London Vegan Meetup

London Vegan Potluck

March 6 · 6:00 PM
Faraday House

London Vegan Potluck is back for another monthly night. The potluck takes place on the first Wednesday of every month and has been running for almost 2 years. The potluck is in our snappy location in Central London just off High Holborn.

How does it work? What is a potluck? A potluck is an event where like-minded people get together to share homemade food, swap recipes, make friends and talk about topics that interest them.

What is a vegan potluck? It is the same as a potluck but with vegan food! There is no dairy, meat, honey or eggs. The food can be sweet or savoury and our event requires potluckers to provide an ingredients list with their dish as well as utensils to serve it and a plate or bowl to present it on.

Come along for a fabulous night of meeting without meat. If you have friends you would like to invite who are not on Meetup, RSVP are also accepted via the Facebook event page and the Fat Gay Vegan website.

PLEASE NOTE: We are now asking for a £1 donation from each attendee. There are costs and time associated with running the potluck, including occasional security hire costs. In the past this has been somewhat covered by raffles. The majority of costs have come from the organiser's pockets. Your donation will help potluck remain at this wonderful location.

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Jessica

good - I really liked the cinnamon rolls so whoever brought those, I'd love the recipe!!

3 · March 6
- Lewis
  
  I second that!
  
  0 · March 6
- Josh
  
  Here it is http://whatscookingam...
  
  0 · March 9
Josh

A few people asked me for the recipe I used for the cinnamon rolls so here it is: http://whatscookingamerica.net/...

Happy baking x

0 · March 8
Anni

Wow, i was stuffed! Thanks for all the nice food !

0 · March 7
ian perry

great night again, some great deserts, i arrived a little late to get a taste of all the dishes on offer. shame on you who didn't pay, lets just hope it was an oversight.

0 · March 7
FatGayVegan

A big thank you to everyone who paid the donation tonight. About half the attendees paid the donation so hopefully next time that will increase LOL. Other than that... it was a lovely night with so much delicious food. We had 94 people in and a lot of food on the dessert table!

0 · March 6
- Anni
  
  Well.. 1 pound isnt that much... should have been 100%.
  
  2 · March 7
- L.Galvin
  
  Completely agree Anni
  
  0 · March 7
J. Applebee

I really enjoyed the salad with cranberries and cabbage, which was a wonderful combination. There was some smoky lentils in a deep pot that was also spectacular.

As usual, the sweets were fab. The okara chocolate cake and the lemon mousse cupcakes were perfection!

Glad there was more tables to put food on this month. I had a great time.

0 · March 7
Julie

Another great night. Lots of tasty dishes! Thanks everyone! : )

0 · March 7
Jessica Stella Fox

Fab as ever & shame on those who didn't give a £1!! Tut tut tut!! All the best, Jess :) x

0 · March 7
Dumisani

Sorry not feeling well but will hope to see you all soon. Dx

1 · March 6
A former member

Made my banana and bourbon biscuit cake ready :-)

1 · March 6
FatGayVegan

Please note: I have to now ask for a £1 donation from every attendee to help cover costs. There are 3 months of this year where I have needed to pay the building for security as they would otherwise be closed. As I have said above, raffles and such have contributed to a few of these costs but the majority comes from my pocket.

3 · February 26
- View all 21 replies
- Sebastian
  
  How about placing a donation box at the entrance with a sign saying £1 - £3 (3 is a guess). Choose a charity the surplus (if there is any) will be donated to. Or a monthly rotation of charities? Charities are voted for? I reckon this could a) help paying the security and b) help a charity. I know, most people already spend quite a lot of money on their dishes already, but who knows... :) Those who can, give and those who can't, don't.
  
  0 · February 26
- FatGayVegan
  
  Thanks for the thoughts, Sebastian. I want it to be a small amount as I know people don't have much money. My experience of having a box is that it doesn't always inspire people to actually put the money in. I will be asking people to hand me the pound in person.
  
  0 · February 27
- FatGayVegan
  
  And we will still be running raffles and competitions on and off to raise money for charities. We have had a few of these over the course of the potluck and they are great. The Tupperware night was particularly successful as was last month's raffle for Farm Animal Sanctuary.
  
  0 · February 27
- Richard Ⓥ Molyneux
  
  Any other venue possibilities (i.e. ones that don't charge), or is the security necessary to keep rowdy vegans in check? ;-)
  
  0 · February 27
- FatGayVegan
  
  Would love to find a venue that doesn't charge but is big enough for 100 people, let's us use their plates, forks, tables, chairs, lights, water cooler, plastic cups AND dishwashers (yes, plural) for free as well!
  
