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Mighty Five

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Mighty Fine

For anyone who is unfamiliar, let us start with a brief history on afternoon tea. It first emerged in the early 19th century and quickly became a social tradition, offering a respite from the day's hustle and bustle. Traditionally enjoyed between 3 and 5 p.m.—it usually features finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, as well as some delicate pastries, all served alongside a pot of tea. More than a culinary treat, afternoon tea embodies elegance and refinement. It provides an opportunity for casual conversations and enjoying good company. It is an experience that invites both locals and tourists to savour a peaceful moment of indulgence amidst their hectic everyday lives. &nbsp;&nbsp;In London, and throughout the UK, the afternoon tea scene not only exhibits exceptional quality but also offers a diverse range of options. This makes it tough to pick the perfect spot for an afternoon gathering with friends. To make your decision easier, we have compiled a list of the top five locations for vegan afternoon tea in London.&nbsp;Best for tourists: Brigit's Bakery—afternoon tea bus tour&nbsp;&nbsp;Brigit's Afternoon Tea Experience offers a charming expedition aboard a vintage red double-decker bus, departing from multiple locations in central London. Relax on the upper deck as you journey through the city, passing by iconic landmarks while nibbling on delicious finger sandwiches. Treat yourself to their minty plant-based Philadelphia and cucumber sandwich, or a mini quiche, and sweet treats like their irresistible Biscoff verrine. For an extra touch of elegance, you can choose to add prosecco or champagne to this experience. Brigit’s Bakery caters for all ages with themed afternoon teas such as Peppa Pig’s Adventure for kids and&nbsp;their Bombay Sapphire Gin Lovers tour for adults. Additionally, they offer themed holiday experiences, including their Christmas and Valentine’s Day teas. Their <a href="https://b-bakery.com/london/bus-tours">price per person is around £48 + champagne/prosecco from £32 per bottle or £9 per glass</a>. &nbsp;Best from a fully vegan restaurant: Farmacy, Notting Hill&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9eo9ptr/image/upload/v1715001111/IMG_0314_69de73625c.png" alt="IMG_0314.webp">FarmacyLocated in Notting Hill, Farmacy is a restaurant that shines not only because of its plant-based culinary excellence but also due to its commitment to sustainability. It supports local farming and champions biodynamic sustainability, setting a commendable example of how passionate a vegan business can be in creating a dynamic yet thoughtful experience for its customers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Within their Afternoon Tea menu, we find precision-crafted sandwiches and a beautiful display of sweet pastries and cakes, all made with ingredients sourced from local, sustainable suppliers. The best part is you can dine comfortably, knowing that all your food has been created for an eco-conscious plant-based diet.&nbsp; &nbsp;Reservations must be made beforehand, and can only be booked on weekends at either 4:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. Their <a href="https://farmacylondon.com/pages/restaurant-london-notting-hill">price per person is around £60</a>.&nbsp;Best themed: Science afternoon tea at The Ampersand Hotel, South Kensington&nbsp;The Drawing Rooms at The Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington seamlessly blends classic English elegance with a stylish 'salon de thé' vibe. Making it the perfect spot for indulging in beautiful cakes and scrumptious teas. Moreover, their Science Afternoon Tea has earned the prestigious Best Themed Afternoon Tea award at the 2018 Afternoon Tea Awards. The menu features playful treats, from jellies served in Petri dishes to chocolate spacemen and dinosaur-shaped biscuits, all of which you can enjoy while basking in the sunshine pouring through its quintessentially British Victorian windows. Their <a href="https://ampersandhotel.com/eat-drink/the-drawing-rooms/science-afternoon-tea/">price per person is around £54.50</a>.&nbsp;Best for dog lovers: Romeo and Juliet’s, Hampstead Garden&nbsp;&nbsp;In the heart of Hampstead Garden, we discover Romeo &amp; Juliet’s—a vegan afternoon tea experience unlike any other. As a vegan, you can expect a delightful twist on traditional and much-loved sandwich and cake recipes, such as their vegan coronation chickpea sandwiches, along with vegan cupcakes and mini tarts, which provide the perfect sweet ending to this experience. However, what distinguishes Romeo &amp; Juliet’s is their consideration for every guest. They have worked hard to include everyone—from their Kids’ Afternoon Tea to their unique Doggy Afternoon Tea, ensuring everyone can participate and won’t be excluded from this delectable dining experience. Their <a href="https://romeoandjuliets.co.uk/">price per person is around £38 and the price per dog goes from £18</a>–if your dog is also vegan you will need to indicate that you want a vegan dog menu too.&nbsp;Best luxury afternoon tea: The Savoy, Strand&nbsp;Over the last century, the afternoon tea served at The Savoy has remained a tradition synonymous with timelessness and modern elegance. The Thames Foyer, situated in the heart of the hotel, is where their afternoon tea is served—in a beautiful setting beneath a spectacular glass dome that bathes the space in stunning natural light. Visitors can enjoy a delightful vegan Afternoon Tea menu that features classic and innovative sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and the most delicious cakes, all accompanied by an enchanting live pianist. With over 30 teas available, guests also have the option to add a glass or bottle of champagne or sparkling wine to their experience. With a rich history spanning over a century, Afternoon Tea at The Savoy remains a cherished tradition, blending old-world charm with contemporary luxury. Their <a href="https://www.thesavoylondon.com/experience/afternoon-tea-london/a">price per person is around &nbsp;£80</a>.&nbsp;If you enjoyed this article and want to see more like it, make sure you check out <a href="https://vegclubmagazine.com/article/i-could-never-go-vegan-debunking-misconceptions-around-plant-based-living">our thoughts on the new vegan activist film, 'I Could Never Go Vegan'</a>. Or if you wish to delve into people's personal experiences with veganism, be sure to peruse our <a href="https://vegclubmagazine.com/article/will-callaghan-from-celebrity-manager-to-vegan-entrepreneur">interview with Will Callaghan</a>, the founder of VegClub Magazine. Or find out <a href="https://staging--vegclubmagazine.netlify.app/article/is-flying-that-bad-for-the-environment">if flying is as bad as we think for the environment</a>.

