interview: victoria, the london street foodie

Victoria Stewart is a London-based food editor at the London Evening Standard who realised , in 2011, that walking around London, finding street food was her thing. She then decided to start a blog on her favourite new activity, londonstreetfoodie.co.uk.

“I started London Street Foodie for two reasons, first, I had started to notice all these amazing new traders (lots were then at eat.st which is now Kerb) and I wanted to tell their stories and for people to know about their food. Also because my friends were always asking me where they could take people on a date where the food wasn't expensive but was still fun and worth eating. This fit the bill because there was good, cheap food and part of the excitement was trying to find it”.

Victoria influences street food fans around the world and reveals the best places to get the best hot dogs in London through her blog, which is why I got interested and wanted to know more.

Sneakie: How did street food become part of your lifestyle?

Victoria: I remember going to a private event at a space on Brick Lane and chatting to Abiye Cole who was one of traders there running his business, Big Apple Hot Dogs. We could have talked for hours about what he did, and how he started out. I guess after that I just got addicted to meeting these people, trying their food, and going off in search of new ones every weekend. Some of the traders have since become really good friends of mine, not only because they're good fun, but because I admire them. I don't go quite as often now as I did when I started, because it took over my life for a bit, but trundling off to a street food market - either with a plan of where to eat in mind, or on a pot luck basis - is still one of my all-time favourite things to do.

S: What do you like about eating on the street / street food?

V: I love that it's democratic - anyone can try it; I like seeking out the really good stuff and sharing it with friends who have come with me; and I love the adventure, and the fact that finding new traders can take me on journeys across the city. I've gone to so many parts of London, and all around the world, which I'd never have thought to visit had there not been some sort of market or van there. It's mad really.

S: What is your favourite food market?

V: Hard question. It totally depends on my mood. I've just moved to Brixton so I'm enjoying trying everything at the weekend Brixton Station Market which is five minutes' walk from my house. When I lived east, I loved Broadway Market, and still go there when I have time. Borough Market is crazy, but still brilliant, as are the Street Feast events for different reasons. I'd go to one of those for lots to eat and a party, too. Meanwhile I think Brockley and Wapping markets - run by the same guy - are still the best examples of how to do a market serving fresh produce to the local community and hot food for people on the move.

S: What is so unique about London street food markets?

V: They're not pretentious or in your face. People just sort of turn up and get on with things, and do them really well. Much of the food available is made and produced very locally now, which means I think you have much more of a connection to the food you're eating when you're at a street food market in London. Going to some big event in the middle of nowhere, or a shop, doesn't have the same buzz.

S: What do you think of street culture in general?

V: I like it in general. I mean, coming home on a night bus through Shoreditch isn't ideal as everyone's milling about all over the streets. But I love that feeling that you're all in something together, enjoying yourselves. I think we need more public spaces, as you'd get in Italy, France or Spain, because that's where the fun happens. We're getting better at those now, and Kings Cross' Granary Square is a good example. Or in Brazil, for example, where I visited last month, they all hosted these huge blocas - street parties - as a warm up for Carnival, and it was like one long party. We have a way to go, but we're getting better I think.

S: Are you into streetwear fashion? What is your typical outfit to go food market hunting?

V: I'm not a follower of it, as such, but my typical street food eating gear is a pair of jeans, my brown leather riding boots or white trainers, with a baggy jumper. If it's cold, I'll always have a hat, and will bring fingerless gloves so I can eat and stay warm! Apparently I also have a 'street food jacket' which I wear a lot out - it's a vintage one with green and red tartan stripes and yellow French horns all over it. It's my favourite jacket.

Check out her blog: londonstreetfoodie.co.uk

Picture: © londonstreetfoodie.co.uk

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