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Find inspiration for your Christmas food and drink at Borough Market’s Festive Kitchen
Enjoy cookalongs, masterclasses and talks to make sure this festive season is a culinary treat.
Borough Market’s Festive Kitchen runs from 2 December 2020
We all know Christmas will be rather different this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But one thing about the festive season that can’t be ruined is all the wonderful food and drink. In the run-up to Yuletide, the capital’s famous food market is giving Londoners plenty of ‘food for thought’ in a three-week digital pop-up. Borough Market’s Festive Kitchen will feature plenty of foodie events to inspire and entertain from 2 December 2020.
Streamed live from a special kitchen set in the market, chefs and food experts will be hosting cookalongs, masterclasses and talks. Running on Wednesdays to Fridays throughout December, the live activities and events will showcase the market’s fantastic produce and inspire festive recipes and Christmas food and drink. Whatever you fancy, from meat, baking, vegetable, chocolate, and even floristry, you can make sure your kitchen is ready for the celebrations, no matter how large or small we’re allowed to have.
Each week will be curated and compered by three hosts, including food author and presenter Angela Clutton, plant-based cooking expert and Bettina’s Kitchen founder Bettina Campolucci Bordi and GBBO’s first winner and author Edd Kimber. Wednesdays will kick off with a series of live cookalongs, with guest chefs – such as Ben Ebbrell and Olia Hercules – dropping by on Thursday evenings. Londoners can pre-order recipe produce boxes from the market so they can cook along at home.
Among the chefs, stallholders, and food and drink experts taking part in the pop-up include: Mei Mei, Shuk, Juma, Calum Franklin, Anna Jones, Gizzi Erskine, Ryan ‘Mr Lyan’ Chetiyawardana, Signe Johansen, Nina Parker, Alexandra Dudley, Ed Smith, Benjamina Ebuehi, Northfield Farm, Turnips, Bread Ahead, Rabot 1745, and The Gated Garden.
- Borough Market’s Festive Kitchen runs from 2 – 24 December 2020. All events are free of charge. The full schedule and details on how to order recipe produce boxes can be found on the Borough Market website. All live content will be streamed on the market’s Facebook page.
Find out what’s on in London in December 2020 here.
Borough Market extends delivery service within M25 and brings foodie community online
The iconic market is extending its delivery service amid the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.
Life in London has changed rapidly for most of us in the past couple of weeks amid the current Covid-19 outbreak. However, while things are obviously different, it’s important that Londoners support each other and our local businesses during this difficult time.
London’s famous Borough Market has extended its online delivery services to customers within the M25. While the market remains open with strict hygiene and public health measures in place to protect shoppers and traders, it is also offering food and drink delivery to those Londoners who can’t get to SE1.
Borough Market launched its deliveries by zero-emission electric bikes in November 2019, initially within a 2.5 mile radius. However, in light of the Coronavirus crisis, the radius has been extended to any location inside the M25 from 19 March 2020. Electric bikes couriers will be used for a reasonable distance of the market, but vans (hybrid whenever possible) will be used for deliveries further away. Traders and couriers will follow strict hygiene practices with food securely packaged and an option of contactless delivery system if needed if customers are self-isolating and want to avoid contact with others. Meanwhile, the click-and-collect service is also available daily from 12pm-9pm if you’re able to reach the market.
In the coming weeks, Borough Market will be supporting the local community. Trader Bread Ahead is offering free yeast to locals who want to bake their own bread at home. Foodies can also find plenty of inspiration for their home cooking with hundreds of free online recipes, as well as live cooking demos and cookalongs from top chefs and market restaurants on the Borough Market Community Facebook Group.
- To order produce from Borough Market’s traders, visit the Good Sixty website. For more information about the market, visit its official website.
To find out the history of Borough Market, click here.
A ‘grate’ night out: An Evening of Cheese returns to Borough Market
An Evening of Cheese returns to Borough Market for one night only
Cheese lovers rejoice! It’s time to research your Christmas dairy needs as the annual ‘An Evening of Cheese’ returns to Borough Market. On Wednesday 11 December, the historic market will be opening its doors for a late-night celebration of cheese. Over 20 cheesemongers will be showcasing their cow, goat and sheep’s milk cheese from UK and international producers. Foodies can get inspired for their festive cheeseboard by talking to cheesemongers and getting advice on drink and cheese pairings. You can also pick up cheese recipes and watching cheese-based cooking demos in the Market Hall’s Demo Kitchen.