Best vegan afternoon teas in London

Do you know that aviation accounts for only <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/global-aviation-emissions#:~:text=Aviation%20accounts%20for%202.5%25%20of,to%20global%20warming%20to%20date.&amp;text=Flying%20is%20one%20of%20the,of%20the%20world's%20carbon%20emissions.">2.5%</a> of global CO2 emissions whilst it accounts for 11.6% of emissions from transport?&nbsp;&nbsp;In this article, we explore why the aviation sector generates considerable controversy. We will compare the environmental impacts of different travel modes—train, short-haul flights and long-haul flights—and discuss the technological advancements being made to further decarbonise this sector. &nbsp;Controversy in the sky&nbsp;Why does aviation generate so much debate? Although aviation accounts for only 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, it has a significant impact on the carbon footprint of frequent flyers. This disparity is largely because air travel remains unaffordable and inaccessible for some of the population, while billionaires and celebrities frequently travel in private jets.&nbsp;&nbsp;Research indicates that private jets emit at least <a href="https://simpleflying.com/how-bad-are-private-jets-for-the-environment/">10 times</a> more pollutants per passenger compared to commercial airplanes. Consequently, it seems a small number of ultra-wealthy individuals contribute disproportionately to climate change, exacerbating the injustice for the rest of the population who suffer more from its effects, such as flooding and drought.&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9eo9ptr/image/upload/v1714661794/2_7607d4826e.png" alt="2.png">Our World in DataShort-haul vs. long-haul&nbsp;Environmental impacts differ significantly between short and long-haul flights. Short-haul flights are disproportionately harmful due to higher emissions during takeoff and landing. Although long-haul flights emit more overall, they are often deemed necessary for certain inter-continental journeys. For many short trips, especially in Europe, trains offer a viable and significantly less polluting alternative. For example, a flight from Paris to London emits 111.5 kg of carbon, whereas taking the train only emits 22.2 kg.&nbsp;How about taking trains? &nbsp;Choosing train travel over flying can drastically reduce our carbon footprint, which is crucial for those looking to minimise their environmental impact, particularly during holidays in Europe. For example, taking the Eurostar emits only about <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/travel-carbon-footprint#:~:text=Taking%20the%20Eurostar%20emits%20around,emits%20170%20grams%20per%20kilometer.">4 grams</a> of CO2 per passenger kilometre, compared to 154 grams from a short-haul flight. This means the Eurostar’s carbon footprint is only about 4% of that of a flight.&nbsp;However, the main challenge with train travel is often the cost. Train tickets can be prohibitively expensive, deterring people from choosing this greener option. To encourage more sustainable travel choices, governments should consider regulating prices and subsidising train tickets, so that train travel is more accessible and appealing. Such policies would not only promote environmental sustainability but also make eco-friendly travel options more financially viable for the general public.