Winner of the Street Food category at The YBFs….

The big moment finally came for all the finalists of the first ever YBFs last week. Chloe, Lily and Amy managed to pull together an evening that was fun and excessive and full of joy for all the happy winners. The per head drinks quota made me dizzy when it was reeled off to me, but it was the amount of food that was being carried around – often on great long boards, Cleopatra-like, languishing aloft all the adoring hands – that got everyone so geed up.

I barely had a chance to grab any of it as I arrived late (typically) and forced my way to the front to get up on stage with Claire Kelsey (Ginger’s Comfort Emporium) to announce the winner of the Street Food category. A couple of weeks before, we had stood in the shady bitterness of The Hatch, by The Doodle Bar, eating and talking with JP of Elephant Juice Soup, Andy of The Wild Game Co. and Mark of Street Kitchen. It was a hell of a breakfast and a hell of a tough one. How d you choose between such very different ideas and food types?

We went with The Wild Game Co. because of their kilts…. No, really, it was the way they’d brought their family business to a new audience – injecting some of wild Scotland into some not-so-wild parts of London; even devising a bothy for more ways of taking The Highlands to the East End. We liked it, and we liked their food.

They leapt up on that stage in full tweed and kiltage, undeterred by the soaring, Campari-borne temperatures on that hot ‘n humid night. Not only did they win £1000 and a chopping board but, and here was the real coup, they get one year’s free membership of eat.st to go with it. No more waiting list for them – they’re right in (profile up soon). So hold onto your hats and prepare for some new kids in the Collective – serving pigeon salad, venison steaks and other gameyness that brings you over all growly.

Also on the night – a special mention to The Rib Man – our very own town crier and success story of the streets this last year – who won the Honorary award. He was pretty busy, stuffing baps with ribs after that – I had to step in and give the guy a break. Rubber gloves diving into hot pans of picked rib meat, swirling in hot sauce. Felt good.

And not forgetting other eat.streeters representing for good food in the place that night: Anna Mae’s serving their Hushpuppies, Tongue N Cheek with his Porky Subs, and fingers crossed, soon to be joining us (because this is one of the best things I’ve tried in ages), Urban Ices and their homemade lollies of magical flavours.

Great night. Here’s to next year and the continued hunt for greatness in all those nooks and crannies…

 

The ybfs in this week’s The Grocer

…with quite a bit of me chipping in with my ten cents worth! Nice to see our resident speed-boner, Mark – The Rib Man, getting his in too.

If you think the Awards needs you in it then hurry over to the ybfs website and get applying! Bring every unturned stone on, I say – can’t wait.

Yianni in the Independent

We were so excited to see such a well written piece on the British street food ‘phenomenon’ last week. Not only did it feature burger maestro Yianni and his indominable Meatwagon and the eat.st collective, but gave special mentions to Jamon Jamon, Souper Stew, Luardos, Choc Star, Gujarati Rasoi and Brewed Boy too.

If you missed it here’s the link.

eat.st traders in Delicious Magazine this month.

A few months ago I was visited by the deputy editor of food magazine Delicious. Over some high-energy truffles we fell into a deep and meaningful conversation about street food in Britain and where things are headed. Fast forward to now and a wonderful feature has been written on the subject – and using myself, Simon of Luardos and smiley Urvesh of Gujarati Rasoi as examples of ‘well traveled young entrepreneurs’ in the business.

Go get it for the lowdown! And if you know any great food traders spinning taste and wonder anywhere out there let us know at eat.st.

Fire & Knives

Food fans and fans of food vans – check out my recent article in Issue 2 of new food quarterly Fire & Knives: ‘Hot to Trot – Is Britain’s Street Food Scene Ready for Transition?’

Tim Hayward has pulled together in one beautiful magazine the notion that Britain as a subject for food is full of juice. Different to much food writing which casts its eye to far-flung cuisines, Fire & Knives gazes within our own Isles and finds more than enough to get excited about.

I was asked to write about how Britain’s street food scene carries with it its own particular traditions, limitations and possibilities which, if exploited properly, could lead to an important next chapter in the progression of our national food culture.

The magazine is available HERE.

eat.st in the news!

Just back from an incredible trip to India where I really got down to chowing on some fine roadside fayre. More on this soon…In the mean time take a look at this Guardian vid I shot with food writer and blogger, Simon Majumdar – eat.st‘s first mention (as well as my first taste of jellied eels. Did I disguise my distaste sufficiently?!)