tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74966570204320970512024-01-01T19:31:45.608+00:00CHOC STARVisit the main Choc Star site <a href="http://www.chocstar.co.uk">here</a>.Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-32158872054765907812011-11-21T13:09:00.001+00:002011-11-24T00:14:28.421+00:00Bye Bye Jimmy...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKoobZLHi1vm8BeqF6pUesB42IzWqOkfeoIU51OhYivs3R8HwBY98nAMQWbQ9zi-staijRJIPhDSJi0wQtK99O83Ku6NWIsvc-MVpwyqKd8h9BtwWzsugB3h9Xg0h7MZN2GlOI_hVrLM/s1600/IMG_1816.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKoobZLHi1vm8BeqF6pUesB42IzWqOkfeoIU51OhYivs3R8HwBY98nAMQWbQ9zi-staijRJIPhDSJi0wQtK99O83Ku6NWIsvc-MVpwyqKd8h9BtwWzsugB3h9Xg0h7MZN2GlOI_hVrLM/s400/IMG_1816.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678117574348858642" border="0" /></a><br />Wow. That was a long gap between blog posts. And meanwhile, so many things have been happening - not all of them to do with choc.<br /><br />I handed Choc Star over to Shrimp & Ben for the summer who took it all over the place, serving up the brown stuff at festivals, parties, markets and film sets. Then they handed the van back and I welcomed him with open arms. It was strange not being at the helm this summer, but more than that it was strange not having all of those chance encounters at the counter. This is the magic of the choc-mobile and which has kept me hooked all these years - it's the opportunity to act as a window into so many different worlds, and to meet all those new smiling, choc-loving people.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXWuW2_fZKwhBsopBQgUJo-OcD8B1dutDklRHNHaL86VwzGtfWhcWZxX2G2XnqYYZFePhrBQXRhAXR3nilrwq1YJUaBLdf7Dk39CAgtZDwpPIv_mJASVG9YTRkTuHMFSK93bJweRxcQ4/s1600/IMG_1999.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXWuW2_fZKwhBsopBQgUJo-OcD8B1dutDklRHNHaL86VwzGtfWhcWZxX2G2XnqYYZFePhrBQXRhAXR3nilrwq1YJUaBLdf7Dk39CAgtZDwpPIv_mJASVG9YTRkTuHMFSK93bJweRxcQ4/s400/IMG_1999.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678117586100381874" border="0" /></a><br />There I was this summer, putting a load of extra time into the growth of eat.st, and that meant a whole lot more computer time than I'm used to. The abstract world...electronic communication, copying people in. As soon as I got back in the van it was like a surge of relief as I returned to the primal pleasures of serving someone what they've asked for, receiving the cash, having a chat and then waving them on their way. So simple yet so good.<br /><br />Now, as I juggle my Masters with running <a href="http://eat.st/">eat.st</a>, Choc Star has taken on more of a hobby-like role. I take Jimmy out about once or twice a week - either a private booking or an event or <a href="http://www.eat.st/kings-cross/">King's Cross</a> - and after all that abstraction it's like being on holiday when in Jimmy. Something so calming about the mechanics of operating that van. Physical processes, immediate transactions, lots of treats, out in the open air slinging away with the best of them.<br /><br />But now, each time I steer that old rascal around town, I'm drinking it in, knowing that our time is fading. Yes friends, Jimmy is about to be put out to pasture. Or, put another way, the new Low Emission Zone looms on 3rd January and he ain't going to pass it. So off he'll go to the countryside, never to be seen within the M25 again...except as signage:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhpAU9eYfLr5e3wATn0a9urqDWPVLFTOFh8HKYb7W10jPbNMQbFcbdXuyAHh3d03qvggPqennnrg1EcMpnU0V2hSgmGYNCWPRWowit8WB37fcZDTWK1J_4ErTh4OxRXgjtXaz84aFvj4/s1600/IMAG0077.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhpAU9eYfLr5e3wATn0a9urqDWPVLFTOFh8HKYb7W10jPbNMQbFcbdXuyAHh3d03qvggPqennnrg1EcMpnU0V2hSgmGYNCWPRWowit8WB37fcZDTWK1J_4ErTh4OxRXgjtXaz84aFvj4/s400/IMAG0077.