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9eo9ptr/image/upload/v1714900099/Train_ee52820280.jpg" alt="Train">Adobe Express Stock ImagesStrategies for reducing aviation emissions across Europe&nbsp;Although aviation is relatively low in emissions in comparison to other modes of transport, such as shipping or road traffic, we still need to find a way to make it more environmentally sustainable. To effectively reduce aviation emissions, governments need to adopt comprehensive strategies that encompass both domestic and international regulations. These strategies should foster the adoption of biofuels, which are significantly less polluting than conventional jet fuels. For example, the European Union is advancing the use of <a href="https://www.easa.europa.eu/eco/eaer/topics/sustainable-aviation-fuels/saf-policy-actions">sustainable aviation fuels</a> (SAF) through its ReFuelEU Aviation initiative, aiming to increase SAF uptake to 5% by 2030 and to 63% by 2050. In Sweden, the government's tax relief measures for biofuels have boosted their use at Stockholm's Arlanda Airport, with airlines like SAS offering passengers the option to <a href="https://www.sasgroup.net/newsroom/press-releases/2023/sas-makes-it-easier-to-choose-biofuel/">choose biofuel</a> when purchasing tickets, reducing their flights' carbon footprints.&nbsp;In addition to promoting biofuels, there is a critical need to invest in technologies for cleaner and more efficient aircraft engines. The UK government supports Rolls-Royce in developing the <a href="https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/rolls-royce-aims-for-25-fuel-cut-with-new-engine-after-24m-government-investment">UltraFan engine</a>, which is expected to improve fuel efficiency by up to 25%. Similarly, <a href="https://www.wearefinn.com/topics/posts/airbus-weighs-options-for-zeroe-hydrogen-tanks/">Airbus's ZEROe project</a>, supported by various European governments is exploring the feasibility of hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft expected to enter service by 2035. &nbsp;Promoting alternatives to flying for shorter distances can significantly reduce emissions. Investing in high-speed rail networks and improving the integration of different transport modes makes rail travel a competitive alternative to flying. France, for example, has <a href="https://www.railway-technology.com/features/french-short-haul-ban-only-possible-thanks-to-rail/#:~:text=France%20has%20implemented%20a%20ban,investment%20in%20high%2Dspeed%20rail.&amp;text=In%20April%202022%2C%20the%20French,flight%20routes%20in%20the%20country.">banned short-haul</a> domestic flights on routes where trains can cover the journey in under 2.5 hours, utilising its extensive high-speed rail network. Germany has also<a href="https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/germany-invest-3-billion-euros-annually-railway-expansion"> invested</a> heavily in its rail infrastructure and subsidised ticket costs, making train travel a more attractive option for travellers.&nbsp;&nbsp;What can we expect now?&nbsp;Aviation is one of the toughest sectors to decarbonize. While we can use renewable energy sources to power electricity, cars and heating systems, aviation lags behind. Even industries traditionally difficult to clean up, like cement and steel production are finding greener alternatives. However, aviation has not progressed as quickly. As global wealth increases, so too might aviation emissions unless more efficient, cleaner power sources are adopted. The industry must transition from traditional jet fuel to alternatives like electricity, biofuels, or hydrogen to significantly reduce its environmental impact.&nbsp;If you enjoyed this article and want to see more like it, make sure you check out <a href="https://vegclubmagazine.com/article/i-could-never-go-vegan-debunking-misconceptions-around-plant-based-living">our thoughts on the new vegan activist film, 'I Could Never Go Vegan'</a>. Or if you wish to delve into people's personal experiences with veganism, be sure to peruse our <a href="https://vegclubmagazine.com/article/will-callaghan-from-celebrity-manager-to-vegan-entrepreneur">interview with Will Callaghan</a>, the founder of VegClub Magazine. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Is flying that bad for the environment?

