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Look Here! A Plant Based Crispy Bacon That's Ready to Eat!

NEW Squeaky Bean Crispy Bacon Style Strips: A sweet and savoury lover's dream breakfast, lunch or dinner

Are you ready for a decadent, sweet and savoury plant based breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner? 

Squeaky Bean, the plant based brand known for its award-winning NYC Deli Pastrami and Smoked Beechwood Salmon Style Slices, is launching the first ready-to-eat plant based bacon into UK supermarkets. It tastes so good, they dare you to compare it with bacon. 

NEW Squeaky Bean Crispy Bacon Style Strips (50g), RRP: £2.75 is available in selected Sainsbury's stores and online from 25th September 2024.

Squeaky Bean's Crispy Bacon Style Strips combine a sweet and salty taste with the satisfying crispy texture of streaky bacon, but made from plants. 

For 50% of vegans and vegetarians who said they miss the taste of bacon, finally there's an answer to their prayers (source: Vypr Aug 24). And it's one that's perfect for adding a satisfying smoky, savoury twist to meals.

English breakfast-lovers can now enjoy plant based crispy bacon that's perfect with beans on toast. Airfry the bacon for butty bliss with brown sauce, or vegan Worcester sauce, or enjoy maple-glazed bacon on pancakes for a sweet and savoury food-lovers dream. Load up on a toasted brioche bun with lettuce, tomato and mayo for the ultimate BLT, toss in a Caesar salad, with avocado, or enjoy on its own as a satisfying protein snack, straight from the packet. 

Lunchboxes at the ready, go on! Dare to compare Squeaky Bean's tasty lunchbox range of ready-to-eat slices and pieces to meaty counterparts?

Squeaky Bean's range of plant based sandwich fillers includes: Deli Pastrami Sandwich Slices, Smoked Beechwood Salmon Style Slices, Applewood Smoked Ham Style Slices and Tuna Style Flakes, as well as Chargrilled Cajun Mini Fillets and Kick of Tikka Chicken Style Pieces. The entire range is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.  Do you dare to compare? 

That's Food and Drink can actually see this new product becoming a firm favourite at Christmas feasts, combining Squeaky Bean's Crispy Bacon Style Strips with your Christmas vegan roasts.

NEW Squeaky Bean Crispy Bacon Style Strips (50g), RRP: £2.75 are available in selected Sainsbury's stores and online from 25th September 2024.

You can learn more here https://www.squeakybean.co.uk

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How to launch your own local food and drink festival

Launching and running your own local food and drink festival can be a rewarding and exciting project, but it requires careful planning and organisation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Define the Concept and Vision

Theme and Purpose: Decide what the festival will celebrate, such as local cuisine, street food, drinks (beer, wine, cocktails), or cultural food traditions.

Target Audience: Who are you trying to attract? Families, foodies, or local residents? Tailor your event to their preferences.

Location: Choose a suitable venue – it could be an open field, park, town centre, or local community hall.

Duration: Will it be a one-day event, weekend, or longer? Consider the logistics of running it over multiple days. Consider running events that are relevant to the time of year. For example a Christmas Food and Drink Festival, Harvest Festival, Valentine's Day, etc.

2. Planning and Permits

Budget: Outline your budget, considering costs for venue, marketing, vendors, security, utilities, and entertainment. Factor in income sources like ticket sales, vendor fees, and sponsorships.

Licences and Permits: Contact local authorities to obtain necessary permits for food sales, alcohol (if applicable), and events in public spaces. This could include a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) if you're in the UK.

Health and Safety: Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. You'll need proper sanitation, waste disposal, and first aid arrangements.

Insurance: Get public liability insurance to cover any accidents or damages during the festival.

3. Vendor Recruitment

Local Food and Drink Businesses: Invite local restaurants, food trucks, farmers, and brewers to set up stalls. This could give them a great platform to showcase their offerings.

Vendor Selection: Curate a diverse range of food and drink offerings. You might want a mix of traditional, experimental, and international cuisines.

Vendor Agreements: Set clear terms with vendors regarding fees, space allocation, and responsibilities (e.g., waste management).

4. Entertainment and Activities

Music and Performances: Hire local bands, DJs, or cultural performers to keep attendees entertained.

Workshops: Offer cooking classes, wine or beer tastings, or food pairing events.

Competitions: Organise food-related competitions like cooking challenges, best dish awards, or eating contests.

5. Marketing and Promotion

Branding: Develop a logo and overall aesthetic for the festival. This can help create buzz and a recognisable identity.

Social Media: Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to engage with the community. Share behind-the-scenes content, vendor profiles, and sneak peeks.

Flyers and Posters: Distribute physical promotional materials in local businesses, cafes, and community centres.

Press Coverage: Reach out to local media for coverage and to feature your festival in event listings.

Early Bird Tickets: Offer early discounts to generate early interest and confirm attendance.

6. Logistics and Operations

Ticketing: Decide if your event will be ticketed or free. If ticketed, ensure an easy process for buying and managing tickets, including online and in-person options.

Event Layout: Plan the flow of foot traffic, location of stalls, eating areas, and entertainment stages. Make sure the space is accessible and easy to navigate.

Security and Staffing: Hire security for crowd control, alcohol regulations, and general safety. Recruit volunteers or staff to help with ticketing, cleaning, and customer service.

Waste Management: Provide plenty of bins and recycling stations. Arrange for cleaning crews before, during, and after the event.

7. Day-of Coordination

Vendor Setup: Ensure vendors arrive and set up on time. Have a festival coordinator who can manage any last-minute issues.

Crowd Control: Have clear signage and pathways for ease of movement, and make sure entry and exit points are well-managed.

Health and Safety: Ensure first aid stations are set up, and have a dedicated health and safety officer present.

Event Timings: Keep to a schedule for entertainment and activities. Announcements should be made at regular intervals to keep people informed.

8. Post-Event Wrap-Up

Clean-Up: Ensure all waste is properly disposed of and that the venue is returned to its original condition.

Vendor Feedback: Collect feedback from vendors and attendees to understand what worked well and what could be improved for future events.

Financial Reconciliation: Tally up expenses and income to see how the event performed financially.

Thank Yous: Send thank-you notes or emails to sponsors, vendors, staff, and volunteers for their support.

9. Future Planning

Document Learnings: Take note of key successes and challenges for future reference.

Build Community Engagement: Keep the momentum going by building a community around the festival with regular updates, social media posts, and planning for next year’s event.

Tips for Success:

Start Small: If it's your first event, start small and build up over time.

Engage the Community: Work with local councils, businesses, and community groups to ensure support and involvement.

Sustainability: Consider making your festival eco-friendly by encouraging reusable items, reducing plastic, and providing recycling options.

With careful planning and a strong community focus, your local food and drink festival can be a fantastic experience for everyone involved!

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