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678347833796325570" border="0" /></a><br />So all of you who have enjoyed your time at the van these past six years, come and find us before Choc Star in this particular guise is no more. We'll be at the Chocolate Festival 9-11 December, King's Cross 25th November and 16th December and the Real Food Market 17th-18th December (see links to the right of this page).<br /><br />Then off he'll go, to pastures new and I shall knuckle down to completing my Masters and ploughing forward with <a href="http://www.eat.st/traders/trader-team.php">driving British street food forward</a>.<br /><br />Play in Choc Star will be suspended until further notice.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3jn4Fy-fhcpP_6-SflzKtn_8XGOhDbSqnCIM91b1Z7lhEwtdm93gKzyXPWZlrJmtlgsxsdUmK_ZXPfoBtoPKg1i7-YL0UR3CGvOLhu8ATWURD9M2MiM2qecFpJ1us3ds9BssLQ8N44I/s1600/IMAG0295.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3jn4Fy-fhcpP_6-SflzKtn_8XGOhDbSqnCIM91b1Z7lhEwtdm93gKzyXPWZlrJmtlgsxsdUmK_ZXPfoBtoPKg1i7-YL0UR3CGvOLhu8ATWURD9M2MiM2qecFpJ1us3ds9BssLQ8N44I/s400/IMAG0295.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678346029562896370" border="0" /></a><br />But I'll be putting Jimmy - the van - up for sale. Get in touch if you'd like to start your very own food biz on wheels and you think Jimmy could be the one for you. He's a great motor, can travel the length and breadth of this nation and is ready for the next chapter of his rich and interesting life.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Email: feedme@chocstar.co.uk</span><br /><br />The end of my adventure in this van, could be the beginning of yours...what a brilliant time I've had being on the road in the choc-mobile.Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-88455817144122126312011-06-12T19:57:00.002+01:002011-06-12T20:09:44.748+01:00Me and You and Yours<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jyuPu18s3hk7eZ9JLNpKlP54nIpZPS01eBDA9xnXb0PZbbkuyKnnWi1KnHWuocK5LTUlB7Hb-pfWh02hcR9wmDOLr7z2CAhmUTaj3hWs10DVXbOEBCgyg9VlWkwnE4u2Qgtx0x8LOGM/s1600/bbc-radio-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jyuPu18s3hk7eZ9JLNpKlP54nIpZPS01eBDA9xnXb0PZbbkuyKnnWi1KnHWuocK5LTUlB7Hb-pfWh02hcR9wmDOLr7z2CAhmUTaj3hWs10DVXbOEBCgyg9VlWkwnE4u2Qgtx0x8LOGM/s400/bbc-radio-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617412352372168978" border="0" /></a><br />Whilst at <a href="http://britishstreetfood.co.uk/me/">Richard Johnson</a>'s book launch for his new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=british+street+food+revolution&x=0&y=0">Street Food Revolution</a> last week, I was interviewed (along with <a href="http://www.streetfoodkolkata.com/">Angus</a> and <a href="http://lagrottaices.tumblr.com/">Kitty</a>) by Radio 4. They wanted to know why I thought this shift in mobile outdoor eating was taking place. I waxed long and lyrical on the subject (as it is pretty <a href="http://eatstreetblog.wordpress.com/">close to my heart</a>) and a little tiny bit was used.<br /><br />Good for the Beeb getting to grips with the movement.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011pppk/You_and_Yours_10_06_2011/">Here it is</a>. (Skip to around 40 mins in for a listen).Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-65387129452489299452011-06-02T19:13:00.005+01:002011-06-02T20:34:15.777+01:00The Change-Over...So the day has finally arrived. After many amazing sounding applicants for job of Choc Star manager, I came upon this pair. Presenting: Shrimp & Ben!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSayotSfyviXfv3HhRgKmcKLCbPAstGILPBdjfPuQJ2FDtzH5hr5Ki3duYgj7EGk3f5RBvpV0IzBAN7kADpLgC1qzRJuL-sRN7yIgcjyWo0DjCE9gUq0DPAx0Ns5o9GJLHOHBjv719vv8/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSayotSfyviXfv3HhRgKmcKLCbPAstGILPBdjfPuQJ2FDtzH5hr5Ki3duYgj7EGk3f5RBvpV0IzBAN7kADpLgC1qzRJuL-sRN7yIgcjyWo0DjCE9gUq0DPAx0Ns5o9GJLHOHBjv719vv8/s400/IMG_0418.