Meanwhile, in the run-up to Christmas, Borough Market are extending their opening hours to help Londoners get prepared for their food and drink needs for the festive season. The market will be open daily until 4pm on Christmas Eve, including Sundays. There will be plenty of seasonal fun, with local choirs performing in the Market Hall, festive Demo Kitchens and Cookbook Club sessions with Angela Clutton and Ed Smith, author of the Borough Market Cookbook. Customers will also be able to use the new click-and-collect service, to make their food shopping even more convenient.
- An Evening Of Cheese takes place on 11 December 2019 from 6pm-8pm. At Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL. Nearest station: London Bridge. Free entry. For more information, visit the Borough Market website.
- Borough Market is open every day during the Christmas period from 4 December until 4pm on Christmas Eve – including Sundays.
For a guide to what else is on in London this December, click here.
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with fine food and drink at the Taste the Greatness of Northern Ireland showcase
The Taste the Greatness of Northern Ireland showcase is coming to Borough Market in March
Why not celebrate St Patrick’s Day with some of the finest food and drink from Northern Ireland? This month, traders from the region will be bringing their wares to London’s historic Borough Market. The foodie destination will host the ‘Taste the Greatness of Northern Ireland’ showcase from Wednesday 13 March to Saturday 23 March.
Throughout the event, guest traders from the country will be setting up shop in the Market Hall. Expect to see a wide range of products for sale, including meats, traditional breads, snacks, sauces and spirits including gin, whiskey and rum. Among the traders will be Indie Fude (13-17 March) – who established NI’s first cheese collective – and the Krazi Baker, aka Mark Doulas, with his soda and potato breads (20-23 March).
Food fans will be able to watch the Krazi Baker making the bread and get to sample it fresh from the griddle. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland celebrity chef Paula McIntyre will be in the demonstration kitchen (13–17 March), cooking up delicious traditional dishes using products available at the showcase.
On St Patrick’s Day on Sunday 17 March, Borough Market will open their doors for a free celebration. Families are invited to attend this fun event, with food, drink, cookery demos, live entertainment, as well as the fine produce of Northern Ireland to sample and purchase.
- ‘Taste the Greatness of Northern Ireland’ showcase runs from 13-17 and 20-23 March 2019. At Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL. Nearest station: London Bridge. Opening times: Wed-Thu 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 8am-5pm, Sun (17 Mar only) 12pm-4pm. Free entry. For more information, visit the Borough Market website.
Will you ‘brie’ there? An Evening Of Cheese returns to Borough Market
Will you ‘Brie’ there? Roque (fort) down to Borough Market for an Evening of Cheese in December
Returning to Borough Market this December is the hugely popular celebration of cheese. With Londoners planning their festive cheeseboard, this is a great place to get inspiration for your next special dinner. This annual late-night shopping event offers Londoners than chance to meet over 20 of the market’s cheesemongers and explore a huge range of cow, goat and sheep’s milk cheese from UK and international producers.
On Wednesday 12 December 2018, ‘An Evening of Cheese’ returns to Borough Market. Expect to see cheese stalls taking over the market, with experts on hand to advise you on your festive cheese needs, including cheese recipes and drink pairings. There will also be a cheese-based cooking demo in the Market Hall’s Demo Kitchen.
Among the world cheeses taking part include:
- Drumlin – Heritage Cheese (Ireland).
- Oude Beemster Gouda – Borough Cheese Company (Holland).
- Canarejal Cremoso – Brindisa Ltd (Spain).
- Roquefort – Mons Cheesemongers (France).
On the night, market traders will compete in the ‘cracking of the parmesan wheel’, while local choirs and carol singers will bring some Christmas cheer.
- An Evening Of Cheese takes place on 12 December 2018 from 6pm-9pm. At Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL. Nearest station: London Bridge. Free entry. For more information, visit the Borough Market website.
- Borough Market is open every day during the Christmas period from 5 December until 4pm on Christmas Eve – including Sundays.
Spice up your kitchen reportoire with the ‘Migration of Taste’ cooking demos at Borough Market
Ursula Ferrigno is one of the chefs taking part in the ‘Migration of Taste’ demonstration kitchen at Borough Market this August
London is renowned for having some of the best restaurants in the world. The bustling metropolis is a melting point of different cultures, which is reflected in the wide variety of cuisines on offer in the capital.
