Leading UK retailer Tesco says it’s celebrating the power of plants in its new range of vegan and vegetarian readily-prepared dishes following a partnership with pioneering chef Derek Sarno, co-founder of Wicked Healthy, a healthy plant-based food blog.

The new plant meal range called Wicked Kitchen comes as more consumers reduce their meat intake and are looking for veggie alternatives, inspired by flavors from around the world.

According to the retailer, recent demand for vegetarian and vegan food has soared as a result of lifestyle choices such as Meat Free Mondays and flexitarian diets. In the last year, Tesco has directly seen the effect of those lifestyle choices with demand for chilled vegetarian ready meals and meat substitutes increasing 25 percent.

Prepared exclusively for Tesco, the new range launched yesterday (January 8) in 600 stores up and down the UK.

From crispy carrot "pastrami" to wicked-meated barbecued ‘shrooms and Sourdough Pizza, the vibrant wraps, meals and salads have all the zing, punch and crunch to encourage shoppers to eat more veg.

“When I first arrived in Britain from America I was hugely surprised at how little choice there was for vegans and those considering a lifestyle change,” said Sarno.

“For too long, vegans have been overlooked, with many offerings that are available seemingly created to appease rather than truly please.”

“Wicked Kitchen plans to change all that and I’m proud to work with Tesco and offer all its customers delicious meals to get them on board with this growing foodie revolution.”

The exclusive range – which includes a Carrot Pastrami-Spiced Wrap, a Beetroot tortilla wrap power-packed with crisp, punchy carrot and a vibrant vegetable mix, a Sweet Potato Pakora Wrap, a Smashin Pumpkin Falafel Sandwich, a Rainbow Curry Bowl and a Moroccan-Inspired Bowl – includes 11 ready meals and nine food-to-go options.