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613696507191737810" border="0" /></a>Both were wilting in their office jobs and longing to get to grips with the Choc Star world. It's really physical, LONG hours, no weekends off, I kept telling them. <span style="font-style: italic;">We're so ready</span>, they said. <span style="font-style: italic;">We want to get stuck in!</span><br /><br />Until I starting putting the word out there for a replacement so I could get on and pursue other things, there was one thing about doing Choc Star that had never occurred to me. Yes, it's knackering, yes, you've got to be really on it to do it and yes, you are working while most other people are playing. But there is one thing that has never happened to me once in the van - and that is grappling with the desire for the clock to hurry up until home time. It just isn't like that. The rhythm is different all the time, the punters are often different and the day passes in a blur of nice chats, chocolate offerings, neon lights and music.<br /><br />I'll miss this. But I'm truly excited that while I am ready to move on, two others are ready to step in. Shrimp and Ben are a delight already - do stop by and say hello if you're near.<br /><br />Jimmy will be on the <a href="http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/">Southbank</a> as part of the street food section of the <a href="http://www.realfoodfestival.co.uk/markets">Real Food Market</a> by the Royal Festival Hall, Fridays-Sundays most weekends (but check the blog for more specific details).<br /><br />Hope to see some of you there at some point - we're under the new industrial commemorative staircase, down form the Hayward Gallery.<br /><br />For now, here are a few snaps of what we've been up to lately (apologies for the yawning gap between posts - life has been mental).<br /><br />Book launch of Richard Johnson's <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Street-Food-Revolution-Inspiring-recipes/dp/0857830007/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307041852&sr=8-1">Street Food Revolution</a> - this old boy was a devil for the choc!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK_eF-EEt0Ae_5bEhTLCgkH4GjPclsm9H43xxTocxZjd_VtfTJhMZgtqVQ8aQqG9v4LUdugKZIVillYH3t2pWzjUOuzVwDv-Huo7jVqpRUb5FVSVBIubgB4PTRAltj9ShuG3pnhj_cRY/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK_eF-EEt0Ae_5bEhTLCgkH4GjPclsm9H43xxTocxZjd_VtfTJhMZgtqVQ8aQqG9v4LUdugKZIVillYH3t2pWzjUOuzVwDv-Huo7jVqpRUb5FVSVBIubgB4PTRAltj9ShuG3pnhj_cRY/s400/IMG_0453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613696505709828802" border="0" /></a>Cast and crew for Ridley Scott's prequel to Alien. Charlize Theron wanted to give them all a treat so we hot-footed it over to Pinewood. (Sadly no pics of CT scooping in the van).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKFFvRDFMIGeRMpitHbxvSN1WSOCe-5qCXVg2RcSTO1T7QDpzpUjV2p64sjai3ruz7l5WrwkTZdhAKOHdrf331NmdAszvxjzjT_OQ2M8Hm_tyOdxDmMr-RMyan80JokbEzeMCpd0E9Jk/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKFFvRDFMIGeRMpitHbxvSN1WSOCe-5qCXVg2RcSTO1T7QDpzpUjV2p64sjai3ruz7l5WrwkTZdhAKOHdrf331NmdAszvxjzjT_OQ2M8Hm_tyOdxDmMr-RMyan80JokbEzeMCpd0E9Jk/s400/IMG_0329.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613693063725270834" border="0" /></a>A wedding in Somerset - this guest loved Jimmy so much he was behind that counter faster than all hell. I hit the dance floor while I had the chance....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BZbjSg5T0zZeGWYpws26DsUf-VIa-EFfEcg5nLGIqFDQDFv3OqIgE0RSUbieTCvlR4PlqocexsmStMyUvtiunZajhhZYbVXuKnbptGvVJINj9xTao9yXBjZ-VAk3kAqGiXrQ1k0YmjU/s1600/IMG_0381.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BZbjSg5T0zZeGWYpws26DsUf-VIa-EFfEcg5nLGIqFDQDFv3OqIgE0RSUbieTCvlR4PlqocexsmStMyUvtiunZajhhZYbVXuKnbptGvVJINj9xTao9yXBjZ-VAk3kAqGiXrQ1k0YmjU/s400/IMG_0381.