Borough Market is celebrating our city’s international flavours this August with a series of cooking demonstrations. Taking place every Thursday lunchtime, visitors can learn how to make a range of exotic dishes from top chefs. ‘Migration of Taste’ explores the market’s status as an international market and how world cuisine can be fused with British influences. Chefs will prepare several dishes in front of the audience, with recipe cards available to take home. Visitors will also be able to sample the culinary delights after they’ve been cooked.
- 2 August : Ursula Ferrigno
The acclaimed food writer and chef trained at the Auguste Escoffier School of the Culinary Arts. Ferrigno was taught to cook as a child by her grandmother in Italy and regularly returns to visit family and to teach cookery. She is passionate about Italian and Mediterranean cuisine and using fresh, natural ingredients.
- 9 August : Norman Musa
Malaysian-born Musa moved to the UK in 1994. After opening his first restaurant in Manchester 12 years ago, he also teaches Malaysian cooking across the UK. He will be showcasing recipes from traditional and contemporary Malaysian cuisine.
- 16 August : Dhruv Baker
The MasterChef 2010 winner has been inspired by his jet-set lifestyle, having lived in Mexico, India, East Africa and Spain. He will be exploring his Mexican food heritage, along with inspiration from European cuisine for his experimental dishes.
- 23 August : Philip Juma
Growing up as an English-Irish-Iraqi, Juma has quite the rich and varied heritage. Using his experiences working in the capital’s contemporary restaurants, he mixes traditional Iraqi dishes with modern cooking techniques.
- 30 August : Zoe Adjonyah
Adjonyah expanded her knowledge of West African cuisine when she visited her extended family in Ghana. She found inspiration in her grandmother’s kitchen and at the Kaneshie street market in Accra. Known for Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, she is looking forward to bringing visitors on a food journey through West African flavours.
- The Migration of Taste Demonstration Kitchen Residency takes place on Thursdays throughout August. From 1pm-2.30pm. Free. At Market Hall, Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL. Nearest station: London Bridge. For more information, visit the Borough Market website.
For a guide to what’s on in London in August, click here.
Find out the history of Borough Market.
Food, fun and frolics at the Feast of St George at Borough Market
Celebrate all things English at Borough Market’s St George’s Day festivities
The capital is a hub for world cultures, but how often do Londoners celebrate home-grown food and traditions? This month, why not head to London’s oldest food market to mark St George’s Day. Taking place a day earlier on Sunday 22 April 2018, Borough Market are hosting a celebration for the Feast of Saint George. Borough Market will be exploring the English and international heritage of St George through an afternoon of food, music, stories and theatre.
Foodies will be spoiled for choice with the market’s traders offering delicious St George’s day food to sample or take home. Choose from the best of English produce, from Colchester oysters and Tamworth pork to Melton Mowbray pies and Cheddar cheese. As St George is also the patron saint of other countries such as Georgia, Ethiopia, Greece, Turkey and Catalonia, expect to see traditional food delicacies from around the world. As St George is the patron saint of butchers and shepherds, chef Luke Mackay and Northfield Farm will be giving free butchery and cooking demonstrations to help you get the most from your meat.
Throughout the day, there will be plenty of family friendly entertainment. Children and adults can enjoy an interactive performance of St George and the Dragon by local theatre group The Lion’s Part. Of course, no St George’s Day celebrations would be complete without maypole dancing. Folk Dance Remixed will be performing a musical merger of traditional steps with hip-hop moves. Visitors will be invited to create ‘wraps ‘n ripples’ and ‘waves ‘n breaks’ around a bespoke 12ft maypole. The Castellers of London will be practising a Catalan tradition of constructing a human tower. Meanwhile, 4-9 year olds can learn about food provenance and the process of farming through games, interactive learning and activities with the National Farmers Union in the Discovery Barn.
As well as the St George’s Day festival, there will also be other foodie events for April’s St George’s Residency in the Borough Market Demo Kitchen. Leonardo Rivera Ruiz, group head chef of Brindisa Kitchens, will be hosting a Catalan cooking demonstration on 12 April. A week later, Alissa Tomoshkina, founder of KinoVino, will be exploring Georgian and Russian cuisine on 19 April.
