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In 2015, Rebecca McGuinness began one very important mission: recreating the taste and texture of fast-food fried chicken, without the chicken. In less than a year, she was touring festivals and street food markets with her homemade seitan concoction. By 2017, she had opened the UK’s very first vegan fried chicken shop: Temple of Seitan.
Since then, the chain has gone from strength to strength. It now has four London locations (in Camden, Hackney, Brixton, and Kings Cross). Each serves up Temple Burgers (featuring vegan bacon and McGuinness’ signature chicken-free fillet), Temple Wings, Biscoff Shakes, and more.
In fact, Temple of Seitan is so popular, it has even been nominated for UberEats’ Restaurant of the Year. It’s the only vegan eatery up for the award in the London category.
Several independent restaurants from across the UK have been shortlisted for the title. The finalists will be revealed on June 16. They will then attend a judging day, where Prue Leith (of The Great British Bake Off) and vegan chef Rachel Ama will decide the final winner.
According to Leith, the shortlisted restaurants are “the future of the industry.”
She said in a statement: “I’m looking forward to discovering pioneers across the UK and Ireland. And, of course, to eating some amazing food.”
Temple of Seitan takes over the UK
Temple of Seitan’s vegan chicken isn’t only available in London. It’s also on the menu in BrewDog and Smashing Plates locations. And, soon, the brand will be expanding its UK and international distribution capacity thanks to a new factory partnership in the Midlands.
“The demand for our vegan chicken and doner products has grown exponentially over the past few years, meaning it is time for us to take things to the next level,” said McGuinness in a statement.
She added: “I want anyone in the UK who chooses to eat vegan food to have the best options available to them.”
To vote for Temple of Seitan in the UberEats awards, see here.
