I was looking forward to Friday, I’d booked a day off work and had got myself a pretty tasty line up. An early hefty session in the gym saw me fit, and more importantly hungry, for my planned day out at the Real Food Festival followed by more food and some booze filled revelry at Ms Marmite Lovers Underground Farmers Market. I had a fun time at the festival chatting to producers and catching up with some friends but the event seemed to lack soul and I left feeling a little cold. Not one to be easily disheartened I took advantage of the balmy evening and forged on with my day, walking up to North Kilburn for food entertainment part two.
What I found was in stark contrast to the slightly sombre day event; Ms Marmite Lovers house was heaving with people, the place was literally rocking! I’ve been to two of her previous farmers markets, but this was the first evening one and it was clearly a raging success. Kerstin it seems has her finger firmly on the current food pulse and managed to nail an impressive hit list of trends, perfectly ticking of vintage, streetfood, underground and entrepreneurialism in one fun evening swoop.
Once again bravely opening up her abode to I believe around 600 near strangers, every possible nook and cranny had been utilised to great effect. From a DJ tucked behind her bedroom door to juiceology cocktails being served from an ironing board in the same room I’m really not exaggerating here! A foodie dragons den was being held to a packed audience in the kitchen, offering small producers a chance to pitch their ideas to a board of experts in exchange for sound advice. I passed all sorts of lovely and tempting things as I squeezed my way through the main living area, picking up some marzipan sweets and a madeleine from French Made to tuck in my handbag for later on.
I’d come here hungry though so quickly followed my nose down the spiral staircase into the garden where I was pretty stoked to be confronted by some awesome street food. With my priorities firmly in place I managed to find myself a glass of wine first, then headed directly to the Street Foodies stand where I wholfed down the latest version of their Korean sliders, a kimchi cheeseburger; I think I may have to become a groupie, these guys are getting better and better, this was amazing! After a peek in the fairy light lit shed host to several more traders I was up for some more food, it was a toss up between Anna mae’s pulled pork and Mauritian street food, curiosity got the better of me and I chose Mauritian. I’m so glad I did as every mouthful was incredible, starting with gateaux piment; a lightly spicy deep fried fritter, I followed this with their other dish, a roti chaud which was a freshly made roti filled with a tomato sauce and butter bean curry, both were a revelation to me, so good. Amongst the hot food stalls were traders selling food to take away and plenty of drink options too. I had a nice chat to the lovely makers of wonderful real chocolate hot chocolate Jaz & Juls who recently scooped an aclaimed Academy of Chocolate gold award for their ‘caramelicious’, and was delighted to see The Deli Station were back again with their incredible selection of artisan cheeses.
I couldn’t leave of course without buying myself a copy of Ms Marmite Lovers beautiful book Supper Club. And as if I hadn’t already eaten enough, I simply couldn’t resist a PeckPeckPeck ice cream from the van parked up in the driveway on my way out. I chose two not quite complimentary, but utterly delicious flavours; a dreamy lemon curd and my childhood favourite mint choc chip. Merrily munching along to catch my train home I was left feeling positively brimming with excitement about the London food scene, and also really curious to see where Ms Marmite Lover will take the next underground market, could we be looking forward to a full on food rave? I do hope so….
