The return to street market shopping
has been an on-going trend
in the last few years.
All around the globe,
there has been clear signs,
apparently shifting
gears from shopping off
chain store shelves
towards
small vendors on stands.
The Borough Market
in
London
is a fine example
of both
wholesale & retail
of all manner of
fresh & preserved food.
In the British capital,
the journey is just as
exciting as the destination.
To get to the market,
I planned a route that took me to the
Tower of London
&
then a short walk by the
Thames,
pass
The Shard
&
finally at Southwark Street.
There was a chilly nip in the air
&
the sky looked as if
it was painted
upon a Van Gogh canvas.
Swirls of fluffy white clouds,
played hide-and-seek
with the sun.
Our double-decker bus,
navigated through traffic
&
the odd pedestrian perilously.
This city is easy on the legs.
Pavements carefully
planned & executed,
allowed quick access to the market.
Open only from
Wednesday to Saturdays,
this market apparently has been
around since 1014!
The present location right beside the
Southwark Cathedral,
is totally charming & full of buzz.
The success of the place
is evident in the size
of the crowd,
resembling a
United Nations
pow-wow.
Tourists & locals
shop, wander & taste
their way through this
gastronomic marvel.
The setting itself is unique...
a rail viaduct runs right above while a
graceful Cathedral sits peacefully on one side
as if guarding the site.
The range of
products & produce
available are mostly from the
British Isles,
while some imports from the continent
could be found.
Quality & provenance
are two selling features of this
exceptional market.
There are well over
a 100 stalls
to suit every
taste & fancy.
You get a feeling that the
traders have great pride
in what they do,
&
there is a strong sense of community.
After all,
in life,
you can only fool people
half the time!
 |
| As I walked around, words like "fresh, delicious, & hmmm...that looks good!" spring to mind! The language here is universal... it speaks to the core of many of us who respect quality & passion! |
True to form,
everything is
beautifully laid
out
&
displayed.
When you've got it flaunt it,
seems to be mantra around here!
Just take a look at all these gorgeous pies!
Mesmerizing indeed!
Artisanal
"this & that"
in all
shapes & form
are everywhere.
Without missing a beat,
these small scale producers
are not only preserving an
age old craft.
Instead,
they are bringing it yards forward,
improving & refining
along the way!
I have a confession.
The day I visited,
I already had an early lunch in
Chinatown.
But the moment I laid eyes on these
roast pork-filled buns,
I succumbed!
( ..and was not disappointed !)
Did you know that this market is
owned by a
charitable trust?
And run by a board of
volunteer Trustees?
Simply amazing...ain't it?
You definitely cannot solve
the
worlds problems
but putting good food on the plate
of the less privilege
is perhaps
the best place to start.
An international beauty pageant has a
motto that goes...
"Beauty With A Purpose".
Ever since I was a young kid,
I've been pondering on this.
And guess what?
I'm still pondering!
What do you think about
"Food With A Purpose"
instead?
The
hungry & destitute
don't care if this gorgeous
person appears in his or her village.
A loaf of bread is a loaf of bread
regardless of who's
dishing it out!!!
 |
| Somewhere along the years, we've forgotten to eat well. The importance of good nutrition is second to being seen in the right place. Many cannot regonise well prepared food from bad. Thank goodness change is in the air. The Borough Market is a wonderful place to start. If this could ignite an idea & stimulate the imagination with culinary lust, then we're good. |
Mass produced
food & fashion
are indeed for the masses.
For those that need to be told what to do,
has to be fed as well.
By comparison,
there is quite a distance
between
good & mediocre
cuisine
&
the lines may be blurred to many.
For those in the know,
they thread carefully on.
Seeking out
the
different & the special.
Rejecting the mundane
&
average.
They say we are what we eat...
now, isn't that food for thought?
After all,
is
small
not the new
BIG?