  0 · February 27
- FatGayVegan
  
  The event is just too big now for anywhere else I feel. Even if we moved somewhere else, we would still need to charge to cover costs of paper plates and forks etc. I know people don't like to pay but it really is a necessary evil in this case.
  
  0 · February 27
- Richard Ⓥ Molyneux
  
  "big enough for 100 people, let's us use their plates, forks, tables, chairs, lights, water cooler, plastic cups AND dishwashers" sounds like most church halls I know (though the dishwashers are usually of the human variety, and they have proper cups and cold water taps, which are much more sustainable) :-) As for "free", I guess that depends on the venue. My Transition group uses a local church hall for free, with a £5 donation for the use of their video projector. Food for thought...
  
  0 · February 27
- Ian McDonald
  
  A free Church hall in central London, Richard? I think if you found one, we'd all be very impressed indeed.
  
  1 · February 27
- FatGayVegan
  
  We can't stay later than 8 as the knock on time of having to clear up goes on too late. I need to tidy, put all the dishes in the two dishwashers that are on separate floors, wash the plates that don't fit in the dishwashers and see that the tablecloths are wiped clean and put away. It is a big job and if the numbers stay as huge as they were last month, it takes a long time. I'm not complaining about the effort but the two hours is just about the right time for me. Especially as I get there an hour before to set up.
  
  1 · February 27
- FatGayVegan
  
  And yes! If anyone knows of a free hall of any kind (church or otherwise) with all of the above things mentioned including enough chairs for 100 people in Central London, please hook us up! That would be awesome.
  
  0 · February 27
- Julie
  
  Just for the record I think you do a fantastic job. : )
  
  6 · February 27
- Richard Ⓥ Molyneux
  
  Ditto to Julie's comment... I guess the only remaining question is how much you've had to pay (Was that in advance, as we've only had 2 months of 2013 so far?) and whether, if no free venue is forthcoming, it's possible to find a suitable place that works out cheaper in the long run. As an eco-worrier, I'd still love to see a reduction in the use of disposables and bottled water...
  
  0 · February 28
- Richard Ⓥ Molyneux
  
  Just taking a look at some Quaker halls, having spoken earlier to a veg*n Quaker I know. Good to see some venues are even VegSoc Approved! (e.g. http://www.friendshou...) Probably too pricey, but only just started looking around.
  
  0 · February 28
- Tanya. T
  
  i think its fair that you ask £1 or £2, and yes you put in the effort to make it a good nite.
  
  0 · March 1
- Napak
  
  Sorry to hear that you had to cover the cost, Sean. Definitely not fair on you, I always wanted to thank you for your time and effort, didn't know for your money too! Of course, free venue would be awesome, but in the mean time, £1 donation is totally fair. Raffles is a good idea and fun, but I heard some people said they didn't want to get involved in any forms of gambling. (including raffles). To me, this venue is perfect considering its facilities and location, and just the security cost we have to pay, while others might even cost more. It's so unlikely to have a free hall in central London that is suitable for this big event, though it's worth trying.
  
  1 · March 1
- FatGayVegan
  
  Thanks for your kind words, Napak. We don't always have to pay but when we do it is because the building would be otherwise closed out of term time and we have to pay to keep it open by paying for security to be there. It is a university with millions of dollars worth of equipment, so they are unlikely to let us be there on our own. Some months when we have had to pay, I have done so out of my own pocket. Once we had the tombola to contribute to costs. For 2 years now I have covered costs such as disposable forks and plates for when people take an extra plate or fork to serve their food even after I ask them not to. I have bought napkins.
  
  0 · March 1
- FatGayVegan
  
  I have purchased metal forks to replenish the Faraday House kitchen because over the past year many, many forks have gone missing. The small fee of £1 will be greatly appreciated and will go to recouping some of these costs and futre costs. I think it is worth it. The potluck is one of the best in the world. The venue is safe, secure, central and clean with heating and toilets. We are extremely fortunate to have it.
  
  3 · March 1
- Kip
  
  A lot of people might talk about doing events supposedly better or for less money, but you're the only one who puts the time and energy in to make things happen. Anyway I think it is absolutely fair to ask for a pound or two from people. In fact I would have no problem paying more so that you could make a personal profit, especially since organizing vegan events is what you do for a living (and you do such a thorough job).
  
  2 · March 1
- Amanda Andrews
  
  Hi Sean, I came to my first potluck last month as I'm a new member and loved it. Had I known you were out of pocket I would have paid you there and then. Marky and I have no problem paying £2-3 each month.
  
  I had no idea how much work it involved afterwards either. Thanks for all your hard work and see you on Wednesday xx
  
  0 · March 2
- FatGayVegan
  
  Thanks Amanda. £1 should be fine as some months I don't have to pay for security so it will all even out.
  
