternatives, like soy for example, and this is very much the ethos of Nourish.
Bang bang salad and sweetcorn cakes at Nourish.
The chef, whose favourite dish on the menu is mushrooms, thyme cashew cream and truffle oil on toast, said:
And when it comes Veganuary, she's a fan of anything that might encourage people to give veganism a go.
She added:
Read more:
- Four wellness retreats in the Harrogate district to re-energise mind, body and soul
- Harrogate vegan café opening delayed due to covid
The year of the vegan
Sarah Dickinson is a blogger from Harrogate, known as Sunshine Sarah, and regularly writes about veganism.
She said:
Harrogate vegan blogger Sarah Dickinson.
Sarah said vegan options in Harrogate were getting better, however there was always room for improvement.
Tasty
She listed Hustle & Co, Farmhouse and Nourish as her favourites for offering "tasty plant-based vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options".
She said:
Vegan Instagrammer Chloe Wright, from Harrogate, whose account @HelloVeganChlo has more than 8,000 followers, said:
A vegan burrito at Paradise Tap & Taco, Harrogate.
Creative push
Jo Hewson, from Harrogate, said Veganuary gives a push to restaurants, supermarkets and food and drink establishments to think creatively about vegan options, leading to more permanent options for vegans as a result.
She said:
A marinated smoky soy-infused broccoli and homemade satay sauce goodness grains bowl at Hustle & Co.
Great vegan options
Jasmine Feingold, also from Harrogate, said she believed the town had some great vegan options, listing Farmhouse and Hustle & Co as her go-to places as she could also take her non-vegan friends.
She said:
Massive improvements
Rachel Knight, who grew up in Knaresborough but now lives in Harrogate, has been a vegan for four years and said the restaurants' vegan options had massively improved in that time - particularly in the last two years.
She said:
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