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On January 5th, the Blacksmith and Toffeemaker in Islington made the decision to ditch meat and dairy from their menu and switch to a fully vegan menu. Not only is this pub right on trend, it says that sales are three times what they would expect at this time of year.
Photo: Ross Vincent Edwards (Instagram [email protected])
Keen to start the year off on the right foot, The Blacksmith & Toffeemaker, a London pub in Islington, recently made the decision to thronw out their meat grinder and launched a completely vegan menu, incuding all the drinks served at the bar.
Sustainability
The reasons behind this pub’s change of heart were as varied and compelling as for any individual who decides to embrace veganism.
Explains General Manager, Sam Pryor:
“From a sustainability point of view it’s tragic to see the huge amount of resources that go into feeding livestock for meat only for us to have to throw unsold meat out once it’s past its use-by date. No matter how smart you are with ordering, there is always waste where meat and dairy products are involved. This aspect isn’t really seen by the customer but most people in the trade would acknowledge that it is a big issue.”
In a bid to be as sustainable as possible, the pub doesn’t serve straws with their drinks, and all of their menus, napkins, toilet paper, and takeaway bags and boxes are made with recycled materials.
Food waste
The pub is also keen to tackle the amount of food waste they produce and claim: “Nearly all waste from the bar is sent for recycling and our food waste is collected and used to create renewable energy through anaerobic digestion.”
Reducing food waste was a key driver, but so too was concern over the use of animals. Sam describes intensive farming as ‘horrifying’ and says it is something the pub was unwilling to be complicit in.
He also describes the “unstoppable drive for more land to grow animal feed, communities displaced and workers exploited to provide something that we end up simply throwing away” as being fundamentally unethical.
Flavour-packed menu
And so, on January 5, out went the meat grinder and in came an inventive and flavour-packed menu that includes a ‘Halloumi’ and kimchi burger; a spicy Indian street food-style burger; and a Chorizo, jalapeno and refried bean grilled sandwich. But it’s the Green Mac n Cheese made with fresh basil and spinach pesto that has proven itself among the most popular of dishes.
‘Many people actually prefer the new vegan version.’ says Sam who, like many of the pub’s staff, has been vegan for the past year.
So, 10 days into the new plant-based regime and how is it working out? ‘It’s incredible’ reports Sam. “Everything we make we sell. Any increase in ingredient prices are offset by the lack of waste and we basically have free marketing courtesy of the incredibly supportive vegan community. Everyone is willing us to succeed which is something you just don’t get with any other crowd.”
Vegan for life
And the big question: is this a decision for Veganuary or will the pub stay plant-based for the rest of the year?
“We are 100% staying vegan for as long as the pub is standing,” says Sam who fully expects his customer base to increase. “Organisations such as Veganuary are increasing the profile of veganism in the UK all the time and the number of people choosing a vegan diet is growing exponentially.”
