Taste East

Here comes the LOL online feature for the third issue ARTS.

I tried to go to the market at gap between radio interviews. But how stupid I was that I forgot to bring the address with me, and even if Ying and I asked people how to get there we still failed to...

Taste East

The curtain has descended on the 6-day East Festival that showcased the best of what was on offer in East London running from 6-11 March.

As food part of the East Festival, Taste East has been back.

On Fri 7 and Sat 8 March from 12pm to 5pm, the wonderful two days food festival was held in Old Spitalfields Market.

This year Taste East celebrated the countryside by welcoming Spitalfields City Farm into Bishop’s Square, which transformed Spitalfields into a country idyll armed with lots of food stalls, demonstrations, and free family entertainment.

Fabulous Food Fair
Over 50 carefully selected stalls have offered the freshest and finest food sample at the free international country food fair.

People could also buy the food back to home and taste leisurely.

Some really wonderful food stalls that provided delicious food all over the world were on display in the two afternoons.

Also some Great British Food from some of the east end's best restaurants shared a passion for ethically sourced British produce.

Jollof Pot, founded by Romford based couple Lloyd Mensah and Adwoa Hagan-Mensah, offered modern Ghanaian food that is characterised by its hearty, tasty stews and soups.

The Rivington Grill, a celebrated restaurant in the east end, of which menu was originally created by one the UK's best chefs Mark Hix, gave cooking demonstrations within a hot food stall.

Rummanco, producing quality Caribbean food and established for over 25 years, offered their range of spicy condiments that all made with natural ingredients and no colourings or preservatives such as Rummanco Mango & Apricot Chutney with jerk spices.

Don't Forget the Drinks
Not only food, but all manner of fine wines, traditional ciders and independently brewed beers were on Taste East. Plus a whole lot of juices, organic hot chocolates, coffees and teas.

Quaffs Beer, founded by beer enthusiast Chris Gill, sold beers from across the world including unusual beers that cannot be found easily in the UK.

Tea Smith, a contemporary tea house in Old Spitalfields Market, founded by tea obsessive John Kennedy and his wife, offered a selection of teas that grown and processed in their traditional locations, and hosted a stall where people could learn the art of making the perfect cup.

Free Demonstrations
On Friday and Saturday, secrets of some of the country’s top chefs were discovered at free demonstrations on Taste East festival. They have given live food demonstrations.

Peter Gott of Sillfield Farm strongly believes in the "Slow Food" movement, which encourages and promotes local food and artisan food production. He is also deeply involved with the promotion of quality food and food production.

Cyrus Todiwala, in 2000 awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) in recognition of his skill and commitment to the catering industry, is proprietor and Executive Chef of innovative Indian restaurant Café Spice Namasté in Whitechapel.

Don’t be afraid of missing last weekend’s Taste East food festival, just go to Old Spitalfields Market at Brushfield Street along with your family and friends at any time!