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613693062160085154" border="0" /></a>Some of my Friday regulars on the Southbank. These two are hilarious and demons for the shakes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yLn3t0D4WXlm9-UIxgT6kRsKoORl0n_p9FPmdNtFZo7Wg6lN84baES-sUzwUxL5pqwONacTDLi7XkVnGULVte9ECMVpwbS6rVBjALvwGJGcs4LdNqnT1GnbFCSWIVrZfo2h57VMA5nQ/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yLn3t0D4WXlm9-UIxgT6kRsKoORl0n_p9FPmdNtFZo7Wg6lN84baES-sUzwUxL5pqwONacTDLi7XkVnGULVte9ECMVpwbS6rVBjALvwGJGcs4LdNqnT1GnbFCSWIVrZfo2h57VMA5nQ/s400/IMG_0279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613693053034581970" border="0" /></a>Under the new stairs for the <a href="http://ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk/visitor-info/festival-of-britain">Festival of Britain</a> celebrations. It's becoming a real chow and hang zone...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPbynLT5Z-av1YtQtY4LzMIvLC2Y0C_t254v67EJr4XnlEozbNLTIN4iLFE4t3gpDWFClF6UXEZ65bosKUdU2-ekuutg_SOJKGF95x40iVMOYaLLWtdljyR7suDTxGMv0lvFvcPc2UmE/s1600/IMG_0302.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPbynLT5Z-av1YtQtY4LzMIvLC2Y0C_t254v67EJr4XnlEozbNLTIN4iLFE4t3gpDWFClF6UXEZ65bosKUdU2-ekuutg_SOJKGF95x40iVMOYaLLWtdljyR7suDTxGMv0lvFvcPc2UmE/s400/IMG_0302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613693045652481554" border="0" /></a>Another wedding down in the countryside. We take in large lungfuls of sweet, balmy air while we can - suck it up and save it for London.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBlODlkpXTAKq3aqCaP_z4zcUHggYVISudA4cjRKKTu-NidthEi_hPmqX4_XeRXACnoLIqZJzFe95SaDArt-0ZFQwaFtHuuCGSBSXt8btoDC0zQVOckaQeSnlRLNdFknCxl_pjU8BXFo/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBlODlkpXTAKq3aqCaP_z4zcUHggYVISudA4cjRKKTu-NidthEi_hPmqX4_XeRXACnoLIqZJzFe95SaDArt-0ZFQwaFtHuuCGSBSXt8btoDC0zQVOckaQeSnlRLNdFknCxl_pjU8BXFo/s400/IMG_0386.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613693071461602930" border="0" /></a>Two of our most regular customers - <a href="http://i-heart-cupcakes.blogspot.com/">Anne</a> and Manny. She likes cupcakes, he likes death metal. Always a pleasure to see.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRPZdB-l6TadJbe0wmSLfRMNn9njd52bPV6srKdQTU0sdrbLFB0ufZninZC9PgP0sollNT90_602HSXmxfAHJN1jS5bcnHs9GOw0f6aOq0f9eIXTJIRCxeuP_fRvQSmdwawRU1vhu6ts/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRPZdB-l6TadJbe0wmSLfRMNn9njd52bPV6srKdQTU0sdrbLFB0ufZninZC9PgP0sollNT90_602HSXmxfAHJN1jS5bcnHs9GOw0f6aOq0f9eIXTJIRCxeuP_fRvQSmdwawRU1vhu6ts/s400/IMG_0233.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613689841531477730" border="0" /></a>By the bandstand for the <a href="http://eatstreetblog.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/eat-st-crew-at-large-for-the-royal-wedding/">Royal Street Food Festival </a>that <a href="http://www.eat.st/">eat.st</a> showed out for. Great group of traders, we had a ball.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRFsZt8Zsb-RI0o8rtDaGxabgSKTfhVa-Ei6XT0ZYEsq4rDmyPDxA57XZrKljYbRHJJly37jyxLct2khJkFLPIRSF5UiOitlxToHQjsuJqQyMvdnIVKmp2T303n9-ydMJ_44uFZsfsgI/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRFsZt8Zsb-RI0o8rtDaGxabgSKTfhVa-Ei6XT0ZYEsq4rDmyPDxA57XZrKljYbRHJJly37jyxLct2khJkFLPIRSF5UiOitlxToHQjsuJqQyMvdnIVKmp2T303n9-ydMJ_44uFZsfsgI/s400/IMG_0086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613707577389708498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4n13nAQFMXYPDyu0IP53ZcN0H-TzhlVKub3s9vvLebYi_Io4boDqkGgspyz8_E30hcqMtP092MDbj6S6I0jmoTixLTrFollmI6gqnmERZmW_M0BovsY8_FfdghO_lA0pnKfd-qvNu5M/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG"><br /></a>Another <a href="http://se13ure.wordpress.com/">choc fiend</a>...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGOaDxrpxO5X7lwBqouux064fBBVWHBT2fpZnhikCbO0aIrFIqfgtLqUgF8_ifP5KYhUFb1MMlZfro1CDr43Srn2Dewcmc3kCJR8Kc7nCzYkpv-XBRrNBdhmAy3RYSWn2obEUw1LSIDc/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGOaDxrpxO5X7lwBqouux064fBBVWHBT2fpZnhikCbO0aIrFIqfgtLqUgF8_ifP5KYhUFb1MMlZfro1CDr43Srn2Dewcmc3kCJR8Kc7nCzYkpv-XBRrNBdhmAy3RYSWn2obEUw1LSIDc/s400/IMG_0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613689831426157042" border="0" /></a>And here is Jimmy nuzzling up to The Rye as part of the <a href="http://eatstreetblog.