It’s nearly time to celebrate St. Valentines Day, named after the priest who married young lovers who were not permitted to marry under the law in the 3rd century. As a religious studies scholar by day, I am fascinated by not only how many things have changed over the course of the past 18 centuries, but even more so, how many have stayed the same.
Injustice still rings out. tenderness is squashed. We struggle to choose the most compassionate options in an increasingly uncertain world. For me, choosing veganism is part of what this season of love is about. St. Valentines Day should be about praising love and compassion–even when the law (or our culture) normalizes oppression and tries to curb our ability to do so. But passionate speech aside...
I’ve developed a short list of compassionate activities you can participate in this Valentine’s Day, celebrating delicious Orlando vegan food (with an emphasis on businesses that support women and BIPOC)! This is an evolving list--I will add new options as people alert them to me!
Continue reading to learn more:
1. Order a Heart-Shaped Cake from Golden Moon
What is Valentine’s Day without something sweet? This year Golden Moon Bakery is offering heart-shaped cakes in two sizes (4 inches and 6 inches wide) and three flavors (vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet). Each cake is expertly piped with rosy vanilla buttercream. Fillings can be added in the flavors of chocolate ganache, fresh strawberry, and cream cheese. Golden Moon Kitchen is an all-vegan, woman-owned bakery specializing in custom cake deliveries in the Orlando Area.
Order at goldenmoonkitchen.com.
2. Participate in the Very Vegan Valentine’s Day Dinner at InfusionTea
Every year, vegetarian woman-owned cafe InfusionTea hosts a special Valentine’s Day-themed meal to celebrate the season of love and offer the community a multi-course plant-based meals. This year’s
Very Vegan Valentine’s Day Dinner is a four-course festive feast featuring: chilled strawberry soup, pomegranate paradise salad, heart of palm “crab” cakes with avocado remoulade and grilled asparagus, and rosewater fruit tart. You’ll have the choice between their fan-favorite Organic Hibiscus Berry iced tea or wine pairings for each course! To sweeten the deal, each guest gets to go home with a beautiful mini-bouquet from Pick Me Up Flower Truck! What more is there to love?
Seatings are on February 14th at 5:30pm and 8pm, with a take-out option at 6:30. Reserve by visiting www.infusionorlando.com.
3. Attend Vegantine's Bash by Orlando Bearded Vegan
Get your foodie on with Orlando Bearded Vegan’s Vegantine’s Bash: a vegan market with over 20 local vendors, including food, drinks, crafts, and art. The market will have popping music, and for those looking for love–Vegantine will even sport a vegan speed dating session! Jeremy Santos, the Orlando Bearded Vegan himself, aims to connect the community to everything plant-based, making it an accessible lifestyle to all through his various markets and community social events.
Vegantine's Bash will take place on February 11th, 2023 from 12pm-5pm, hosted at Persmisson Hollow Brewing 217 Eola Drive Orlando, FL.
4. Order Red Velvet Creme Brulee Donuts from Donutste
Lake Mary Farmer Market-darling, Donutste Doughnuts, has a special Red Velvet Creme Brulee doughnut making its debut for this Valentine's Day season! This bright red, fluffy donut is filled with sweet, rich vanilla cream and topped with a crunchy, torched creme brulee shell that cracks as you bite in. You can't find something like this anywhere else!
Donutste has a pop-up at the Lake Mary Farmer's Market every Saturday morning. Get there early, they sell out fast!
5. Splurge with Tickets to Che Che’s Pre-Valentine Vegan Weekend Dinner
Cult-favorite Che Che’s Vegan Eatery is a nomadic culinary experience inspired by soul food and Jamaican American cuisine. Chef Tee regularly does pop-ups at events or hosts their own, including this indoor Pre-Valentine Weekend Dinner hosted in The Veranda @ Thornton Park. Enjoy three courses of the finest vegan fare enveloped in lovely music and surrounded by beautiful flowers. Your evening will begin with a crunchy Tomato Bruschetta with flavorful Arugula Pesto and Spicy Cheeze, and rich Mushrooms with Chorizo & Spinach. Then, prepare yourself for a refreshing Carrot, Orange & Avocado Salad. To complete your meal, indulge in Strawberry Shortcakes with Coconut Whipped Cream.
