YamChops located at 705 College St in Toronto

April 19, 2018:  Back in mid-April, I had a pleasure of attending my first vegan cookbook launch event!  YamChops is Toronto’s only vegan (plant-based) “butcher” and they were holding a media event for fellow bloggers and foodie friends to visit to sample some bites as well as receive a free copy of the cookbook!  YamChops is located in Little Italy on College Street a few streets east of Ossington.  

Upon arriving, we were welcomed by the hostesses who befitted us with a name tag.  We were given a gift bag that included the aforementioned cookbook and a lot of goodies as well.  Throughout the evening, we were welcome to taste the sample vegan goodies that were set out for us.

YamChops on College Street

Huge spread of vegan “meats”

Vegan juices and desserts

Yam-isms board

Michael’s cookbook and coconut “bacon”

We were welcome to browse the shop as well.  They indeed have lots of vegan selections including “meats”, sauces, dried goods, and other items you would find at a local butcher shop or market.  They also had vegan ice cream too.

So many amazing vegan treats

Hot dishes available for ordering

All plant-based food

Vegan ice cream

Among the samples that night, I tried the Hunan Dumplings, Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus, Mango-Pomegranate Guacamole, Fiesta Potatoes, and Beer-Battered Hearts of Palm Fysh Sticks (click the photos to view full-sized recipes).  I always love how inventive and tasty vegan creations can be.  I especially liked the Beer-Battered Hearts of Palm Fysh Sticks.

Hunan Dumplings

Mango-Pomegranate Guacamole

Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus

Beer-Battered Hearts of Palm Fysh Sticks

Beer-Battered Hearts of Palm Fysh Sticks

Fiesta Potatoes

Kombucha and lemon & lime water

I also asked for a sample of the “Korean BBQ Chick’ N” which tasted very much like chicken indeed but of course made from plants.

There was a generous amount of samples being given out that night and Grace and I definitely were able to go back for seconds after our first plate was done.

Yummy! (Or should I say YAMMY!)

There were standing tables for us to dine at

In between the night, we were able to meet and greet the author of the vegan cookbook, Michael Abramso.  He was very nice and eager to share about his cookbook.  I also got a personalized signed cookbook from him as a result.

YamChops cookbook

Michael Abramso and his personalized message to me in his new vegan cookbook

Before we left, we made sure to leave our personal “yam-ism” on the board.  There were lots of punny jokes that were left behind from other fellow guests.

Do you spot my yam-ism? 😛

Thank you YamChops for inviting me to this launch event and allowing me to try your tasty vegan goodies!

Vegan products from YamChops

As I said, they had gifted each guest with a cookbook and a bag of goodies from their store.  It wasn’t until I got home when I opened the gift bag to see that we were gifted so many great edibles!   They gave us a bottle of Caesar Dressing, Coconut “Bacon”, Mango Tamarind Chutney sauce, Raw Hemp “Parmesan”, and a box of Rocky Road Fudge — all vegan of course!

My favourite was the Rocky Road Fudge.  The dark chocolate chips, Dandies marshmallow (cassava syrup, cane sugar, water, cassava starch, carrageenan, soya protein, natural vanilla flavour), with walnuts, coconut milk, coconut oil, and vanilla concoction was so delicious!

Rocky Road Fudge

I also really liked the raw hemp “parmesan” that I used to sprinkle on my avocado toasts in the morning too. 😀

FTC Disclaimer:  Although YamChops reached out and invited me to the event as a media guest, the opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the company.