2019 WAS THE SUMMER OF STREET FOOD!
2019 WAS THE SUMMER OF STREET FOOD FOR STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE!
The summer months hurtled by in a food-fuelled blur. Between May and late August, the Street Food Warehouse calendar was booked to the brim with our summer tour, and having had time to take stock, let us now say this: WOW!
From Aberystwyth to Devon, Swansea to Somerset and Pembrokeshire to Dorset, the Street Food Tour took us to some of the most picturesque places in the country, and gave us the opportunity to appreciate golden hours and golden moments aplenty with insanely talented street food vendors and thousands of wonderful festival attendees across the UK. Hopefully, you were lucky enough to join us at one or more of our events in 2019, in what was our biggest year yet; nine weekends of street food madness, and as we look to the future, we're only just getting started...
Back in May, things kicked off with an explosion of colour and fun as we brought Swansea Street Food Festival back to the Museum Park. Sharing the weekend with Swansea Pride, the biggest bank holiday party in South Wales ensued. A selection of some of our favourite vendors brought their A-game, and the Pop Up Bar Hire sales were through the roof. The Westival boys rocked up with three days worth of party pumpers and served up tasty tunes across the weekend, and with Pride parading through the site on a heaving Saturday, it really was one for the history books.
Then, we took a drive to the South East coast as Sussex Street Food Festival descended upon Hastings. Amongst the awesome line up was a serious selection of Southeast Asian cuisine, and boy did they go down well. Another bank holiday success, and May ticked off.
If we're talking excitement levels for the Street Food Warehouse gang, June felt like December. Why? Because between 14-16, we were looking at Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival - it's like our Christmas!
The fourth Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival was, as predicted, a massive success. Located upon the picturesque setting on South Beach, Tenby, thousands of hungry foodies arrived to chow down on a bang-tidy selection of street food. Bao Selecta were selling buns quicker than they could make 'em, and we were absolutely thrilled to see family-run cheesecake champs Dutty's embark on only their second ever event! Did they sell out? Silly question, really.
Local party-starters in the form of the Westival resident DJs returned to the fold, turning the marquee into a makeshift dancefloor on Saturday night, whilst we also welcomed young children and doggos aplenty for what several punters claimed was one of the best family-friendly events in the area across the summer period. You'll have to judge that for yourself, and come along in 2020.
July went by quicker than you could say 'Mac and Cheese', as we hit the road up and down the country to deliver big street food vibes to Dorset, Aberystwyth and Somerset. Beginning at the beautiful coastal town of Lyme Regis, Dorset Street Food Festival entailed three idyllic days of sitting on that hill with the sun beaming down, and a long ol' line of street food to get stuck into. Tucking into Little Marrakesh's Moroccan chicken whilst staring at the purple sunset was a summer highlight for us.
From the South West of England to the West of Wales, our tour then debuted in Aberystwyth. The sun shone in our blessed homeland, as we brought a highly-lauded army of street food vendors. The mayor popped in for a bite amongst heaps of others, and it was a weekend of celebration all round as graduating students joined us at the Marina.
Another debut saw us back down south, as Somerset Street Food Festival arrived for the first time in Weston-super-Mare. At Italian Gardens, a mere amble away from the famous pier, with water fountains and cocktails flowing in equal measure, it was a pleasure to see so many punters from Weston and beyond heading home each evening with full bellies and smiling faces.
On our old stomping ground of Ilfracombe, it was our fifth (yes, fifth!) year of Devon Street Food Festival, and it was by far the most successful year we've had there so far. The weather was incredible, the place was bustling, and the setting was spectacular. Similarly, we got super lucky in Milford Haven with glistening sunshine for our second stint of the summer in Pembrokeshire. You'll have to check out this video to see just how awesome that weekend was.
Then, to wrap things up it was a biggy - the Welsh Street Food Awards in partnership with Hellmann's. Back where it all began at Museum Park, Swansea, Welsh vendors battled it out for the two places at the British Street Food Awards later this year. Pink Peppercorn took the judges prize for their phenomenal, Welsh-history-inspired dishes, whilst Malaysian maestros Makasih won the public vote for their array of Asian delights. A huge congratulations to both, as well as all vendors at the event. You could never get the Street Food Warehouse staff to pick just two - we love you all!
And just like that, summer was gone. 2019, the summer of street food. So... What now? Well, with vendor applications opening again soon for our 2020 events, there's no rest for the wicked. We'll soon be putting the forms on each individual event page and social media profile as they are released, so for the vendors - keep a keen eye out.
As for you street food punters, Street Food Warehouse are available to you! Street food continues to explode in popularity, and as such, our events calendar next year is expanding even further. But how about some street food at your event? Whether it's a birthday party, wedding or private function, hit us up at Street Food Warehouse if you want to get street food-y!
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CREAM OF THE CROP: THE BEST ICE CREAM IN SOUTH WALES
The cream of the crop: the best ice cream in South Wales!
