MAGAZINE

One of the main – of the many, many – advantages of street food has always been its versatility. And while it has always been an obvious champion in sports and leisure catering – and grew to even bigger prominence generally during the pandemic, due to a preference for outdoor eating on disposable dishes – it could be about to become even bigger deal in B&I. As Greg Bamwell of BaxterStorey tells us in this month’s Foodservice forum (see page 24): “In a post-Covid world, the demand for authentic street food has grown hugely.”

So, why is this? Well, with some customers still being reluctant to return to the workplace, exciting and innovative street food offers, that also provide an element of theatre, can be used as one way to encourage them. Then add to this the fact that you can provide them with a taste of life abroad that many have been missing for two years or so, while also helping to fulfil the increased desire to support traders from local communities.

If that weren’t enough insight, we also have a whole feature centred on streets eats on page 42, while a certain event will finally be returning this month. The fourth edition of our StrEATFood Awards will be held on 29th September and it has been designed to be as Covid-safe as possible (page 48). If you would like to attend, please go to www.streatfoodawards.co.uk to register – we would love to finally catch up with as many old friends and colleagues as possible.