Welsh Street Food Awards - Words from the Winners
So, the Welsh Street Food Awards returned for 2020 last weekend. With Street Food Warehouse having hosted the awards for the past 2 years, we felt it only fair to let another local street food outlet take the lead for 2020! The awards were held at Talbot Gardens, Pontcanna and entailed some of Cardiff’s most loved street food traders, such as That Street Food, The Queen Pepiada and plenty more.
The winners of the weekend, Makasih and Bao Selecta, just so happen to be two of our most trusted traders in the local foodie scene. So we just couldn’t wait to catch up with them on the weekend’s antics and to chat about their wins!
Makasih – Welsh Street Food Award Champion
Makasih took home the people’s choice award at last year’s Welsh Street Food Awards, hosted by Street Food Warehouse. So, we were thrilled to find out that they had walked away with the champion award this year! Makasih have traded with us for years, so it really is amazing for us to see one of our faves be recognised for their incredible Malaysian street food.
The Makasih team “made changes to our much loved Malaysian Fried Chicken Roti as well as debuting a new dish very much inspired by our travels in Malaysian King Prawn Laksa and presented these to the judges and crossed our fingers.”
Ruth, co-founder of Makasih said “it was so good to be back out trading after a very different summer for us. We traded in our new van Eddie alongside 6 other great traders competing for the title of Welsh Street Food Champions. After winning the People’s choice last year and coming so close to the Judges choice we wanted to go one better.”
Check out Makasih and their mouthwatering grub here.
Bao Selecta – People’s Choice Welsh Street Food Award
Bao Selecta are another one of our most loved street food traders in Cardiff. Their bao buns truly are one to try. With Nick and the team due to make appearances at a number of our 2020 street food festivals, we were gutted to not be working with them this year, but we have plenty of events scheduled for summer 2021, so watch this space!
The Bao Selecta team said "the weekend was great, the sun came out and everybody seemed to have a lovely time. We were just glad to be trading outdoors at an event, so to win the people's vote too was the icing on an already super cake! We are grateful for every vote and have respect for all the tasty food that we tried from the other traders too. A good bunch!"
Stay up to date with the Bao Bun gang here.
Did you know Street Food Warehouse also offers street food catering services to third party events? Learn more here.
Top things to do on your Staycation to South Wales
2020 is the year of the Staycation and whether we like it or not, it appears it’s pretty much our only option. We had been hoping for that perfect Instagram pic, with the clear blue sea and the cloudless sky as a sensational backdrop, and now? That is looking fairly unlikely (thanks, Corona). But do not fear! We’re here to give you some pretty good news. What if we told you there was a staycation location that could provide you with stunning views, exceptional landscapes and a huge variety of cuisine?
South Wales is one of the most beautiful spots within Great Britain and it has so much on offer. If you’re hoping to get away then look no further. Here is a list of some incredible things you can do while in South Wales this Summer:
Climb Pen y Fan
Located in the Brecon Beacons, Pen y Fan is the highest peak in South Wales standing at 886 metres above sea level. The views from the summit are incredible. With the trip taking approximately 3 hours (up and back down) and the terrain good, this climb is really accessible and definitely worthwhile... even if it is for an Insta pic at the summit.
Stuff Your Face at a Street Food Market
If you’re missing out on trying foreign cuisine this year, then Street Food Warehouse can help to satisfy your foodie cravings. With a series of street food markets across South Wales, there will be the opportunity to try a plethora of different cuisines, from Greek to Afghan, from Italian to Mexican. With something for everyone here, these markets promise to be a great day out for the whole family.
Milford Haven Street Food Market is kicking off 2020's Summer of Street Food, on the 28th - 30th August at Milford Waterfront. Tickets can be found HERE.
Visit the Sunflower Field at Rhossili Bay
An extremely Instagrammable spot, for anyone still pining after their perfect holiday snap. A field full of sunflowers is bound to put a smile one everyone’s face. With Worm’s Head in the background, this isn’t one to miss! After you’ve explored the sunflowers, head down to the beach to appreciate a truly gorgeous coastline.
