This weekend I was part of the magical and infamous Underground Farmers Market at Ms. Marmitelover’s fabulous Kilburn home.
I had been looking forward to this event for so long and finally the moment arrived for me to introduce London foodies to Suriname’s cuisine.
The UFM was a wonderful foodfest with probably some of the best streetfood London has to offer, delicious cakes and cupcakes, an oysterbar, Paul.A.Young selling his delicious chocolate, booze, music, bonfires and even fireworks! And best of all: I was a part of it!
The response from customers about my food was overwhelming. It’s really the best thing ever to hear from people that they like your food! Hearing from Ms. Marmitelover, Kerstin Rodgers, that she LOVED my vegetable curry almost made me cry! For a girl who lived on takeout whilst studying until she was 22, that is a huge compliment!
I adore Kerstin, she is such an inspiration and I loved her book. And for her to tell me that she thought my food was gorgeous was simply breathtaking. I almost died!
Afterwards it’s funny to hear that so and so blogger or journalist bought my food. Ladies coming up to me on the market asking: ‘Where’s the gingerbeer lady?’, or someone asking me if I would open a restaurant, or if my gingerbeer was available at Tesco. Hilarious no?
You know the thing is, I enjoy cooking. I cook for my husband, family and friends and I’m happy when they enjoy it. But after the UFM I know for sure that I’m going to pursue this dream of a food market stall and have everyone enjoy a taste of what I make. Last weekend’s compliments were a huge boost for me.
On Friday I sold out, on Saturday I didn’t. But that gave me the chance to do food swaps with other stall holders which is one of the exciting pluspoints of being a stall holder.
I drank an unusual tasting Marmite cocktail and Elderflower Champagne, ate delicious roti and other snacks from my UFM neighbours Mauritian Streetfood, pumpkin and toffee apple ice cream from Peck Peck Peck and the most delicious vanilla cheesecake from The Art of Puddings.
There is still a stash of deliciousness in my fridge and cupboard: toffee apple ice cream, cannoli from The Hungry Wolf, Damson ketchup, summer piccalilli, a pumpkin chocolate truffle from Paul.A.Young and Jerk Marinade from Foodstories.
Words fail me to describe the fabulousness of the market I’m afraid, but imagine this:
A two bedroom flat filled with stalls selling cakes/marinades/jewellery/, a kitchen where food demo’s were held, a Dragon’s Den on the balcony, a bar in the bath tub, a shed filled with chocolate and jewellery, a garden smelling of the most delicious food ever, and people chatting, drinking cocktails and eating food everywhere!
After experiencing the UFM there’s two things I know for sure: The English can cook! And they sure know how to party!
And last but not least: A big thank you to Kerstin and everyone who came down to the UFM. You really made my weekend!
