ALL LEAF NO BEEF TERIYAKI

© Chopstix Noodle Bar

Fast Food

UK Chinese Food Chain Chopstix Noodle Bar Launches No Beef’ Teriyaki Dish in 100 Locations

Chopstix Noodle Bar, operating over 100 locations throughout the UK, has launched a plant-based Teriyaki Beef dish created by Miami Foods called ‘All Leaf, No Beef’ Teriyaki to its stores across the nation in celebration of Veganuary. The noodle bar first launched 20 years ago in the famous Camden Market and now operates locations in almost every major town and city in the UK. The chain launched its first vegan dish — Green Thai Tofu Curry — in 2019, and has since added further vegan options including Pumpkin Katsu Curry and Salt ‘N’ Pepper Potatoes. The new Teriyaki dish entails plant-based ‘beef’ strips with peppers, onions, and Chopstix’ secret recipe sweet Teriyaki sauce. The producer of the vegan beef is London’s Miami Foods, which offers …

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World Vegan Day Collage

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People

Messages From Vegan Business Leaders on World Vegan Day, Part 1

On this World Vegan Day, we at vegconomist felt that this year it was especially important to boost morale in the industry and share insights and advice amongst the community. We asked business leaders: as we approach the end of what has been a turbulent year for many in the business, what is your message for the plant-based industry as we look ahead to 2024? Here we share messages from figures in the UK vegan business scene: CEO of VFC and Meatless Farm, Dave Sparrow; Senior Brand Manager at OGGS, Joe Farrar; Co-Founder & CMO at Better Nature Tempeh, Elin Roberts; CEO of Citizen Kind, Emma Osborne;  and CEO of Miami Foods, Loui Blake. Dave Sparrow, VFC: “Clear strategy” Firstly, happy World Vegan Day to …

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Chopstix Noodle Bar

© Chopstix Noodle Bar

Food Service

Chopstix Noodle Bar Launches Vegan Beef Stir Fry in Partnership With Miami Foods

UK chain Chopstix Noodle Bar has launched a new topping, Plant Based ‘Beef’ Stir-Fry, at selected stores. The menu option consists of plant-based beef strips, peppers, onions, chillies, garlic, and Chopstix’s Top Secret Stir Fry Sauce. It can be paired with a starchy base such as noodles, or another vegetable-based dish. Initially, the topping will be available at six Chopstix locations — Manchester, Trafford, Peterborough Extra Services, and three London restaurants (Westfield, Lewisham, and Oxford Street). It will roll out nationwide over the coming months. Chopstix Noodle Bar first launched at London’s Camden Market 20 years ago, and now has over 90 stores nationwide. The chain introduced its first vegan option, Green Thai Tofu Curry, in 2019 following significant consumer demand. Miami Foods The plant-based …

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Loui Blake

© Loui Blake

Interviews

Loui Blake: “My Belief in This Space Has Never Been Stronger”

London-based Loui Blake is known for is work as an entrepreneur, angel investor and public speaker in the plant-based space. Loui opened the UK’s largest vegan restaurant Erpingham House back in 2018 before going on to co-found pizza kitchen Vegan Dough Co during the pandemic, and most recently was named as new CEO of Miami Foods in May of this year. Loui has been busy since we last spoke three years ago, to say the least. We also heard of some exciting developments on the Miami Foods front, so it was time to catch up with Loui and hear his latest news and insights into plantbased business in 2022. Tell us a bit about what you’ve been up to since we last spoke in 2019. …

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© Miami Foods

Company News

Miami Foods Names Loui Blake as New CEO Amid Triple Digit YOY Growth

Vegan entrepreneur Loui Blake has been appointed the CEO of UK rapidly-growing plant-based brand Miami Foods. Previously known as Miami Burger, the vegan producer of clean label alt meats has recently announced triple-digit year-on-year growth since its inception in 2019 and will now enter the retail space after developing its bespoke white label service. Currently available in foodservice as well as retailers including Ocado and Asda, Miami Foods’ appointment of Loui Blake as CEO comes as the company doubles the size of its team to meet the growing demand for its products. Blake, who initially joined Miami as an investor in November 2021, will take over as CEO from 1st June as the company prepares for its series A later this year.  The founder of …

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