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/16days/">#<em></em>16days event</a> that eat.st and The Meatwagon put on. Peckham, we love you!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1NXJwA_t95O2tnGYyiZlgKcFuqVgDNsLasXldnpsJ9oeI7U17DpBAG5rQK_a61e_mH6Tfiqy7BUHY8dW5XCdDRElSL_4eg5dMFRS3eWp0AXzFmmoqwB2KNXfl4NQflYSSBYZo_Opiw0/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1NXJwA_t95O2tnGYyiZlgKcFuqVgDNsLasXldnpsJ9oeI7U17DpBAG5rQK_a61e_mH6Tfiqy7BUHY8dW5XCdDRElSL_4eg5dMFRS3eWp0AXzFmmoqwB2KNXfl4NQflYSSBYZo_Opiw0/s400/IMG_0267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613689851940182866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt66zOHvW_hOrFCIMmibmnrATp6hvoQValrDLmkLoEzSzjePhRCo7oZnzoAqUBx6Ob76pAdK3ZTOYFEE_s2l18xBw92jOmSZJ1-eFvFqYhqZCf9c54mfIK76Rf44hKXJtsW0meOLwarp8/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt66zOHvW_hOrFCIMmibmnrATp6hvoQValrDLmkLoEzSzjePhRCo7oZnzoAqUBx6Ob76pAdK3ZTOYFEE_s2l18xBw92jOmSZJ1-eFvFqYhqZCf9c54mfIK76Rf44hKXJtsW0meOLwarp8/s400/IMG_0273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613689824081707922" border="0" /></a>More soon. Enjoy the sun y'all!Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-88340858116858420442011-03-18T12:47:00.005+00:002011-03-18T13:04:47.104+00:00Could it be you?Hey all - know a great person to fill my boots?<br /><br /> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Courier New"; }@font-face { font-family: "Wingdings"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }ol { margin-bottom: 0cm; }ul { margin-bottom: 0cm; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;">FULL-TIME SUPER-STAR MANAGER NEEDED FOR THE CHOC STAR VAN</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;">Switch things up this summer and see what life is like at the wheel of a choc-mobile!</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></b></p> <div> </div><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: 36pt; text-align: center;font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJcxkGkV0zxitdivKmXdnEt4KqU8GMsBm4CR6LbGFA6VDxrfBM9vC27dZ9UpABexo0MHx6gBNglQG8o8V1lbNTWRM_E4VOyWuU9FiIwHqgt8F946nQQSStoEVNKRbN4jqmS4K5Ll7VXU/s1600/IMG_3695.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJcxkGkV0zxitdivKmXdnEt4KqU8GMsBm4CR6LbGFA6VDxrfBM9vC27dZ9UpABexo0MHx6gBNglQG8o8V1lbNTWRM_E4VOyWuU9FiIwHqgt8F946nQQSStoEVNKRbN4jqmS4K5Ll7VXU/s400/IMG_3695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585402003532042386" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" face="arial" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: 36pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" face="arial" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: 36pt; text-align: center;"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></b><i style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;">April/May – September <b style="">(and beyond if the right person found)</b></span></i><u><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></u></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: 36pt; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size:10pt;">Must be 25 or over</span></u><span style="font-size:10pt;"> (for insurance purposes)</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: 36pt; text-align: center;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style=""> </span>Good salary – to discuss at interview.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Choc Star, <b style="">Britain’s one and only chocolate van</b>, needs a new shaker, baker and foot behind the pedal.