- The Feast of St George takes place on 22 April 2018 from 12pm-4pm. At Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, Borough, SE1 1TL. Nearest station: London Bridge. For more information, visit the Borough Market website.
There will be plenty of English and international cuisine available to sample or take home
For a guide to what else is on in London in April, click here.
Festive fun, frolics and food as ‘Christmess’ comes to Borough
Santa goes wild at Christmess
When it comes to Christmas, it can often feel like children get the most excitement out of the festive season. However, in the run-up to Yuletide, a festive pop-up is giving us grown-ups the chance for some seasonal fun.
Launching near Borough Market on 15 November for six weeks is Christmess, an opportunity to visit a naughty and anarchistic world featuring St Nicky and his pals. An old Victorian warehouse is being transformed for a new instalment from supper club supremos Slap Ya Papa and artistic collective Marbles & Ware. Guests can check out Mama Claus’ hidden parlour-come-blues room, and a Santa’s Whiskey Grotto. Expect plenty of entertainment with live music, Santa’s little helpers and plenty of Christmas sparkle. Be sure not to miss the Green Fairy granting wishes in the hidden absinthe bar.
Finally, revellers will head to the dining room for a 12 dish lunch or dinner, featuring the likes of Cajun roasted turkey and candied yams. Table etiquette will go out the window with diners encouraged to drink a lot and dance on the tables.
Meanwhile, during the day downstairs will be workshops so you can make your own Christmas presents or decoration, such as floral wreath weaving, beeswax candle making, writing workshops, yoga and life drawing.
- Christmess @ The Imaginarium, Hunter Penrose, 32 Southwark Street, London Bridge, SE1 1TU. Nearest station: London Bridge. Tickets from £55 (dinner). For more information and booking, visit the Christmess website.
For a guide to what else is on in London in December, click here.
Food for thought: Borough Talks with chefs and foodies returns to Borough Market
Brush up on your food knowledge as Borough Talks returns to Borough Market
Calling all London foodies! Returning to the capital’s historic Borough Market this spring/summer is ‘Borough Talks’, a series of after-hours discussions and panels from celebrity chefs and food experts. Names including Michelin-starred chef Pierre Koffman, broadcaster Jay Rayner, cookery writer Claudia Roden and food stylist and writer Olia Hercules will be sharing their experiences of the international food scene.
Keith Davis, managing director, Borough Market, said: ‘As London’s oldest food market, we have always been a place where people come together to connect over food. These talks give us a chance to engage with visitors on a deeper level and discuss the wider topics that impact the food landscape around us. The talks also give people an opportunity to hear from innovators and thought leaders in the industry, up close, in a wonderful, intimate setting.’
Calendar of events
- Tuesday 10 May (7-9pm) : You Are What You Eat: What Shapes Our Food Choices?
A panel discussion about the influence of advertising, design, nostalgia, family traditions and self-images on our culinary choices. Moderated by chef, food writer and author Sybil Kapoor, the panel will include Bee Wilson, food writer and historian; Olia Hercules, author of the acclaimed book Mamushka; award-winning food photographer Patrice De Villiers and Michelin-starred chef James Lowe of Lyle’s Shoreditch fame.
- Tuesday 7 June (7-9pm) : The Secrets Of A Successful Food Start-up
Get exclusive tips and tricks about how to start the next big culinary sensation from some of the industry’s most successful food entrepreneurs. Panellists Jenny Costa, founder of Rubies in the Rubble; Bonnie Chung, founder of Miso Tasty, former food blogger and secret supper club pioneer; Jordan Frieda, co-owner of London restaurants Trullo and Padella and Claire Ptak, owner of east London bakery Violet, will talk about what it takes to create a successful food business in modern Britain.
- Tuesday 14 June & Tuesday 28 June (7-9pm) : In Conversation
14 June: Cookbook writer and cultural anthropologist Claudia Roden will sit down with Boyd Tonkin, senior writer at The Independent, to give the audience a glimpse into her life as a pioneering food writer, and the role she has played in revolutionising Western attitudes towards other cuisines.
28 June: Michelin-starred chef Pierre Koffmann will share stories from his 50 years working in the industry with Bloomberg’s chief food critic, Richard Vines. Audiences will get a taste of Koffmann’s life as a young chef in Strasbourg and Toulon before he went on to open La Tante Claire, launching his meteoric career in London.