Have we all not said it at one point in our lives? ’I Could Never Go Vegan’—a documentary by Thomas Pickering, is an informative and gripping piece of work that intends to inspire the adoption of a whole foods, plant-based diet. Pickering seeks the truth, challenges misconceptions and invites us all to reconsider our beliefs.&nbsp;Pickering has been a vegetarian since birth and uses his knowledge and experience to highlight the benefits of a plant-based diet, as well as the negatives of a carnivorous one. There’s a huge focus on health and fitness at the start of the film, featuring various athletes from all backgrounds. Including British powerlifter, Sophia Ellis, who we accompany on a journey to see if she can win the European deadlift record. The documentary strongly emphasises that we can excel physically without the need for meat and dairy. Additionally, it employs facts and statistics to demonstrate that the human race would be much healthier by consuming a whole foods and vegan diet, even asserting that it could eradicate 80% of diseases treated by the NHS.&nbsp; &nbsp;Beyond health and fitness, the film also disproves arguments around high costs, climate change, even the notion that vegan food isn’t ’good’ or is ’too difficult’ to prepare or purchase. It also debunks the false ideas surrounding ’free range’ and ’grass-fed’ livestock. Informing viewers that ’grass-fed’ animals only have to be outside for a small portion of their lives and ’free range’ hens come with medical issues due to bad treatment and over-re-production. While the documentary includes semi-graphic footage of livestock slaughterhouses, it is not as explicit as productions such as ‘<a href="https://www.dominionmovement.com/watch">Dominion</a>’. Pickering even infiltrates a Red Tractor-approved pig farm to prove that even these trusted farms are not ethical. The pigs he encounters have some of the saddest eyes he has ever seen. Stuffed in cramped conditions, tails docked without anaesthetic, babies removed from their mothers and one ball hanging on a piece of rope for their ’enrichment’, it is evident that standard farming practices in the UK are insufficient.&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9eo9ptr/image/upload/v1713564748/Unknown_63dcc4e6b3.jpg" alt="Unknown.jpeg">I Could Never Go VeganThis documentary serves as a compelling resource for individuals needing persuasion to cease consuming meat. It covers such a vast array of information that it would be challenging to contest the vegan diet. Similarly, vegans seeking to bolster their counter-arguments to the ’I could never go vegan’ statements would find this a valuable resource. If everyone consumed a plant-based diet, 76% less farmland would be used. Dispelling myths about growing soy, we are informed that 73% of all soy is fed to livestock, and humans only consume around 7%. Did you know there is more soya in a piece of chicken breast than in the same weight of tofu? Soya skeptics will not be pleased to hear that one!&nbsp;Despite its weighty content, the documentary concludes on a more inspiring note, discussing how agricultural farming could provide more jobs and that labs are creating innovative cultivated meats—lab-grown meat. Sophia Ellis wins the powerlifting title, 84-year-old Paul Youd completes his Ultra Marathon, and Mike Coppock breaks another ultra running world record, all while on a plant-based diet. Pickering concludes the story by informing viewers that it is not too late for the world to “turn this around”.&nbsp;In conclusion, ’I Could Never Go Vegan’ is a well-presented and persuasive documentary that offers a refreshing perspective on the plant-based lifestyle. With its engaging storytelling and compelling arguments, it has the potential to inspire viewers to reconsider their relationship with food and embrace a more compassionate and sustainable way of living.&nbsp;‘I Could Never Go Vegan’ is in <a href="https://icouldnevergovegan.co.uk/#">UK and Irish cinemas from 19 April</a> and you can view the trailer <a href="https://youtu.be/bkUU5geAsiE">here</a>.&nbsp;If you wish to delve into further articles concerning people’s experiences with veganism, be sure to peruse our <a href="https://vegclubmagazine.com/article/will-callaghan-from-celebrity-manager-to-vegan-entrepreneur">interview with Will Callaghan</a>, the founder of VegClub Magazine. Or find out <a href="https://staging--vegclubmagazine.netlify.app/article/is-flying-that-bad-for-the-environment">if flying is really as bad as we think for the environment</a>.&nbsp;

