Welcome back to edition #2!

I’ve decided I won’t keep numbering these in the future, but for now, it’s fun to celebrate that this little project is up and running. Excited to keep sharing all things vegan in Toronto with you!

This week I visited Fatty Bear, Emirates adds 300+ vegan dishes to its flights, Nestlé says goodbye to its vegan KitKat, Aunty Em’s expands into vegan pizza, and Jinglepear Deli fully moves online. Plus, plenty of events—from chocolate and soap-making to activism and speed dating.

Enjoy!

Week of Feb 6 - 12:

News:

• I recently visited Fatty Bear Vegan Pastries, a delightful pop-up located at 1607 Dupont Street, Toronto. Their selection includes an array of 100% vegan baked goods, such as several types of flaky croissants and cinnamon buns. They are open Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (or until sold out) until Spring 2025. Orders can be placed online for pick-up or local delivery on weekends. I tried the Pain au Chocolat and the Almond Croissant and both were delicious.

• For the latest menu and ordering details, you can check their Instagram page.

• Aunty Em's Deli & Coffee is expanding with Aunty Em’s Pizza, now serving vegan pizzas every Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday from 5-8 PM. After the success of their monthly pizza nights, they’re making it a permanent offering. Walk in for a slice or order delivery via Uber Eats! 🍕✨
  

• As of January 2025, Jinglepear Deli operates exclusively online, offering delivery services across the Greater Toronto Area.

Events:

• Vegan Soap Making Workshop
  📅 Date: Friday, February 7, 2025, at 7:00 PM
  📍 Location: Studio Mooi, Toronto

  🧼 Learn the art of vegan soap making in this hands-on workshop hosted by MadeByMe Co. Participants will be guided through the process of creating their own soaps using natural, cruelty-free ingredients. All materials are provided, and you'll leave with your handcrafted soaps and the knowledge to continue making them at home. No prior experience is needed.

  🎟️ Tickets start at $156.75. Register here

• Honey's Expands to Leslieville
  📍 1026 Queen Street East, Toronto

  Honey's Ice Cream, a beloved dessert spot from Toronto’s west end, has officially arrived in Leslieville! Known for their artisanal vegan ice creams, this new location brings their signature sweet treats to the east end community.

  Bad Attitude Bread Pop-Up at Honey's Leslieville
  📅 Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 1 PM onwards

  To celebrate the new shop, Bad Attitude Bread is teaming up with Honey’s for the ultimate sweet collab! They’ve even created a special ice cream flavour together, available exclusively at Honey’s. Stop by the Leslieville location this Saturday for a pop-up packed with fresh pastries, scoops, and pints—because who says you can’t put ice cream on a croissant? Great news for east-enders!

• The Winter Chocolate Show
  📅 Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  📍 Location: Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library

  🍫 Indulge in a celebration of artisanal chocolate at this annual event featuring a bustling marketplace, tastings, and expert-led seminars. Discover a wide variety of bean-to-bar chocolates, truffles, and confections from top chocolatiers. Vegan-friendly exhibitors will be present, offering delicious dairy-free options.

  🎟️ Tickets available now ($15): Here

• Brown Sugar Bakery Valentine's Pop-Up at ALK
  📅 Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  📍 Location: 100 Broadview Ave, Toronto

  🍪 Celebrate Valentine's Day with sweet treats from Brown Sugar Bakery at this special pop-up event. Expect a selection of beautifully crafted vegan baked goods, perfect for gifting or indulging yourself. Arrive early for the best selection!

  📢 No tickets required—just drop by!

• Vegan Speed Dating Event

  📅 Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM EST

  📍 Location: Online (via DateNight AI platform)

  Details: In partnership with PETA, DateNight AI is hosting a virtual speed dating event for compassionate, plant-based individuals seeking meaningful connections. Price is $15 if registered by Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:00 PM EST; $20 thereafter. Event page

Activism:

• AR Chats at Wishbone
  📅 Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  📍 Location: Wishbone Animal Rights Lab, 600 Bay Street, Suite 305, Toronto

  Join fellow animal rights activists for a collaborative session at Wishbone Animal Rights Lab. The agenda includes discussions on effective activism strategies and a focus on FurFree Toronto's initiatives. Additionally, planning will commence for the 2025 Toronto Animal Rights March, with date selection and volunteer opportunities for those interested in organizing.

  🎟️ For more info: See here

• PetSmart Online Pressure Campaign
  📅 Date: Monday, February 10, 2025, 10:00 AM – Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 9:00 PM
  📍 Location: Online Event

  Join a 3-day online campaign urging PetSmart to cease the sale of live animals. The campaign is structured as follows:

  • Day 1 (February 10): Social Media Comment Blast
    Engage on PetSmart's social media platforms to voice concerns about the sale of live animals.

  • Day 2 (February 11): Phone Call Initiative
    Contact PetSmart's customer service to communicate the request to stop selling live animals.

  • Day 3 (February 12): Email Campaign
    Send pre-written emails advocating for the ban on live animal sales.

  This coordinated effort aims to apply pressure on PetSmart to change their policy regarding live animal sales.

  For more details and participation guidelines, please visit animalrightstoronto.com.

The Toronto Vegan Restaurants Guide 2025

World Vegan News:

• Emirates now offers 300+ vegan dishes across all cabins and lounges, serving plant-based meals like Thai red curry tofu, polenta cake, and chocolate mousse. Sourced sustainably, these options are available on all flights and can be pre-ordered for a seamless vegan dining experience.

• Nestlé is discontinuing its vegan KitKat, "KitKat V," due to lower-than-expected demand. Launched in 2021, the dairy-free chocolate bar was praised by plant-based consumers but struggled to compete in the market. Fans are disappointed, with many calling for its return.

In the Near Future:

*(more info will come closer to the dates)

• AJA Lunchtime Live: What the Studies Say About Animal vs Plant-Based Meat
  📅 Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET
  📍 Location: Online via Zoom

  Join Dr. Matthew Nagra, a Naturopathic Doctor and lead researcher of a meta-analysis published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, as he discusses findings from studies spanning 1970 to 2023 comparing plant-based and animal-based meats. The discussion will cover how plant-based meat alternatives, even those considered "ultra-processed," are more heart-healthy than animal meats, supporting reductions in weight and cholesterol, and providing more dietary fiber. Dr. Nagra will also offer tips on effectively dispelling myths about plant-based meats.

  training.animaljusticeacademy.com

  🎟️ Register for free: https://training.animaljusticeacademy.com/lunchtime-live-registration-02132025

• Build Your Own Pizza Class at PLANTA Yorkville
  📅 Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  📍 Location: PLANTA Yorkville

  🍕 Create your dream plant-based pizza with fresh ingredients at this hands-on class. Enjoy a mushroom carpaccio appetizer, a mini dessert pizza, and wine samples from The Living Vine while your dough rises.

  🎟️ More details: PLANTA Yorkville

• Animal Liberation Plant-Based Vietnamese Cooking Class
  📅 Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
  📍 Location: Animal Liberation Kitchen, 100 Broadview Ave, Toronto

  👩‍🍳 Join Animal Liberation Kitchen for a hands-on vegan cooking class where participants will learn to prepare a variety of plant-based dishes. Wine included.
  

Do you have a business or event that you think should be listed? Email us at [email protected] to submit a request.