Valentine’s Day is here. If you’re planning an evening out and you’re local to Los Angeles, there might be some space left at these romantic restaurants, all of which have special deals in honor of the day of love. Or if you’re across the pond, you can try your luck with a meal at London’s new (and only) Michelin-starred vegan restaurant, Plates London. Alternatively, maybe surprise your special person or friend with a future reservation as a Valentine’s gift. Staying in? We highly recommend you spend the evening whipping up one of these delicious heart-shaped chocolate cakes.
Not interested in Valentine’s Day? Totally valid. It’s also been a week of exciting non-romantic-themed news. Keep reading to find out about the National Basketball Players Association’s new Beyond Meat cookbook, as well as the latest chain to drop their dairy-free milk charge (we spy a trend). We also have the lowdown on new vegan products, the official new energy bar of the Aspen Mountains, and more.
Vegan food news
This week in food news, Beyond Meat partners with professional basketball players, Juicy Marbles launches Meaty Meat, Jambar goes to Aspen, Deliciously Ella saves Allplants, and more.
Beyond Meat
Beyond Meat partners with NBPA to launch a cookbook
Popular California brand Beyond Meat has partnered with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) to launch a new cookbook, called Go Beyond The Buzzer. The cook is filled with recipes inspired by some of America’s biggest basketball stars, including Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan, and Cade Cunningham. The cookbook, which features recipes like Beyond Steak Creamy Chimichurri Bowl and Beyond Beef Bolognese, is currently available to download for free from the Beyond Meat website.
Jambar is the official energy bar of the Aspen Mountains
Whole-food energy bar brand Jambar is the official energy bar partner of Aspen Snowmass, a group of four resorts in the Aspen Mountains. The new partnership means that the brand’s plant-based, organic bars will now be sold in 18 locations across the skiing hotspot. The brand is also set to host multiple tasting days in the mountains, which will feature celebrity athletes. “Using organic whole food ingredients, produced without the use of toxic synthetic pesticides, I formulated Jambars to provide complete protein and optimal nutrition for weekend warriors and elite athletes alike,” said founder Jennifer Maxwell in a statement. “The brand partnership with Aspen Snowmass is certainly a summit in our company’s growth.”
Allplants
Deliciously Ella founder buys Allplants
Ella Mills, the founder of Deliciously Ella, has bought British plant-based meal platform Allplants out of administration. The brand will now become part of Mills’ own platform, Plants. “The plant-based category should be synonymous with real, nourishing food, yet for too long it has been dominated by ultra-processed meat alternatives, a trend now in steep decline,” said Mills and her business partner and husband Matthew in a statement on social media. “We’re here to try and change that, and to reimagine the plant-based fixture with delicious, natural, quick wins for clever cooks.”
Morocco’s first vegan milk brand has launched
The dairy-free milk market is growing. Morocco has just welcomed its first brand in the category, called Nabatlé, which will sell oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk across the country. The brand is owned by Jaouda, a Moroccan agri-food company, which posted about the launch on Instagram, stating that the new brand “celebrates the innovation, know-how and creativity of our country.”
Juicy Marbles
Juicy Marbles launches vegan lamb in North America
Juicy Marbles specializes in plant-based whole cuts that are just as meaty, tender, and juicy as animal products. The Slovenian brand makes everything from baby ribs to thick-cut filets, and recently, it launched a new product called Meaty Meat in the US and Canada. The product’s name is deliberately vague so people can fit it into any recipe they like, however, it’s designed to be closest to a cut of lamb. “Yes, it may have a dumb name. But once you try it, Meaty Meat will become your ride-or-die meat,” the brand states.
Violife launches a lentil-based creamer
Violife is known widely for its vegan cheese products, but the Greek brand recently also announced the launch of a new line of creamers. The dairy-free products come in a range of flavors, including Seductive Caramel and Tempting Vanilla, and are made using a base of lentil protein.
New study says alternative protein may create 250,000 jobs in Germany
Germany’s alternative protein market is heating up. Recent research by Systemiq even predicted that the sector could promote major economic growth in the country and open up around 250,000 new jobs. Sophie Hermann, partner at Systemiq, said of the study: “With strong investment and policy support, Germany can position itself as a leader in protein diversification, driving strong innovation to secure future-proof jobs, economic growth, sustainability, and food security.” Read more here.
Vegan restaurant news
This week in restaurant news, Tim Hortons says goodbye to extra dairy-free milk charges, Odd Burger heads to Calgary Co-Op, and Mike Tyson and Mr. Charlie’s launch an interesting (and tasty) new collaboration.
Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons is the latest to end its dairy-free milk surcharge
Tim Hortons—which has almost 700 locations in the US and more than 3,000 in Canada— is the latest coffee chain to stop charging customers extra for dairy-free milk. The move follows Starbucks US and Scooter’s Coffee (which we covered in last week’s food news), both of which made similar moves in the last few months. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) praised the coffee giant’s decision and urged more companies to follow suit. “PETA celebrates Tim Hortons’ decision and urges holdout coffee chains, like Peet’s, to stop milking kind consumers who choose animal- and planet-friendly vegan milk,” said the organization’s executive vice president Tracy Reiman.
Odd Burger launches in Calgary Co-Op
Canadian vegan restaurant chain Odd Burger has expanded its retail presence by launching frozen plant-based products, including Crispy Chickun Fillets, Smash Burgers, and Breakfast Sausages, in Calgary Co-Op stores across Alberta. “We are proud to support a Canadian-owned and operated business, like Odd Burger,” said Calgary Co-Op’s meat category director James Lelonde in a statement. “We see tremendous potential for the Odd Burger retail line with our customers and we are thrilled to make them available at all of our retail locations.”
Mr. Charlie’s
Mr. Charlie’s launches McFlurry-inspired ice cream
Los Angeles-based vegan restaurant Mr.Charlie’s, which is known for recreating McDonald’s menu classics with plant-based ingredients, has launched Mr. Fluff-Head ice cream inspired by the McFlurry. These aren’t just any ice creams—they are made with potato milk and feature “Mike’s Bites” (chocolate pieces shaped like ears). “Mr. Charlie’s is all about flipping the script—whether it’s on fast food, second chances, or what people expect from plant-based eating,” Tyson said in a statement. “I’ve been passionate about plant-based living for years, and bringing ‘Mike’s Bites’ to this launch is the perfect way to celebrate a brand that’s all about doing things differently.”
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
JUMP TO ... Latest News | Recipes | Guides | Health | Subscribe
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
