Why A Market Affair?
The market is an inspirational place for me. Walking past the beautiful displays of fruits and vegetables, new ideas run through my mind. It’s not unusual to stumble upon new ingredients. Recently, I discovered Crosne - odd shaped Japanese artichokes. Last month it was a new super fruit melon from the Amazon. Although I like to support the local businesses and farmers, it is amazing to find exotic produce from around the world at a London market. One of the beautiful things about living in this city is that you can find just about anything from anywhere. Fejoas from New Zealand? Yes, they are regularly at ‘Turnips’ in Borough Market and if you have never tried one it’s a must. I often end up swapping around components of a dish when I find something exciting to use at a market. Most importantly, anytime I discover something new I ‘buy and try it’.
Markets and farmer’s markets sell seasonal produce, fresh British seafood and meats, artisanal products and tasty treats to snack on while you shop! Yes, the French make fantastic cheeses, but I’m always amazed at the variety and flavours of all the British cheeses. In fact, in 2016 Britain produced 250 more varieties of cheese than France. Another benefit is that fruits and vegetables tend to be fresher at markets and there is a greater selection of organic produce. In supermarkets it takes days before the produce reaches the shelves, while at a farmer’s market it was probably picked the day before or that morning.
In my experience, you lose that important relationship with ingredients and suppliers when you’re working for big companies and ordering directly from your suppliers over the phone or through a computer system. Often you speak on the phone each day giving your order to someone you know by name, but have never met. A friendly chat to find out what’s new and in season, but sometimes they don’t know because they are at a desk all day taking orders. I prefer going to the source myself and putting a face to a name, having a direct conversation and being able to see, touch and hand select the ingredients. This takes more effort and realistically many businesses don't have time to do this, but this hands on relationship with food is important to me. It’s for this reason I have created my own business to focus on small dinner parties and events that will allow me to maintain my ‘Market Affair’.
When selecting my ingredients I can make sure I get the right size, quantity and ripeness. How many avocados do you find have ‘ripe and ready’ stickers on them that are not ready for another week? By selecting a more accurate quantity I am reducing potential waste. I am not forced to buy a package of two avocados if I only need one. Sadly, a report from Parliament recently stated that the U.K is producing 10 million tons of food waste annually and even more distressing is that around 60% can be easily avoided. I was surprised to read in a WRAP report that 71% of the U.K.’s food waste comes from households while only 9% came from the food and hospitality industries. Luckily there seems to be more awareness on the issue and great organisations such as the Felix project, reducing food waste and feeding some of those less fortunate in London.
Often I find myself asking ‘why do many vegetable suppliers sell aubergines individually wrapped in plastic?’. How many times do you put groceries away from the supermarket and realise that your bin is full of packaging you’ve removed from your produce? The U.K. has been shipping up to 500,000 tons of plastic per year to China for recycling, which recently has been banned. So why are we wrapping bananas in plastic? They have their own natural packaging! On a positive note, I have encountered some vegetable suppliers that are now taking back boxes and containers from restaurants and catering companies to reuse. From my side, when I go to the markets I always shop with my own bags and avoid plastic and other waste as much as possible. I also shop at Hetu - a zero waste store in Clapham; where I bring my own containers and purchase organic dry goods and cleaning products sold in bulk. Less waste and less plastic means a better environment and future for us all.
Inspiration, seasonality, freshness, local farmers and businesses, reducing food and packaging waste and building relationships are the core reasons for my Market Affair. I became a chef to do what I love which is cooking, but it doesn’t end there. Cooking begins from the moment I gather my ingredients and ends at the moment my guests finish their meals. For me, the most important part of that journey is the beginning when I gather my components. My market experience and the quality ingredients I select translate onto the plate and then to the guest.
Let's do our best and remember to consider where our food comes from, how we buy it, how we treat it, and try not to waste it!
Related articles and sources:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimberly-snyder/farmers-market_b_1118572.html
https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/farmers-market/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/britain-now-a-bigger-cheese-than-france-j3vdn8s6g
http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/Estimates_%20in_the_UK_Jan17.pdf
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmenvfru/429/429.pdf
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42455378