New Chiswick street food market Sunday 22 October – what to expect

Winners of the British Street Food Awards bring an explosion of international flavours to the first Chiswick street food market

Guest blog by Richard Johnson

We’re BEYOND excited to launch Food St – our new street food market – in West London this Autumn. We’ll be taking over the car park outside the George IV – the site of Chiswick’s first outdoor market, set up by soldiers returning from WW1 – on the fourth Sunday of every month. And we’ll be hoping to entice visitors down to experience all of Chiswick’s independent shops, cafes and restaurants.

We run the biggest street food competition in the world. Currently in 16 countries across Europe – and we’re launching in the US in November. So it makes sense that the opening of Food St will be peppered with British Street Food Awards finalists such as Avila, the Venezuelan street food traders from London who refuse to specialise in arepas. Yesterday’s news. For them it’s all about the patacon – a green plantain sandwich made from smashed and twice-fried green plantain.

You’ll meet Nick, the Potje Man, and his EXTRAORDINARY Cape Malay flavours. Nick’s signature dish is his 12-hour Welsh lamb. “I use a dry rub of toasted mustard seeds, peri peri, oregano, rosemary and black pepper. Then I slow roast it for 12 hours with garlic, onions, white wine and chicken stock.” It’s served with his famous Cape Malay curry sauce, on a bed of yellow rice with added peri peri, cashew nut cream, toasted almonds and coriander. “Super tasty.” Though he says so himself.

Image above: Amani Kitchen

We’re also bringing street food royalty. Amani Kitchen – the winner of the People’s Choice at the 2023 British Street Food Awards – will be there. Cooking has been Amani’s passion for as long as she can remember.

“As a child my happy place was the big table in my grandparents’ house in Iraq – full of delicious, hearty and aromatic food made by my grandmother.”

Hunt out her Kuba. But also get to know her plant-based menu – whether it’s her authentic Arabic falafel, spinach fatayer with pomegranate seeds or biscuits filled with dates.

Images above: Marzena and Nigel from Ma Ma Boutique Bakery

The Chiswick representation will be high. Marzena and Nigel will be there – they run Chiswick’s dedicated gluten-free Ma Ma Boutique Bakery. It’s a bit special.

“We blend tradition with innovation, creating new, feel-good classics” says Marzena. “We believe that bread should be made the old-fashioned way, using only natural ingredients from the finest sources and long fermentation methods without compromising on taste or texture.”

The bakery is at the Hammersmith end of the High Road, and the couple are ready to show off their handmade breads, pastries, cakes and sandwiches to the rest of Chiswick.

Images above: Food from Ma Ma Boutique Bakery 

Mick from The Japanese Knife Company is excited. He wants to talk knife technique from the small Food St presentation stage. So does Jo Pratt, who’ll be talking about her new book (and maybe teaching us a recipe) in November or December.

The Whistling Oyster want a pitch – subject to getting approval for a temporary alcohol license. The Chiswick fish mongers are independently owned, and want to push their seafood trike down to Food St. Maybe serve up some oysters washed down with an ice-cold beer – or glass of champagne?

Image above: Maria and Mario at Mari Deli on Chiswick Mall; photograph Frank Noon

We’ve been BEGGING Mari Deli and Dining to come and trade with us. We knew the authentic Italian deli and restaurant, situated on the corner of Eyot Gardens – a picturesque and peaceful residential road in Chiswick Mall – would be a PERFECT addition. Well…..they’ve only gone and said YES!

For the past six years, the independent, family-run business has served the riverside neighbourhood impeccably. With Marina, the famous Fiat 500 Giardinetta – open trunk stuffed with colourful fruit and vegetables – parked up outside.

Over the years, Marina has become a local celebrity. She even graced the BBC News on Coronation Day – a testament to the captivating allure she possesses. We’re not sure she’s roadworthy enough to join us with Mari Deli on Chiswick High Road on October 22 – but stay tuned on our @FoodStMarket Instagram channel….

Photograph of the day by Bridget Osborne

Image above: The famous Marina

Richard Johnson is the organiser of Food St

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