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‘I Could Never Go Vegan’: Debunking misconceptions around plant-based living

Our first interview could not have been with a finer individual than our founder, Will Callaghan. A Brazilian entrepreneur, he has been residing in Europe for nearly 13 years. Will is vegan, a devout Christian and is also part of the LGBTQ+ community.&nbsp;Will is recognised globally for his collaborations with numerous celebrities from popular TV shows such as The X Factor, Bake Off, The Apprentice, Hell’s Kitchen and many more. He has also worked with stars from the West End and Broadway and major worldwide brands such as Adidas, Lush and Netflix. However, since adopting a vegan lifestyle four years ago, he has dedicated himself to promoting veganism among others.&nbsp;VegClub (VC): Hello Will! Thank you for taking the time to talk to us.&nbsp;When did you become vegan and what was the main reason behind that decision?&nbsp;Will Callaghan (WC): I became vegan in 2020, after contracting COVID in April. At that time, I was already following a vegetarian diet, initially for my health and because I thought it was fashionable to tell people “I am vegetarian.” When COVID struck, I developed the virus very early on. I feared for my life as I needed support breathing with a machine. During that experience, I had a spiritual encounter where God spoke clearly to me. He said he would give me a second chance, but I should use it to do good for the planet and contribute to a better world. At that moment, all that came to my mind and heart were animals, like cows, chickens and pigs. I started to consider that those animals didn’t deserve to suffer for us. So, I knew it was time for me to change my attitude and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Since then, my heart has embraced veganism and grown closer to God, appreciating the opportunity to stay alive. As I always say, “COVID made me vegan, but the animals made me stay vegan.”&nbsp;VC: You talk a lot about God. Where did your connection with him begin?&nbsp;WC: I talk a lot about God because I have always felt his presence and believe he takes care of me, even in the most difficult times of my life. My faith is also cultural; in Brazil, we commonly exercise our faith through various religions, in my case, Christianity. Moreover, as a gay man, I grew up hearing numerous people say that “God does not love gay people and you are going to burn in hell”—of course I never believed in that, but I began to ask myself, “If God loves me as much as I know he does, why did he allow me to be born gay?”—then, I started to accept myself as a human being and became kinder to myself. I began to see that God loved me above everything and anything. Not to mention the moments of sadness and anguish when I felt lost, and he would put the right people in my path to show me how much I was loved. Even to this day, it feels like this. Many times, when my husband and I have faced difficulties, whether financial or in any other aspect, God shows us his care by helping to resolve our situation in the best possible way.&nbsp;VC: For nearly 11 years, you worked in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, looking after the careers of reality show participants and other celebrities. However, you have increasingly moved away from this industry. Is there any special reason behind this decision?&nbsp;WC: Because for nearly 11 years, I lived a life of anxiety and depression as a result of my involvement in the exhausting and illusory celebrity industry. People often say, “Wow! You look after celebrities' careers. How great!”—but the truth is, it’s all an illusion. People can be fake; they smile at you and pat you on the back, but if given the chance, they would stab you in the back to steal what belongs to you. Not to mention that out of the 50 celebrities I worked with, only 3 or 4 were normal people; the rest were arrogant and snobbish. These days, all my projects are focused on the vegan movement and I’m happy to contribute to our community.