All the fun of the {food} fair
Old Spitalfields Market (OSM) is hosting a week-long celebration of all things culinary this week. A food fair always brings out the gourmet in me and knowing that I have a whole week to head to the city and enjoy the best food the capital has to offer has me pulling out my cookbooks and looking for fantastic new recipes that require unusual and high quality ingredients.
The OSM Flavours Food Week not only celebrates the plethora of international foods available in Spitalfields but is also the launch of their new Flavours food court – with all manner of fare from the international through to the smaller artisan producer.
“Provenance plays a big part in how people shop for their ingredients,” Malcolm Ball, chief executive of Wellington Market Company, the organisation responsible for the world-renowned OSM says. “No longer will merely telling a customer that a cheese is a particular type, or which country a dry-cured ham is from, they want to know the region, the producer, what farm, which chicken, what day of the week… and this is something our producers excel in.
[callout title=Malcolm Ball, Old Spitalfields Market]“Flavours will be concentrating on promoting affordable, best-in-class produce for all, not just a select few.”[/callout]One of the unique features of the new food hall is the demonstration kitchen, dedicated to showcasing the best in local, regional and international food and drink, which will be put to good work this week.
Renowned chefs from restaurants including Le Bouchon Breton, Wagamama, The Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Café Caribbean, and Androuet will be cooking their signature dishes for visitors on Wednesday 21st and Friday 23rd July.
“We will be offering visitors an insight into traditional French cuisine during our demonstrations,” said Yoann Truwant, from Le Bouchon Breton. “Firstly, we will be showing the public how to make three different types of Tartare, using seafood, fish and beef. I shall also be introducing elements of my oyster classes that will help introduce people to these fabulous shellfish. We’ll talk about different varieties, how to open them, preparation, cooking and what wines are best to accompany them.”
Wagamama will also be revealing it’s culinary secrets. “The team and I are delighted to bring to life some classic Wagamama dishes at the Old Spitalfields Market celebration of food week,” Steve Mangleshot, group executive chef with Wagamama added. “Classics such as the Yaki Soba and Cha Han will be showcased along with tasters which we guarantee will be crowd pleasers.”
There will also be free tasting samples available and many of OSM’s bars and restaurants will have special week-long offers for city workers and visitors.
Old Spitalfields Market is a short walk from Liverpool Street Station and Aldgate East Tube – visit www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com for further information.