- Tuesday 5 July (7-9pm) : Coming Together: Can Food Be A Force For Change?
A debate on the role of food as a catalyst for social change. Tristram Stuart, campaigner, author and founder of Feedback will be joined by Rosie Boycott, Chair of the London Food Board and food advisor to the Mayor of London, Arthur Kay, designer, entrepreneur and founder of Bio-bean, and Roberta Siao, the Brazilian chef who oversees pop-up restaurant and social enterprise Mazi Mas. Questions will focus on whether a shared love of food can transform lives and regenerate communities.
- Tuesday 20 September (7-9pm) : Pariahs To Pioneers: The Changing Face Of British Food
Renowned restaurant critic and author Jay Rayner will discuss how British food has evolved with Isaac McHale, chef owner of The Clove Club. Moderated by writer, broadcaster and restaurateur Tim Hayward, the panel will also include Executive Chair of Slow Food UK, Shane Holland and award winning author and Fortnum & Mason food writer of the year, Sybil Kapoor. Find out how Britain went from its famed bad cooking to being one of the world’s most open, exciting and innovative sources of good food.
- Borough Talks events will place in the heart of Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, Borough, SE1 1TL. Nearest station: London Bridge. Tickets: £15 (include wine and food from market traders). Book in advance via the Borough Market website.
For the history of Borough Market, click here.
British Museum Of Food: A treat for foodies as you explore the history and art of grub
The British Museum of Food opens in October at Borough Market for three months
© Jo Duck for Bompas & Parr
London is home to some of the top restaurants and chefs in the world. We’re able to travel around the world through our culinary choices without leaving the kitchen table. With our love of good food, it makes sense that the capital is the location for a new museum of food.
This October, foodies can rejoice as the world’s first museum dedicated to food is coming to London. Food and drink wizards Bompas & Parr are launching a cultural institution celebrating the history, evolution, science, sociology and art of food.
Initially opening for three months from 23 October, the British Museum Of Food will be based at Borough Market while it seeks a more permanent home. Bompas & Parr will be collaborating with the managers, trustees and traders from nearby Borough Market on the museum, which will span two floors. The new museum will both educate and entertain visitors about food and drink in B&P’s signature quirky and disruptive style.
Visitors will explore the most exciting elements of food through the museum’s exhibits and experiences. There will be plenty of ‘food for thought’ as guests are encouraged to consider what they are putting in their bodies and think about nutrition and health.
The museum is a new project from food wizards Bompas & Parr
© Nathan Pask for Bompas & Parr
Among the exhibits in the initial opening will include:
– Be the Bolus: the Peristalsis Experience
An immersive digital journey into the body, following the path of food along the alimentary canal from the mouth, into the stomach and intestines, using footage obtained working with consultant gastronenterologist Dr Simon Anderson.
– Choco-Phonica
A sonic wonderland focused on chocolate where visitors are asked to experience taste against the medium of sound, curated in collaboration with Space Doctors and Nathanael Williams Music with the advice of multi-sensory scientists.
– The British Menu Archive
A selection of historical and beautiful menus, normally an ephemeral part of food culture but actually a revealing historical resource.
– The Butterfly Effect
A walk-through tropical butterfly experience that tells the story of the unsung heroes of pollination in the context of global food security concerns.
– Atelier of Flavour
A gallery showcase of food as art, with a focus on how different artists have used unusual materials to represent the English Breakfast.
Harry Parr, partner of Bompas & Parr and a founder trustee of the museum, said: ’Around the world there are various museums devoted to specific items of food and drink, such as herrings and absinthe, but nowhere has an institution been created that seeks to embrace this crucial part of human existence. This has long been an aspiration of the studio and were delighted to have been able to assemble a stellar cast to help us bring this to life. And where better than the spiritual home of London’s food culture?’
- British Museum Of Food, One Cathedral Street, Borough Market, SE1 9DE. Nearest station: London Bridge. Open Wed-Fri 12-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Tickets: Adults £5, Children £4. The museum will open for three months from 23 October 2015. For more information, visit the British Museum Of Food website.
For a guide to what else is on in London in December, click here.
To find out about Bompas & Parr’s Alcoholic Architecture experience, click here.
Memoirs Of A Metro Girl 