Register at Che Che’s website.
The event takes place on February 11th, 2023 at 7pm.
6. Scratch Your Sugar Itch with Heartship Baking Co.
Heartship Baking Co. specializes in wholesome vegan, gluten-free & allergy-friendly baked goods crafted with the best ingredients, by hand with dedication & love. They are probably most famous for their vegan heart-shaped "pophearts" (like a poptart, but cooler). Pre-order Linzer Hearts, Mini Cupcakes, Donuts, and more from Heartship Baking Co. this Valentine's Day.
Pre-orders can be made through their website. Pickup dates are 2/11 and 2/12.
7. Enjoy a Chocolate Cherry Cookie at Ethos Vegan Kitchen
Ethos Vegan Kitchen--the pioneer of Orlando vegan cuisine--does not have a full multi-course special for Valentine's Day but they do have a limited edition cookie that is worth checking out. This Chocolate Cherry Chewy cookie is made with a soft dark chocolate cookie base full of chocolate chips and sweet, tart cherries!
Please comment to alert me to additional vegan opportunities in the community leading up to Valentine's Day 2023! I will add them to the list :)
8. Pick up Vegan Truffles, Tres Leches, and More with Tume!
Orlando-based Latin kitchen, Tume, is whipping up an all vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, refined-sugar free, and organic assessment of Valentine's Day themed goods! Pre-order baklava bars, raspberry mousse brownie bites, or their four-part truffle pack for a good-for-you, good-for-the planet treat for this special day. Learn more about Tume's commitment to Mother Earth (Pachamama) on their website.
Pre-Orders will open 2/1.
Pick-up will be on Monday night 2/13.
9. Go Raw with Sweet Taste of Nature
Order a custom raw vegan treat from Sweet Taste of Nature, whose intricate desserts can be ordered via DM on their Instagram account. From nut free mousse's and to chocolate walnut browny crusts--Sweet Taste of Nature has taken Orlando raw vegan cuisine to another level!
Pre-Orders end February 7th.
10. Rejuvenate with Oatmeal Bowls from Create Your Nature
Winter-Park based acai bar Create Your Nature is unveiling a Valentine's Day-special oatmeal and acai bowl, beginning Feb 1st! Their oatmeal bowl will come with steel cut oats (blended with water only), topped with pecans, strawberries, homemade strawberry Champagne preserves, gluten-free and vegan yogurt, and cacao nibs. They will also be unavailing their Luv a Bowl (acai) that will be topped with strawberry champagne preserves and cacao nibs!
11. Improve Your Cooking Skills with DaJen Eats's Vegan Pre-Valentine's Cooking Class
Chef Jen, owner of the vegan Caribbean eatery in Eatonville DaJen Eats, is hosting a vegan Pre-Calentines day cooking class! Impress your loved ones with a fun breakfast for dinner menu. Learn how to make a lovingly massaged salad, strawberry Cheesecake Crepes with signature sauces you'll want to pour all over your lives, and a passion fruit Mimosa! Talk about yum!
The Pre-Valentines Cooking Class will take place February 13th at 6:30pm. Tickets are not live as of writing this (Jan 24), but I'm sure they will be soon at dajeneats.com.
12. Enjoy a Multi-Course Meal with Winter Park Collective's Night of Love
Love is in the air at @winterparkcollective this Valentine’s! Join them for an amazing private experience with live music, a lover’s craft, fantastic food, dessert, and drinks! Each reservation also includes 2 glasses of champagne!
3 time slots available to reserve:
6-7pm
7:30-8:30pm
9-10pm
They have Limited Seating for this event. Reserve through the link in their bio.
13. Chow Down at Hungry Pants
Hungry Pants is offering a reservation-only veg-friendly Love Birds Menu offering for Valentine's Day, only available February 14th. Reservations can be made at their Eventbrite.
This is an evolving list--I will add new options as people alert them to me! Either comment or email me at thesanfordvegan@gmail.com!
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