Introducing Kevin – our first vegan pie
Did someone say vegan pie?
We’ve been making pies for nearly 15 years and every single one of them is famous for its exceptionally good (but undeniably buttery) pastry. So, to create a knock-your-socks-off vegan version has been one of our biggest challenges so far. But after nearly a year of mixing, baking and many a taste test (it’s a tough job but someone has to do it!), we believe we’ve created the most delicious vegan pastry we’ve ever tried. Farewell socks. So this January we’re welcoming Kevin, our first vegan pie, to the menu. Made with British chestnut mushrooms, tomato and red wine with baby onions, red quinoa and thyme, it’s a wholesome, hearty pie that really deserves a try.
Why Vegan?
We believe that everyone should be able to indulge in a good pie, and having nailed our gluten free and classic pastry, we thought it was high time we created a 100% plant-based recipe. Carrying the trusted Vegan Society trademark, Kevin has all the taste, texture and general deliciousness you’d find in any well-made British pie and is great for vegans and vegetarians looking for a quick dish to tuck into. And as plant-based eating grows in popularity in the UK, we’re hoping that this pie will not only appeal to the growing vegan community but also encourage others to give veganism a go. We think that even the most carnivorous customers might be pleasantly surprised by Kevin.
Kevin Who?
After spending months creating the pie, it took almost as long to name it and after several office debates and plenty of umming and ahhing, we finally agreed on naming the pie Kevin after Kevin Keegan. Mainly because it’s a nod to the proper East End pie tradition through a bit of Cockney rhyming slang but also because we’ve always loved silly pie names and we thought Heidi was getting a little lonely.
When can we try Kevin?
To coincide with Veganuary, Kevin will be available in all 13 of our restaurants and cafés from 2nd January 2018. You’ll also be able to buy Kevin from selected Waitrose branches and online through Ocado and our online gift shop. We have a few tricks up our sleeve for the launch; so if you haven’t already – be sure to join our V.I.Pie Club. As well as Kevin, we’ve also got our Roots Manoova – a vegan and gluten free skillet of roast root vegetables, quinoa and red wine with a crisp potato top on the menu along with a cracking selection of vegan sides to enjoy it with (don’t say we don’t treat you).
