An article I wrote while on work experience at the Essex Chronicle. It appeared in the following week’s edition and the Harlow Star too.
A Harlow fish and chip shop have launched an “amazing” vegan night.
Luigi’s Fish & Chips, on The Stow, began serving vegan fish and chips last Thursday, January 10 and say it is thanks to a determined vegan.
The owner of Luigi’s, Tony Forgione, 44, said Pam Walker guided them in the right direction and “without her help it would have been very difficult.”
He added: “She was our guinea pig, so I’d like to thank her.”
Pam, 53, has been for vegan for 2 years and said: “I told the manager, John: ‘the way forward is do vegan fish and chips, it’s massive’ and jokingly said ‘this time next year you’ll be a millionaire’.
“I was persistent with it, I’d send him photos of vegan food in supermarkets.
“I think it shows you can make a change and a difference.”
Unlike vegetarianism which only cuts out meat and fish, veganism is a lifestyle that does not involve any animal produce such as meat, dairy and wool.
Pam and the shop’s manager, John, worked on the recipe with a trial and error process.
The final result was banana blossom marinated for 48 hours in seaweed, lemons, oils and paprika, then coated in a gluten free beer batter.
Luigi’s was first opened in 1989 and is co-owned by the
Forgione brothers: Lib, Luigi and Tony.
Tony described Thursday’s launch as having “a party atmosphere” and said: “I was very surprised how many people took it up and also the good feedback we had.
“It was amazing.”
“People were saying it was the best thing they’d eaten in 8 years.
“I’ve had it and it’s even made me think maybe this is the way forward.”
Tony added that the vegan option will be trialled in two of their other shops.
Pam explained why she went vegan, saying: “I was travelling on the London underground and as I looked up at the advertising there was “Veganuary”.
“Major people are vegan like David Attenborough, Jay Z and Beyonce and Lewis Hamilton.
“I have a passion now, there’s no way I’d go back and it’s a lot easier now, because it’s everywhere.”
Veganuary is a charity which inspires people to try veganism for January.
Since 2014, 250,000 people in 193 countries have taken part.
Pam said: “Veganuary is a great time to do it because a lot of the chains are getting on board with it.
“Now most pizza places like Pizza Hut and Zizi’s all do vegan cheese.
“It’s never been easier to try it, it’s in every supermarket and restaurant and now it’s in the local fish and chip shop.”
Dominika Piasecka, a spokesperson for the Vegan Society, said: “We’re delighted to learn that Luigi’s Fish and Chips sell vegan fish and chips”
“Vegan fish is cruelty-free and lower in saturated fat, as well as being an environmentally-friendly choice.
“The number of vegans in Britain has quadrupled over the last four years and it’s great to see that the people of Harlow have a chance to find out what all this excitement with vegan food is about.”
Aaron Mayhew - Journalist 