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9eo9ptr/image/upload/v1714660393/1_CB_10_C31_743_C_41_C6_911_C_8_D81_E6_CFFA_06_0eabb464c2.jpg" alt="1CB10C31-743C-41C6-911C-8D81E6CFFA06.jpeg">Will CallaghanVC: You previously had another digital vegan magazine that you passed on to someone else. What motivated you to return and start VegClub Magazine?&nbsp;WC: I experienced a lot of frustration with my previous magazine. However, it wasn’t with the magazine itself; it was with the people associated with it. I don’t blame those people; I blame myself for entrusting my dreams and projects to individuals who didn’t understand my vision. Especially one person who unfortunately tried to control all of my decisions. Everything I was prohibited from doing with my previous magazine, I’m now accomplishing with VegClub and in just three months, the magazine has been hugely successful. All because I learned that I must manage and conduct my business myself. If the people involved aren’t happy with my decisions, then they can leave.&nbsp;VC: Since becoming vegan you have become involved in animal activism. Although we all know how passionate you are about animal justice, we don’t see much about your activism on social media or in the press. How would you describe your approach to activism?&nbsp;&nbsp;WC: I respect every kind of activism, but in my case, my activism comes from a place of love. Love for the animals, but also love for the people. I believe that if I can explain and talk to people without judgment, it will be easier to introduce them to a vegan lifestyle. I’m not here to judge anyone; I believe the only perfect person was Jesus, and he has been crucified. So, I’d rather have compassion and passion by putting myself in other people’s shoes and together we can work through the process of becoming vegan—or not. Sometimes it doesn’t work at all. But I believe that if I plant the seed through love, at some point, I’ll see the results.&nbsp;VC: Finally, what are your goals for VegClub?&nbsp;WC: I want to live one day at a time without creating too many expectations. My goal is simply to grow because if we grow, it’s because we are reaching a large audience, and if we’re reaching a large audience, it means more people are hearing about veganism. Ultimately, that is all we vegans want; for more and more people to convert to veganism. I hope people understand God gave animals the same right to life as he gave to us.&nbsp;&nbsp;I’m just trying to keep my feet on the ground as VegClub is growing so quickly. This profoundly scares me, but it also makes me very happy. However, I prefer to live each day as it comes so I can be more focused and make better decisions for the magazine, as these decisions can heavily impact our vegan community.&nbsp; If you enjoyed this article and want to see more like it, make sure you check out <a href="https://vegclubmagazine.com/article/i-could-never-go-vegan-debunking-misconceptions-around-plant-based-living">our thoughts on the new vegan activist film, ‘I Could Never Go Vegan</a>’. Or find out <a href="https://staging--vegclubmagazine.netlify.app/article/is-flying-that-bad-for-the-environment">if flying is really as bad as we think for the environment</a>. &nbsp;

Food & Drink

Best vegan afternoon teas in London

Environment

Is flying that bad for the environment?

Entertainment

‘I Could Never Go Vegan’: Debunking misconceptions around plant-based living

Environment

Is flying that bad for the environment?

Environment

Is flying that bad for the environment?

Entertainment

‘I Could Never Go Vegan’: Debunking misconceptions around plant-based living

Entertainment

‘I Could Never Go Vegan’: Debunking misconceptions around plant-based living

Interviews

Will Callaghan: From celebrity manager to vegan entrepreneur

Interviews

Will Callaghan: From celebrity manager to vegan entrepreneur

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