  0 · March 2
- MJ
  
  I will happily contribute. Sean you do an amazing job for all of us and we appreciate it!
  
  0 · March 6
Lewis

Hoping to pop along but due to life / work / exams I hardly been home let alone had a chance to get in the kitchen. More than happy to bring drinks / food etc...any issues please do not hesitate to tell me where to go. All the best Lewis

1 · March 5
- View all 3 replies
- FatGayVegan
  
  Come along!
  
  0 · March 5
- FatGayVegan
  
  Bring drinks!
  
  0 · March 5
- MJ
  
  Lewis we haven't seen you at all this year! You should definitely come tonight. With drinks :-) x
  
  0 · March 6
ian perry

said i was coming, not too sure at the moment though as my leg is killing me, i will see how i feel this afternoon, but hope i'm ok to come, love this meetup. x

1 · March 6
Anni

Unfortunately no one would like to eat anything that has been prepared in the kitchen of my current flatshare (baaaah), thats why id like to ask if i can bring something that i bought (of course vegan) and if yes if there is any good food which i should bring. (sorry for my english o.O) Sorry im new in London :>

1 · March 6
- FatGayVegan
  
  Hello Anni. I know fruit is always appreciated at the potluck. I look forward to seeing you tonight.
  
  0 · March 6
Stephanie Wakeford

To all those beautiful people that were going to bring me clothes donations this evening..please don't. I might not be able to make it due to work commitments. Thank you xxx

0 · March 6
Richard Ⓥ Molyneux

Sorry, my 'maybe' has to become a 'no', as I'll no longer be up in town. Still investigating those possible alternative venues...

0 · March 5
Shelley

Had to work late, no time to prepare for tomorrow's meal now. Sorry, will miss ya :-(!

0 · March 5
- FatGayVegan
  
  See you next time. Sorry you can't make it.
  
  1 · March 5
FatGayVegan

More than 90 people have RSVPd. 90! Wear your eating trousers.

Just a reminder of a few things. I am now asking for a £1 donation from each attendee. Please bring your own serving utensils and a plate/bowl to serve your dish on. Please, please, PLEASE only take one plate and one fork at the event to eat with. Do not take a fork to put in your dish for serving. If you need a knife or spoons or cups for serving your dish, you need to bring them.

Remember we have to be out at 8pm so be early. The earlier you are, the more food choices you get! Remember that a group of three people can't show up with one small dish. Everyone needs to contribute. If bringing drinks, check they are vegan!

See you all tomorrow!

Sean xx

1 · March 5
Cathy

My first time at a pot luck, so looking forward! HUGE thanks to the organsers, looks fab!!

1 · March 5
Stephanie Wakeford

Cheesecake was inedible...I'll see you at the next one. Lol.

0 · March 5
Anni

Im really excited, ive heard it will be amazing! Cant wait :)

1 · March 4
FatGayVegan

60 people have RSVP'd so far! We might not hit the dizzy heights of 101 of last month, but more than 60 people means a lot of lovely food! xx

2 · March 3
Petra

Just becoming a vegan and will be great to meet like-minded people and get inspired :)) I am a freshie!

1 · February 27
Robb

I thought it might be a good idea to agree on the post potluck pub in advance, for those who fancy a cheeky one (or more) afterwards. Last month, we went to the Cittie of Yorke, and I suggest we go back again this month. It's a Sam Smith's, so plenty of vegan beers. And they had a decent amount of space. (Plus no arsey landlord, for those who remember our previous watering hole!) All welcome. Here's a map: http://goo.gl/maps/ItBUa

0 · February 27
Sarah Lamey

Hmm what to bring what to bring!?!

1 · February 25
Jessica

I thought the potluck was going to be at a new location? Is it still at Faraday House in March??

0 · February 17
- Robb
  
  Are you getting confused with drinks? I didn't think the potluck was moving...
  
  0 · February 17
- Jessica
  
  Oh ok - I guess I was getting mixed up. Heading off to vegan drinks now so hoping that hasn't relocated! I see it still says Tibits so we'll see!
  
  0 · February 21
LiLi (Kathleen Bright)

Squeebounce!

1 · February 20
Jessica Stella Fox

I'm making something sweet this time, just have to work out what I'm going to choose to do...I have a few ideas knocking about... :) x

0 · February 13
Richard Ⓥ Molyneux

I'm a 'maybe' for now.

0 · February 11
- Richard Ⓥ Molyneux
  
  Grrrr! RSVP comments now showing ^ here ^ and not on the right... Meetup?! Messup more like!
  
  0 · February 11