Sweet Release

Check out this adorable custom cake the team whipped up to celebrate a 30-year project! 🎂✨

Head to our website to browse our cakes, or reach out on the contact page or via DM for custom creations!

Kia ora, everyone! 🌱

Happy World Vegan Day! I'm Sarah, and I'm here to keep Sweet Release's socials buzzing while Kris is away.

To celebrate World Vegan Day, we've got a few tasty deals just for you (and to help your friends dip their toes into vegan eats)! For *today only*, dive into our loaded BBQ "not ribs" fries for just $10, and grab any coffee for $4! ☕️ And, because one day isn't enough, we're keeping the love going all week long—use the code **worldvegan2024** on our website for 10% off everything!

Shout out to all the incredible vegan cafes and restaurants that make compassionate, delicious food accessible to everyone. Today, let’s celebrate the impact we’re making by choosing vegan for the planet, the animals, and our health. Here’s to a kinder world, one meal at a time!

**Trigger Warning: Pregnancy Loss**
Hey everyone,

I want to share something deeply personal. Many of you have been with us on this journey—six years of trying, waiting, and finally, through IVF, we got pregnant. Celebrating that with so many of you meant the world. I’ve shared every little update, each hug, and all the hope when I saw you at the shop. I even held off on projects like reviving Vegan Vault and our Nationwide Not a Butcher subscription, thinking *maybe this would be the year* we’d welcome our little one.

But at 18 weeks, we lost our baby boy. His PGT-A test was perfect, he was an AA-graded embryo, and the NIPT test came back perfect. Even my thyroid was the best it’s been since radiation. Still, he had a 1 in 50,000 skeletal disorder that neither my husband nor I carry. I’m still processing it all. The morning we found out, I managed to get through the motions at the shop, but it’s been incredibly heavy, and it’s going to take time. We’re planning a private ceremony for our little one, and I’ll return when I’m ready. For now, I just ask that you hold off on asking about the baby if you see me—it’s a fresh wound I’m learning to live with.

Running the shop for 10 years has been filled with highs and lows. Recently, we’ve had both record low and record high sales days. We had the highest high when we found out we were pregnant, and the lowest low when we learned there was a 0% survival rate for our baby. I feel like I’ve lost a bit of my creativity, my energy, and my usual spark. I’m deeply grateful to my amazing team for keeping the shop going and supporting me through this.

As you go about your day, please remember that everyone has their struggles. Hospitality can be tough, and behind the smiles, there’s often a lot going on. Thank you for being part of our journey, for your understanding, and for all the love you’ve shown. We’re truly lucky to have this community—you all mean so much.

Much love,
Kris

It’s the long weekend! 🥳

We’re open Saturday and Sunday but closed on Monday, so make the most of it while you can. Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing break!

If you're in need of a meal, stop by for a free one that's been generously prepurchased by others. We're here as the middleman, connecting those who can support those who need it.

Thanks for the photo and shoutout during your visit. ❤️

There are gf choc cupcakes, vegan choc cupcakes, and cookies & cream cupcakes available in the cabinet! Enjoy the sunshine, everyone 🥰

Our nachos are back and have been a huge hit on the Spring menu! 🌱 7 years ago, we used to offer the "Nacho Grande" – a massive platter of nachos perfect for 4-6 people. Should we bring it back for one day a week? 😬 Let us know your thoughts!

We've brought back a classic holiday favorite – Custard Milk Buns! Soft, sweet, and filled with creamy custard goodness. Don’t miss out on this nostalgic treat!

🌱✨ We took Mac 'n' Cheese off the menu for spring (like we always do), and even shared the recipe with you all! But... some of your kiddos have been throwing shade, saying it's just not the same at home! 😂 Honestly, we think it's the cafe vibes that make the difference, not your cooking.

Due to *popular* demand, we're bringing it back for the school holidays! 🎉 Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you can grab your favorite Mac 'n' Cheese in-store, for a limited time only.

Available now, come get it while it’s hot! 🔥🍽️

Happy World Vegetarian Month, everyone! 🥳😇

We’re bringing the sunshine to our treat cabinet with a zesty new addition – lemon iced shortbread cookies! 🍋🌼 They’re free of dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten, so everyone can enjoy a little slice of spring! 😍✨

It's school holidays, and we've made it even more fun for the little ones at our café! We’ve introduced a new kids' vegan menu with delicious options like hashbrowns with avocado, fruit salad, and more. Plus, we’ve added some exciting activities on the menu page to keep them entertained while you enjoy your meal.

If you're finding it tough to give your kids a great school holiday experience, we’ve got "Pay It Forward" meals available. Treat the kids to something special, and they'll have a fun story to share for show and tell when they get back to school.

We’ve got high chairs for your little ones and a changing table in our bathrooms to make your visit even more comfortable. Bring the family and enjoy a stress-free outing!

Here's another lunchbox combo you can grab for just $15! Or, if you're in need, feel free to use one of our Pay It Forward vouchers. It includes a wrap, fresh fruit, our new lemon shortbread cookie, and a Lemmy can. 💚 Happy Daylight Savings!

Thanks for capturing this amazing photo of our wrap! 😍

Come on over this weekend to enjoy some delicious food. To those going to the game today, have fun! Go All Blacks! 🖤🏉

We've seen some warmer days lately, and we're hoping for more so you can enjoy our food on a perfect picnic day with the family (and the family dog 🐾)! A big thank you to Andrew for visiting us and sharing this beautiful moment of your family enjoying our food in the park! 🌞🍴

When I was a kid, people used to tell me that nachos weren’t healthy. But now that we’ve created our own version, it’s like I’m tricking my brain into thinking I’m eating healthy—and I kind of am! Our nachos have a black bean and tomato base, with corn and avocado on top. I’m getting so many veggies in! 🥑🌽

Shoutout to Kim for this photo of her visit 💕

Yesterday at the Sunday market, these beautiful red things were glistening in the sun (Yes, that brief window of sunshine we had 😂). I'd never heard of Piqa Boo Pears before, but aren't they stunning? 😍

I picked up a few to add to the Lunchbox meals, and as it gets warmer, I can't wait to keep discovering more fun fruits to share with you! Oh, and don't forget—we'll also have our housemade falafel in today's wrap for the lunchboxes!

🚨 **Triple Chocolate Cake Alert!** 🚨

If you need a last-minute cake, our rich and indulgent whole Triple Chocolate Cake is always available in the cabinet every day! 🍫

Need one for a special occasion? We’ve got you! Just hop on our website and pre-order with 2 days’ notice—it’s that easy. Perfect for birthdays, parties, or when you just need that extra chocolate fix. 😋