A Beach Day at Barry Island
Would a trip to South Wales be complete without visiting Barry Island? We think not! The birthplace of Gavin and Stacey is a bit of a tourist hotspot! With Nessa’s arcade being a big attraction. Barry Beach is a great place to spend time with your family and there are classic food options close by for when you get a little hungry.
Take a Trip to Caerphilly Castle
For the history lovers among us, South Wales is a tropical paradise. There are hundreds of castles to check out while in Wales. One of our personal favourites is Caerphilly, originally built in 1290, it has been around for quite some time! Welsh history is fascinating, if you’re visiting from elsewhere take some time to learn more about the culture of Wales.
Visit the Dan yr Ogof caves
This 17km cave system is unmissable! A really unique experience situated in the Brecon Beacons that will entertain the whole family. Following exploring the caves, take a trip to a local market town, such as Brecon, to try some local delicacies.
While it may not have been the Summer holiday you had planned, South Wales has so much on offer. Whether you like to hike, swim, eat or drink, everything you could possibly need for a successful holiday is right here on our Celtic country we like to call home.
Stay up to date on Street Food Warehouse on Facebook and Instagram
Street Food Warehouse brings new Street Food Market to Huddersfield & Kent!
Are you bored of Bolognese in lockdown? Don’t fear, Street Food Warehouse is here.
With our Summer of Street Food being cut short (thanks a lot, Corona) we have been working on some fresh new foodie experiences in new territories for us at Street Food Warehouse. We are thrilled to announce that we have partnered up with the Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre, Chatham and Kingsgate Shopping Centre, Huddersfield, to open two brand spanking new street food markets!
We have searched high and low to bring together the best of local street food, and popped them all into two street food markets for you to enjoy. Both markets feature local street food and indoor seating, with Dockside also offering up a bar and rooftop terrace.
MEET THE TRADERS: DOCKSIDE
Home of the best bang bang prawns in the south east… James and his Seawise crew have set up camp at Dockside for the foreseeable to feed the hungry masses with their seafood dishes.
Kent’s very own Curry Cook House will be on hand with all the Pakistani street food you could ever wish for. Their Malai Chicken Naan Wrap is not one to be missed!
THE PICK N GO
Pizza? Pasta? Lasagne? You name it, the Pick n Go has it. These guys will be bringing a taste of Italy to Dockside this summer.
Street Food Warehouse at Dockside Outlet is now open daily, from midday. Boasting a bar, both indoor and outdoor seating on an incredible rooftop terrace, with endless views over the water.
MEET THE TRADERS: KINGSGATE
Cheese and potato with endless toppings… what more could you want? This family duo is bringing a taste of Canadian Poutine to Huddersfield at The Street, Kingsgate.
These guys’ goal is exactly as the name says… getting the people of Hudderfield to eat like a Greek! Meat-eaters, vegans and veggies alike can get their souvlaki fix from Eat like a Greek at The Street this summer.
The Street at Kingsgate is now open daily, with both traders taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme throughout August.
More traders will be added to both street food markets in the coming weeks, keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for updates!
STEPS TOWARDS A MORE SUSTAINABLE EVENT INDUSTRY
It's no surprise that the hottest topic of 2020 is climate change and people are fired up to not only create change but reduce their carbon footprint too. Basic steps such as recycling and reusing products has become second nature to most, but what other ways can we lower our carbon footprint? Consumers are not all to blame, which is why companies and events are shifting their ethics in reaction to the unavoidable change. Here are some of the ways that festivals, including our 2020 Summer of Street Food, have taken steps to be more eco-friendly.
Avoiding Single-Use Plastic
Single-use plastic is the most overproduced and wasteful forms of plastic. Over 100 million single-use plastic cups are thrown away at events annually in the UK alone. That’s why most festivals have switched to reusable cups. By buying a cup at any bar for a small additional fee, it can be reused and cleaned by a bar or vendor at the event. At the end of the festival, the cups can be taken home a fun piece of memorabilia or returned at the event to be recycled. Research shows that using reusable cups are an ideal switch, as long as they are reused 2 to 3 times… it’s a no brainer! Keep an eye out for Street Food Warehouse reusable cups this summer!
Repurposing Food
Thousands of tons of perfectly good food is thrown away from events annually. Such large-scale festivals have so many unknown variables, which is why food is usually overproduced. However, organisations such as the 8th Plate have taken initiative to give leftover food to the most vulnerable in our society. The food is distributed to the elderly, homeless, and people living with chronic health issues. Not only does this help feed people in need, but reduces CO2 emission from the environment. Well done 8th Plate!
Sustainable Food Options
Recently, you may have noticed that many festivals and events have promoted more sustainable and locally sourced foods. Scientists have noted the carbon emission of animal production, which may be the reason why plant-based options have increased in all events and even in supermarkets. Caterers are also becoming far more conscious of the meat they source, by aiming to source only organic and local food producers.
Transportation
Cars are the most common mode of transportation to festivals, constituting 80% of the carbon emissions. By rewarding those who take alternative forms of transport, some festivals have found fun and creative ways to reduce their carbon production from attendees. The Belgian Festival, Pukkelpop, included free public transport with every paid ticket. California’s Coachella also debuted Carpoolchella, awarding car-poolers with festival benefits!
Are you taking steps to be more eco - friendly? Tell us how on Facebook!
THE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN THE SIX NATIONS CITIES
Can you hear that? The ‘thwack’ of a leather boot against an egg-shaped ball as its sent sailing though the crisp February air? The gentle gush of innumerable pints of Guinness being poured? Thousands of stomachs rumbling as hungry fans contemplate what are the best places to eat in the Six Nations cities?
Yes, it’s that time of year again. With that in mind, the globetrotting team at SFW have got you with some top picks to go and get yourself fuelled up if you’re attending a game.
Cardiff
We’ve gone deep on our home city before. However, there are some great new additions to the city centre in the past year, including the truly excellent Souvlike. Try the stunning gyros, which will go down a treat after a day on the Brains SA.
Caroline St is as much part of the ritual for rugby fans as belting out ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ is. Souvlike, along with Tortilla and the increasingly ubiquitous Five Guys have added some variety to the beloved assortment of chips-in-a-tray merchants. But if you’re finding town too much to bear then consider hot-footing it to either City Road. It has a fantastic array of foods from around the world. On the other side of the city, Cowbridge Road in Canton will also leave you spoiled for choice.
Image: Jon Candy via Flickr
Dublin
The posh Aviva stadium isn’t in central Dublin. So, you might have to trek in to the city itself to sort yourself out with some top notch food. Bunsen, which specialises in burgers, is legendary among locals. It has restaurants in Temple Bar, Wexford St and Ranelagh. Thankfully, there’s a few destination street food markets too. Eatyard, near the Portobello canal being one of the most well-known. It offers a wide selection of street food and slow food with influences from around the world.
Image: Rennett Stowe via Flickr
Edinburgh
Edinburgh offers no shortage of excellent locations for a good food. Here, you can find everything from from new twists on traditional Scottish favourites to dishes from around the world. Once the match is over, hop on the light railway that’s located at Murrayfield stadium and cruise back into the City Centre to Haymarket. You'll be greeted by has no shortage of Chinese restaurants. Xiang Bala is an all-you-can-eat Chinese hotpot joint that’s sure to sort you out after a cold day at the ruggers.
Image: Puffin11k via Flickr
London
London is a city which your every culinary desire can be satisfied.
'Twickers' is served by Richmond Underground station, and also has its own train station which goes to Waterloo in less than half an hour. From here, London is your Oyster. Camden, Brixton, Islington, Shoreditch, with their embarrassments of good places to eat, are all accessible directly or with a change or two.
Image: Oatsy44 via Flickr
Paris
Like London, Paris is a city which allows you to scratch every gastronomic itch imaginable. Stade de France is about around 10km from the city centre, but hop on the Metro in and check out Belleville’s vast array of Asian restaurants. Canal Saint-Martin has a selection of eateries from around the world – and they’re relatively affordable too, which is a big plus in pricey Paris.
Image: Guillem Vellhue via Flickr
Rome
Rome’s great for a post-match bite to eat: just grab a pizza by the slice from one of the city’s countless little food shops if you're in the mood for a quick hit. For some boho charm head up to Trastavere, tucked up behind the Colosseum, for some of Rome’s most interesting and quirky restaurants. Monti is also blessed with a selection of terrific restaurants.
Image: Gigi Rimini via Flickr
Tell us what you think the best places to eat in the Six Nations cities are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Keep an eye out on our calendar for forthcoming Street Food Warehouse events throughout the year. We're also available for hire.
BLUE MONDAY 2020: GET HAPPY WITH FOOD
Take some long, dark nights. Throw in some hefty post-Christmas bills. Add a big helping of bad weather and you’ve got the recipe for the most depressing day of the year... allegedly. Yes, it's Blue Monday 2020 which falls on January 20.
We could all do with a bit of a pick-me-up at the sharp end of January, whether you believe the Blue Monday 2020 hype or not. And there aren't many better things to beat the blues than food.
We’re not talking about sitting on the sofa and gorging yourself on crisps, fizzy pop and sweets: although if that works for you, go off! No, we’re talking about some restorative, relatively healthy food to give your well-being a boost...
Omega 3 acids
Found in abundance in oily fish, Omega 3 has been linked to improved brain function. Get your fix of it with a salmon teriyaki, or some grilled mackerel fillets from your local fishmonger with a squeeze of lime. Walnuts also contain Omega 3 if fish isn’t your thing. Try baking them into a cake, or sprinkle over a salad.
B vitamins
Vitamin B6 is said to aid the production of serotonin – that all-important 'happy' chemical released by your brain. Grains like bulgur wheat, brown rice, quinoa are all thought to help with this. So skip the potatoes and use these for your side dish for your Blue Monday meal. Alternatively, add herbs, vegetables or whatever else you’ve got knocking about and construct a healthy and robust salad bowl from your favourite whole grain.
Probiotics
These are a great way of maintaining a good relationship between your stomach and your brain. Bio yoghurts are an obvious way of getting your fix probiotics fix. You could add a dollop to some granola for your breakfast, enjoy for desert, or stir into a curry. Some other probiotic foods include miso paste (found in ramen, above), kimchi (fermented Korean cabbage) and some pickled vegetables.
Folic acid
Folic acid is associated with healthy pregnancies, but there have been a number of studies linking it to your mood. So, to get a fix of folic try spinach, avocado, or chickpeas to boost your intake. Broccoli is also a good source of folic acid, so reach for a bolstering side order for a mood-booster.
Vitamin D
AKA 'the one that you get from sunlight'. This, as we know all too well, is in short supply this time of year. The good news is that Vitamin D is found in cheese, so you’ve got carte blanche to raid the dairy aisle. Vitamin D also found in egg yolks, so get busy with the Spanish omelette. Meanwhile, the plant-based crew could get their additional vitamin D fix from fortified breakfast cereal or orange juice.
What are your favourite foodie pick-me-ups? Show us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
It might be Blue Monday now, but lighter days are just around the corner – keep an eye out on our festival calendar for some serious Street Food to look forward to in 2020
EASY VEGANUARY IDEAS FOR 2020
Are you one of the many people giving a plant-based diet a go this month? If so, we've got some easy Veganuary ideas for you.
Veganuary is a time when many people give a plant-based diet a whirl. Some might decide that a month is enough for them. But for many Veganuary is a resolution which will last all year. Last year, 250,000 people nationwide gave Veganuary a try, and over half of them decided to carry on beyond January.
It’s been a busy month so far, with Greggs launching a vegan steak bake, and even KFC introducing a vegan product – Kentucky Fried Not-Chicken, if you will. Asian food chain Wagamama even launched a vegan tuna substitute, much to the chagrin of the likes of naysayers like Piers Morgan.
So whether you’re dipping your toe in the meat and dairy-free lifestyle for a month to see if it will make you healthier, or planning on it being the start of a permanent switch, we’ve got some Veganuary ideas to make it one of the most tasty months of the year…
Easy vegan substitutes for cheese
“But what about cheese!” It’s one of the most frequent questions people cite when it comes to going all-out vegan. We get it – cheese a very specific culinary itch to scratch.
So, thank goodness for the increasingly wide choice of vegan cheeses out there. Nutritional yeast (honestly, it’s nicer than it sounds) has long been the go-to substitute to add that Parmesan-like umami depth to pasta dishes, while cheese retailers in London such as La Fauxmargerie have shown that vegan dairy substations can hold their own on a cheeseboard.
Image: Ella Ollson via Flickr
Cauliflower: your Veganuary secret weapon
Forget everything you know about boiled, bland, mushy cauliflower. The humble member of the Brassica family is cheap, cheerful and ready to be your go-to saviour this Veganuary. Whether it’s a roasted as a table centrepiece, tossed into a creamy coconut curry sauce or even deep fried in southern-fried coating, Veganuary is the time for cauliflower to shine.
Image: Wikipedia Commons
Easy ways to get protein this Veganuary
One of the frequent criticisms levelled at the vegan diet is that it doesn’t allow for much in the way of protein. But this isn’t the case. From tofu to lentils and pulses like chickpeas and beans, there’s plenty of ways to get your fix of protein this Veganuary – so, no need to give up your season ticket to the ‘gain train’ just yet.
Image: Wikipedia Commons
Ways to get iron for vegans
Like protein, iron is one of the biggest bugbears for vegan naysayers. But according to the Vegan Society, you can easily get enough iron in your diet with foods including lentils, chickpeas, beans, tofu, cashew nuts, chia seeds, ground linseed, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, kale, dried apricots, dried figs, raisins, quinoa and fortified breakfast cereal.
Meatless marvels
All the big supermarket hitters have expanded their plant-based ranges in time for Veganuary. It's now relatively easy to find everything from bacon and chorizo substitutes to seitan 'beef' burgers. This is great news if you really can’t do without a bacon sarnie, and it’s also a godsend for adding into dishes to add a flavor boost. Try chopped up vegan bacon or chorizo into a chilli or pasta sauce, for instance.
Share your Veganuary ideas for 2020 on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
Street Food Warehouse is available for hire: from corporate events to weddings and more. Hit us up to find out how we can add a bit of spice to your event.
EASY NEW YEAR'S FOOD RESOLUTIONS
Well that was 2019, and what a year it was. As we head into the new decade, here’s some New Year's food resolutions to make your 2020 a whole lot tastier...
Try somewhere new every month
It can be quite easy to settle into a groove of eating in the the same old places. The front of house knows your name. You're wise to the best thing on the menu. Plus, you know all the best times to bag yourself a table and not get turned away.
“But there are no new restaurants near me!” we hear you exclaim: well, we know a few vendors which get around a lot. Which leads us to…
But you might be doing yourself a disservice. Your town or city probably has a few hidden gems tucked away you’ve not been to before. So, mark off a date in your calendar every month to try a new eatery. It doesn’t even have to be a fancy meal: maybe it’s a bakery, a sandwich shop or somewhere quick for lunch.
Go to a Street Food Festival
It’s cold and dark outside but this summer’s program of Street Food Warehouse events is already heating up. With a bumper list of festivals and a bigger and better roster of top-notch vendors than ever, mark a date in your diary today.
Have people around for food more often
Put that new kitchenware or cookery book you had for Christmas to good use and have your pals or extended around for a slap-up supper. You could even get everyone to bring something they’ve made themselves if the thought of tackling the lot is just too much to bear. If you’re looking for an excuse, tie it in to a big telly event like a season finale or cup final.
Start growing your own vegetables
There’s something quite idyllic about the prospect of growing your own fruit and vegetables, but actually getting out there and doing it is another matter altogether.
A vegetable garden for beginners isn’t actually too difficult – some good soil, a sunny environment and a steady environment is, in theory, all you need.
But what are the easiest vegetables to grow? The experts reckon carrots, lettuce and cucumbers are easy vegetables to grow for beginners. If you’re hard-pressed for space, then a herb box on your windowsill might be a good place to start. Or, consider putting your name down for your local allotment.
Give something up
Giving a particular food a miss for a year doesn’t necessarily have to be motivated by health reasons. Ditching a go-to favourite can push you out of your comfort zone to try new recipes and ingredients. And if it’s something unhealthy, you might even have some pleasant knock-on effects too. It could be anything from going meat and dairy free – here’s some easy vegan substitutions to get you started – to giving up your go-to lunch for something different.
Tell us your New Year's food resolutions for 2020 on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
Street Food Warehouse is available for hire: from corporate events to weddings and more. Hit us up to find out how we can add a bit of spice to your event.