After a few false starts, it looks like summer’s here – and it’s back with a vengeance. And what better than to cool off when the temperature rises than a delicious scoop of ice cream or two?The verdant rural pastures of Wales mean that when it comes to ice cream, there’s very few who can match us. Add to the proud tradition of Welsh-Italian cafes and ice cream parlours – a fixture here since the industrial revolution - and you’ve got a recipe for some of the best frozen delights in all of the country.Here’s some of our favourite spots…
Joe’s: Swansea, Cardiff & Llanelli
The queues snaking out on to Mumbles Road on a sunny day attest to the wild popularity of Joe's – probably south Wales’ most famous and beloved ice cream. The company dates back to 1898, when Luigi Cascarini moved to the region from the Abruzzi Mountains in Italy and set up a café for industrial workers in the area. Joe’s is a mainstay of Swansea seaside life, but the lucky residents of Roath in Cardiff can get their hands on one with its shop in Wellfield Road. There’s a branch out west in Llanelli too.TRY IT: It’s got to be Joe’s Real Vanilla – it’s a tried and tested recipe unchanged since 1922.
Forte's: Mumbles
You’d be hard pressed to find a better spot for an ice cream than Forte's, a quaint parlour situated right next to Limeslade beach and the Wales Coastal Path – in the summer you can often spot seals frolicking the water nearby. The view is amazing but the ice cream is arguably even better – and that’s saying something.TRY IT: Strongbow Dark Fruits ice cream. Yes, really. We back this hard.
Ice Green: Cardigan
Here’s a Welsh ice cream producer proudly doing it without dairy. Cardigan’s Ice Green is causing quite a stir with it’s plant-based iced concoctions in and around its home of Carmarthen and beyond. They’ve been wowing revellers at Street Food Warehouse events, so catch ‘em while they’re hot. Or in this case, cold.TRY IT: Ice Green have launched a new dairy-free riff on soft-serve ice cream: Mr Oaty, made with gluten-free oats.
Cadwalader’s: Cardiff Bay, Barry
Cadwalader’s HQ is actually in north Wales, but this might just be one of the best spots in the Welsh capital to get a frosty cone on a nice day. It’s right on the front at Mermaid Quay, and ideal for watching the tourist boats bobbing around the Bay. The seaside crew in Barry can also get in on the action at its Paget Road café.TRY IT: How about a scoop or two of the magical ‘Unicorn’ flavor?
Caffe Sidoli’s: Ebbw Vale, Bridgend
Welsh-Italian OG's Sidoli's have been whipping up top-notch ice cream since the 1920s. Back then, the goods were made using blocks of ice brought in on rail from Cardiff. Thankfully, making ice cream’s a lot easier today – but it’s just as delicious. For the traditional experience head to the original Ebbw Vale cafe, but you can also unwind with a sundae or cone after a hard afternoon bargain hunting at the retail paradise of McArthur Glen, just off the M4 near Bridgend.TRY IT: You really can’t go wrong with Sidoli’s mint chocolate chip, for our money.
Which ones have we missed? Tell us on Twitter and Facebook.
DEVON STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019: THE STREET FOOD WEEKENDER RETURNS TO ILFRACOMBE!
DEVON STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019: THE STREET FOOD WEEKENDER RETURNS TO ILFRACOMBE!
Ilfracombe: throw it back to last summer. Beaming sunshine, ice-cold drinks in abundance, and the country's best street food on your doorstep. Sound familiar? Get yourselves excited, as Devon Street Food Festival returns to the South West coast for another big one between 2nd - 4th August!Ilfracombe locals, South West street food day-trippers and holiday-makers coming from far and wide can expect a whole host of unique, talented and friendly street food vendors serving incredible food from all over the globe. There's so much to try, don't be surprised if you return for a second (or third...) day! Street Food Warehouse are also bringing their sister company, Pop Up Bar Hire, to keep your glasses full across the entire weekend.From 12pm until 10pm over a three-day food extravaganza, Street Food Warehouse will welcome curious foodies, festival lovers and and sun-soakers alike for this midsummer bash, where they'll enjoy menus brimming with the exciting, the exotic and the extraordinary.
So, who is trading at Devon Street Food Festival 2019? We've got some Street Food Warehouse favourites involved, including The Dog House with their unbelievable loaded hot dogs, and Gourmet Street Kitchen serving their out-of-this-world mac and cheese. Alongside some of our regulars, as well as a host of exciting newbies too; Hopala are bringing their sun-powered truck to whip up their delicious crepes, and we're excited to have Handmade Pizza Co on board to bring the the doughy, delicious goodness!At Street Food Warehouse, we like to ensure that everyone is catered for. Our selection of street food vendors travel from all over the UK with their tasty dishes and have the ability to cater for gluten and dairy intolerances, veggies and vegans. This family-friendly event has something for everyone… even dogs, who are always welcome to our events!
We feel like we’re forgetting to mention something? Hmmm… Perhaps that 2019 is the year that Street Food Warehouse will be sponsored by the UK’s number one hot pepper sauce brand, Encona! At Somerset Street Food Festival, a number of our vendors will be incorporating Encona’s range of sauces into their favourite dishes ready for you to try!A weekend of outstanding food, refreshing beverages and good vibes awaits – the only thing missing is you! Tickets are free, so no excuses. Register for your free tickets here and you’ll be in with a chance of winning x4 street food meals and cocktails, all sponsored by Encona! Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for a number of foodie competitions that'll be running as we build up to the big weekend.