Flower Power Vegan Fest kicked off the first Wylam Brewery battles of the year, bringing the best of plant-based eats from the North East. From ‘chiqin wings’ to pistachio pizza, here’s a round-up of our favourite standout dishes and key food themes.
Asian Comfort – We opted to start with savoury Asian comfort food- a cuisine set to play an increasingly prominent role in the UK in 2026. The appeal of spicy comfort food is particularly strong among younger consumers, with Asian food now closely associated with warmth, cosiness, and emotional comfort (Mintel). Both dishes delivered authentic flavour profiles, combining warming spice with a cooling mayo, delivering layers of flavour and contrasting textures for the ultimate taste experience!
Chicken Ting- On the Sesh-Wan – Quorn chiqin wings, Balefire Naga Szechuan sauce, vegan chilli oil mayo, sesame seeds, crispy onions, sriracha dust
Ground Kitchen Express – Tofu Bao Bun –Steamed hirata bao with tofu topped with Jeju sauce, garnished with coriander, spring onions, sesame seeds and crispy onions
Flavour Fusion – Fusion is set to accelerate in 2026, driven by diners with genuine culinary curiosity. The next wave of fusion is grounded in respect, cultural understanding and bold flavour combinations that feel both exciting and relevant (The Wholesale Group).
The vendors perfectly captured the blend of Japanese and Italian classics by celebrating the strengths of each cuisine. We tasted all things green, starting with a vibrant pistachio pesto pizza. The toasted nuttiness added crunch against the creamy cheese, while the wood-fired dough brought a gentle smokiness. We finished up with the drink of the moment, matcha, perfectly paired with a slab of tiramisu! In 2026, we will continue to see a growing trend of fluidity within sweet dishes (The Food People).
Weird Dough Pizza – The Pistachio Bluff – BLUFFalo stracciatella. House pistachio pesto, confit garlic, vegan mozzarella, crushed pistachios, fresh basil, shaved parveggio
Green Buzz Matcha Bar – Tiramisu Matcha Vanilla Latte
If you are looking for culinary trends, insights or inspiration based on the above blog, please get in touch: jessica.kane@dalziel.co.uk
