Two important updates I have for you this week.

First: thevegangazette.com is on track and should be online by the end of the month. Once it’s up, you’ll find all the content I’ve shared through the newsletter so far. And then, it’ll be time to gather, meet, tell, and share even more.

The platform will spotlight those who embrace veganism whether for political, activist, environmental, or personal reasons and celebrate the innovators shaping plant-based breakthroughs. From curated city guides to vegan places and plates, to deep-dive feature articles, The Vegan Gazette will offer a lens into a world where food, ethics, science, and culture collide.

In a time when environmental, ethical, and health issues are gaining more attention, The Vegan Gazette aims to be a motivating force, guiding people toward more conscious choices and shaping the future of a compassionate world.

Second: My Vegan South London Map is gone just by the time I was about to write An Arbitrary Guide to Brixton, following the first The Arbitrary Guide to Peckham. I spent years building it—from Brixton pad thai spots to Crystal Palace bakeries, Camberwell sandwich finds to Brockley wine shops. One morning, I woke up ready to head out and explore Tooting Bec after a quick stop at Pipoca, Brixton. I opened Google Maps and... Nothing. It had vanished.

City, urban, food, and travel writers will understand the heartbreak. As will academics who’ve ever lost their References or Bibliography. If anyone has a clue where it might have gone (I suspect it was linked to a deleted email address), please let me know how I can recover all that curation.

So, two big tasks ahead: launch thevegangazette.com and get back to the South London hunts. Suggestions very welcome.

Here’s a sneak peek at our sixteenth issue before you dive in:

The Place: Beaten by A Whisker, Endorsed by Regulars 
The News: Green Party Deputy Leader Zack Polanski urged London Mayor Sadiq Khan to make free plant-based meals the default at City Hall and other public catering settings.
The Destination: Immersed in Thai nature: Kapuhala Koh Samui.
The Plate: The Nigerian tapas experience: Moi Moi at Chuku’s, Tottehham.

If you’re just joining us, here’s a link to our previous issues. Send me your questions about veganism at [email protected] so I can research, dig deeper, and come up with some mind-opening thoughts.

Hazal

Beaten by A Whisker, Endorsed by Regulars

Words by: Hazal Yılmaz

A sunny day. Friday, to be exact. I’m devouring an aubergine parm sandwich at the Black Cat Café, lover Clapton, before heading off to catch some sunshine at Hackney Downs Studios. My fellow vegan friend tells me about the Basque cheesecake she had at that vegan bakery. But she can’t remember the name for a split second. I start naming places: Third Culture Deli, Okja, Wave, even Arapina—which I'm not the biggest fan of.

“None of the above,” she says. “It’s in North London, Walthamstow, I think.”

“In Walthamstow?” I repeat. Flabbergasted, in utter shock for not knowing or having even heard of it. She’s more bewildered by my lack of knowledge of this incredible vegan bakery. She consults her Google Maps for saved and favourited places and tells me:

“It’s called Beaten by a Whisker, just at the exit of St James Overground—sorry, Weaver Line.”

I ask, “And all vegan?” —bewildered. She nods, smiling. I double-check. Instagram confirms. Triple-check. Their website confirms.

Eight year vegan in this city, I thought I knew it all vegan, vegan-adjacent, vegan-friendly places. Apparently not. Still a lot to learn.

The following week, without hesitation, I get on Windrush Lane, get out at Whitechapel, take the Elizabeth Line in the Liverpool Street direction, and change to a third form of transport toward Chingford. Within almost one hour of travel time, I’m at Beaten By A Whisker.

The first impression. The smell. The luscious aroma of cinnamon—soon revealed to be coming from the buns. Herbaceous fragrance of focaccia. A note of roasted walnut, guessing: banana, walnut and maple bread. But the most predominant scent? Freshly baked bread occupying trays. I’m waiting behind four people. They all order mushroom and onion sausage rolls. Eight, seven, six left. I’m initially torn between the broccoli and sausage roll mini focaccia, and the spicy tomato focaccia, but with the high demand, the decision is made for me when I’m asked what I’d like. “The mushroom roll and an oat latte to stay. A plum frangipane to take away.”

But a new dilemma awaits as the roasted squash begins to suffuse the open-air kitchen and seating area. To sandwich or not to sandwich? What makes a good sub? The bread, to start with. Has to be freshly made, in my personal choice, warm and crispy. The spread, which I call the foundation. At home, it’s mostly basil hummus. At Beaten by A Whisker, according to the blackboard on the wall, today it’s soy labneh accompanied by pistachio dukkah and zhoug. Sounds like a titbit to try for. Squash as the main veg, kale for greenery.

Well, in that situation: of course, to sandwich.

The first bite reveals it all. After the exquisite Kimchi Face-Plant at the Chatsworth Bakehouse, this is a close competitor. And the news that it changes weekly.  Can’t wait to try the upcoming novelty on the menu and for Beaten by a Whisker to open a second shop in South London. Because let’s be honest: this is the kind of beloved haunt all vegans wish for and deserve.

What to get:  I’ve tried four items on the menu and pretty much fell in lust with all of them. I’ll go out on a whim and say: anything. But definitely the daily sandwich, because they’ve got such a unique plant-based way of building them.

A must-try: I came for the Basque cheesecake, but it was all gone by the time I got there. A reason to come back, I believe, since I’ve heard so much about how succulent it is.

Only on the weekend: They bake tarts. This week’s, as affiché on the website, is courgette, pea, and garden herbs.

Address: Unit 3, 5a Old Brewery Way, London E17 7FJ

Polanski Pushes for Plant-Based Policy at City Hall

Zack Polanski, a Green Party London Assembly Member, has been actively working to advance plant-based initiatives in the city. In collaboration with Viva! and other experts, he recently co-hosted an event at City Hall aimed at promoting plant-based policies. Polanski plans to present a series of proposals to Mayor Sadiq Khan, including making free school meals plant-based by default. As a first step, he’s advocating for the City Hall canteen to offer plant-based options, aligning with his broader goal of embedding sustainability and animal welfare into London’s public institutions.

Immersed in nature: Kapuhala Koh Samui

Why go: Born from the expertise of plant-based chef Crystal Lee and her husband, Ironman competitor Stefano Passarello, Kapuhala Koh Samui is a holistic experience. The resort invites you to slow down and reconnect with nature, with five Tented Villas and four Seaview Farmhouses.

Not to miss: Their bio-hacking, circadian rhythm-based training, and workshops on how a plant-based diet can boost longevity. Whether it’s a yoga session overlooking the ocean, guided hikes through lush landscapes, or functional fitness classes, Kapuhala encourages guests to stay active and embrace a balanced lifestyle during and after their stay.

Adress: Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand