Category: News & Events

Meet NCVA Vegan Cupcake Challenge judge, Ian Capstick

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Veg Fest and The NCVA Vegan Cupcake Challenge is less than two weeks away! Ottawa’s best amateur vegan bakers are no doubt immersed in a frenzy of last-minute baking and testing as they vie for the title of the NCVA Vegan Cupcake Champion and the fabulous prize package that accompanies the prestigious title.

As of now, there are 18 entrants to the competition, so it’s going to be fierce! And delicious.

Today in the last part of the “Meet Our Judges” series we introduce Ian Capstick.

Ian Capstick, principal of MediaStyle, an Ottawa-based communications firm, has been saying ‘thanks’ with cupcakes since he opened up shop.

His enthusiasm for baking has manifested in the sponsorship of an unconference about cupcakes known as Capital Cupcake Camp. With hundreds of entries, t’s definitely the largest cupcake event in Ottawa. Which means Ian Capstick knows cupcakes.

While MediaStyle is not a cupcakery, Ian believes that cupcakes are meant for sharing, much like the communications work MediaStyle does online.

Mayor Jim Watson to proclaim May 1 Veg Fest Day in Ottawa

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The NCVA is thrilled to sthare with everyone that Mayor Jim Watson is proclaiming May 1 Veg Fest Day in Ottawa.

It even came in a fancy blue folder!

“This is a solid statement on how far not only the NCVA and Veg Fest have come, but also the growing acceptance of veganism amongst a more mainstream audience,” says NCVA President Josh Flower. “The NCVA is committed to promoting veganism to the widest audience possible, and offering our support to anyone who wants it.  We are delighted to be on the leading edge of this evolution locally, and to have our efforts recognized by the Mayor of Ottawa.”

Seriously though– how cool is this!?

And of course, there’s no better place to celebrate “Veg Fest Day in Ottawa” on May 1 than at the event itself, the third annual celebration of veg food and lifestyles in the region put on by the National Capital Vegetarian Association (NCVA) and sponsored by The Table Vegetarian Restaurant.

“Veg Fest is a fun event for anyone wanting to learn more about healthy and conscious eating, and plant-based lifestyles. I visited the event in 2010 and I was impressed by its professionalism, dynamism, and of course the delicious food!” Mayor Watson says. “My great experience at Veg Fest ’10 prompted me to want to share this event with all of Ottawa, which I’m doing by proclaiming May 1 Veg Fest Day in Ottawa.”

As most blog followers already know, Veg Fest will be held at the Glebe Community Centre (175 Third Avenue), Sunday May 1 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free. It features a variety of exhibitors, guest speakers, cooking demonstrations, a silent auction, and the inaugural NCVA Vegan Cupcake Challenge for which a panel of local celebrity judges will crown best amateur vegan cupcake baker in Ottawa.

President Flower discovered the NCVA when he attended the first Veg Fest in 2009, and is thrilled to be presiding over his first Veg Fest as President. “Veg Fest is a fantastic and positive opportunity to learn more about plant-based diets and the multitude of businesses and resources available in Ottawa to support this lifestyle,” he says. “It’s also family-friendly. Kids and adults alike will enjoy interacting with our friendly mascots including the pea in a pod and the carrot. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the friendly rivalry between Pea in a Pod and Auntie Loo is reignited at the event.”

Meet NCVA Cupcake Challenge judge, Ron Eade

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For Part 3 of our 5 part Meet the Judges series we get to know the Ottawa Citizen’s own Ron Eade.

Ron Eade has been the food editor at the Ottawa Citizen, the capital region’s largest newspaper, since 1998. He is also the authour of Omnivore’s Ottawa, a blog encompassing all things food in the Ottawa region.

While Ron is far from vegetarian, he does have an appreciation for good food in whatever form, and has attended Veg Fest as a patron in both 2009 and 2010. In 2011 he joins the NCVA as a guest judge for the NCVA Cupcake Challenge.

At home he regularly experiments in the kitchen and tests new dishes on his wife, Nancy, and young son, Graeme. Most of those dishes are not vegetarian.

On May 1, Ron will be found eating far too many cupcakes for one person, along with the other NCVA Cupcake Challenge judges. Already announced: CBC’s Stu Mills, and the incomparable Auntie Loo. More to come!

Daiya spottings in Ottawa

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Last June just after Veg Fest, Daiya started trickling into Ottawa stores, much to the immense excitement of vegans across the city and beyond.

For the uninitiated, Daiya is the first vegan “cheese” that’s actually really good.

Daiya spotted at Baseline/Merivale Loblaws.

OK, that may be a bit subjective. But only a bit.  It melts, and it substitutes perfectly for mozzarella and cheddar shreds in a wide variety of culinary applications. And, did I mention that it tastes good?

Locally, restaurants like Trella, the Arrow and Loon, Credible Edibles, Cafe My House and Green Earth have made it a part of their menu.

Daiya products do not contain many common allergens including soy, dairy (casein or lactose) gluten, egg, peanuts, and tree nuts (excluding coconut).

At my house, we buy cheddar Daiya by the five pound bag at Rainbow  Foods. It’s imply the most cost effective way for a family of four to get its fix.  But most normal people buy Daiya in little half pound bags that could be purchased only at select health food stores.

That is, until now. Today I spotted Daiya at Loblaws on Baseline and Merivale. My Facebook post to that effect garnered an enthusiastic response, with other Daiya sightings shared as the excitement grew. It’s not just that Daiya is more easily available for vegans and vegetarians who want it, it’s the sheer excitement that a cherished vegan substitute is being prominently displayed in front of a mainstream, non-vegan audience. How many people will see it and give it a try, who otherwise wouldn’t because they’d never seen it?

So in addition to the usual suspects (Rainbow Foods, Market Organics, Natural Food Pantry), and Loblaws Baseline/Merivale, Daiya has also been spotted at Superstore and Independent stores in Orleans.

Please share in the comments if you’ve spotted Daiya somewhere else in Ottawa!

NCVA volunteer Deb Gleason put it best: “This makes me so happy. Daiya has gone mainstream. LOVE IT.”

NCVA at the Pump

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I’m still experiencing the afterglow of a successful and widely enjoyable pub night. We had a healthy turnout at The Lieutenant’s Pump on Thursday, March 24, where veg*ns congregated, socialized, and wound down after another busy work week (read: Fridays don’t count). There were faces, both new and old, and beers on the table, proving that indeed, vegetarians can drink beer — veg-friendly beer, that is. The separate vegetarian menu had never seen such collective scrutiny before, as it was the most highly sought after piece of literature that evening. The lentil stew was ordered multiple times, as if it already had an important and trustworthy legacy with the NCVA patrons. Evidently, it did not disappoint.

While the NCVA will not be hosting a pub night in April, we hope you are patient enough to wait till May to continue with the tradition of sharing a pint or two with some like-minded friends.

Meet NCVA Cupcake Challenge judge, Stu Mills of CBC Radio

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In part 2 of our Meet Our Judges series we introduce CBC Radio’s own Stu Mills.

Stu Mills grew up in Haliburton Ontario.  At Simon Fraser University  he studied Communication and Philosophy.

He continued with his studies in those areas at Queen’s University. During this time he fell in love with radio’s ability to focus the mind on spoken ideas while working at CFRC 101.9 FM, the Queen’s University radio station.

He’s been reading the news at CBC Ottawa since 2005, was the Friday host for Ottawa Morning for much of last year, regularly fills in for Rita Celli on Ontario Today, and for Alan Neal on All in a Day  on CBC Radio One (91.5 FM).

Stu has a passion for the outdoors, especially mountain biking, and in all mechanical things.  He lives in Wakefield, Quebec.

NCVA at the Go Green Expo

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NCVA volunteers Michelle and Pamela get a taste of Pea in a Pod.

It took close to 20 volunteers and nearly 1,000 vegan cookies, but the NCVA recently participated in the Go Green Expo at Lansdowne Park with some pretty fabulous results.

Aside from Veg Fest, the Go Green Expo was one of the biggest outreach events that the NCVA has ever participated in.  It was a two day event, and it attracted thousands of visitors.  During most parts of the event, the NCVA table had at least several visitors at any given time.  And, Ottawa was introduced to the NCVA’s friendly helper, Pea in a Pod.

NCVA volunteer Madeleine.

We sold quite a few of our “Eat like you give a damn” t-shirts, and added a number of new members.  But the best part was having the opportunity to tak to dozens, if not hundreds of people about the NCVA and living the veg lifestyle in Ottawa.  Our volunteers came away totally enthused.

“WOOHOO! It was fun!” wrote one of the NCVA’s newest volunteers, Madeleine.

“Had so much fun and met such great people at Go Green today! Everyone loves vegan cookies!” wrote Julia on Facebook.

“Had a great time with the NCVA at the Go Green Expo- and met some nice new volunteers,” opined President Josh.

NCVA dynamo Erin giving her demo at the Go Green Expo.

NCVA volunteers Erin and Deb also put on fabulous afternoon food demos, a lovely and cruelty-free contrast to the meat and dairy demos given in the morning. On Saturday Deb Gleason demoed Veganize Your Brunch: Learn How to Prepare French Toast, Omelets & Tofu Chocolate Cheesecake and on Sunday Erin O’Sullivan was going to demo A Vegan Dinner: Spicy Peanut Soup, Curried Vegetable Pie & Orange Sweet Potato Cake With Raspberry Sauce, but ultimately modified to better fit the half hour time frame.

NCVA volunteers also handed out lots of 1/4 page leaflets encouraging people to come to Veg Fest on May 1.

NCVA Cupcake Challenge – Meet Our Judges – Part 1 – Auntie Loo

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Hey everyone,

We’ve had such an AMAZING response to the Cupcake Challenge and we’re really looking forward to seeing and of course TASTING all your creations!

For those of you that haven’t signed up for a chance to have your cupcake named Ottawa’s best vegan cupcake, please click here

We kick off the Meet Our Judges series with none other than Ottawa’s own queen of vegan cupcakes….Auntie Loo!

Auntie Loo’s is a small vegan bakery here in Ottawa. Ms. Loo learned to cook at the knees of her family members, and the majority of what she produces are these very recipes- veganized! Auntie Loo firmly believes that if you want a dessert, it had better taste like one. Auntie Loo’s uses organic products whenever possible, and works with and purchases from small local businesses.

Most people want to know the story, so here it is: Put up to having a vegan treat table at the 2004 Ladyfest Ottawa Craft Sale by her sweet-toothed roommates, Ms. Loo had never even considered baking as a career. Overwhelmed by the response, Auntie Loo’s was born.

Nowadays, Auntie Loo’s Treats can be found in several locations around Ottawa, including her storefront at 507 Bronson Avenue.