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">I have been running the business for the last five years and it’s been <b style="">one hell of a ride</b>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">In this time I have driven ‘Jimmy’ all over Britain, taking him to <b style="">festivals, weddings, parties, fetes, markets, film sets, TV studios</b>….all in the name of spreading the good word of CHOCOLATE.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:10pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsBrpg2gJAhsfIxV96VGglhKo7KZSIFvLqK8BEkjNCaZGae9IQ1lft3w2dYSAKBOm77_BTV_HGe1-eCRPTR5YJaZuhWNV4koZEb3tQuMrg6xqyZ48LzC94dGWvxiFJIiJ2luPcKDv_1E/s1600/DSC00549.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsBrpg2gJAhsfIxV96VGglhKo7KZSIFvLqK8BEkjNCaZGae9IQ1lft3w2dYSAKBOm77_BTV_HGe1-eCRPTR5YJaZuhWNV4koZEb3tQuMrg6xqyZ48LzC94dGWvxiFJIiJ2luPcKDv_1E/s400/DSC00549.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585402657771745618" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;">The delightful combination of chocolate + travels has won us fans far and wide</span></b><span style="font-size:10pt;"> – from the national media (<i style="">C4, Vogue, The Times, Telegraph, Guardian, TimeOut, Delicious, Olive, House & Garden</i>), to random passers-by. People from all walks of life come up to the counter and we make it our business to send them on their way with delicious treats and a smile on their face.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:10pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7xDf9NPKcAuDhbHHVwIaXSQdRpYJPGZoX-5DomWDi7ovHnPeHpV4usPhaheHxXwA6PV2yBKDpthaXarkur92oRFn9LADdsoBgV4zPSsLjkm8vGsNi5UWlXuCAotT3UunQeTF26C1XcY/s1600/IMG_3754.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7xDf9NPKcAuDhbHHVwIaXSQdRpYJPGZoX-5DomWDi7ovHnPeHpV4usPhaheHxXwA6PV2yBKDpthaXarkur92oRFn9LADdsoBgV4zPSsLjkm8vGsNi5UWlXuCAotT3UunQeTF26C1XcY/s400/IMG_3754.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585402006084511330" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">As I continue studying for my Masters and pursuing the wider British street food cause <b style="">I now need a fantastic person to hand the reins over to.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><b style=""><br /></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><b style=""><u><span style="font-size:10pt;">COULD THIS BE THE CHANGE YOU’RE LOOKING FOR??</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><b style=""><u><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;">JOB ROLE INCLUDES:</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Lots of travel * <i style="">Lots of driving</i> * Preparation of van treats – from milkshakes to sundaes to hot chocolates to truffles * <i style="">Lots of ice cream scooping</i> * <b style="">Being GREAT with people</b> (Customers and events organisers especially) * Baking (and/or organising of baking) * Event negotiations * Staffing jobs * Stock ordering/taking * Tweeting * <b style="">Working at weekends</b> *…and being an all-round ambassador for Choc Star which believes in:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -18pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;">Fun</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -18pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;">Adventure</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -18pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;">Indulgence</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -18pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;">Independence</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -18pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -18pt;font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:10pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -18pt; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIymhawpkxyCddf_wLAUGU-WZNuxJa4IvGAHXzs_KiCQTi6C6Z7QW9zwG_X0XxtT_my0zKcKS8Xeh7w5NEqSNCmcdbXuvGNlmxrDWaRwkHpz41CovmdOJawUE6BtKo9iVAgYHH4yAKFM/s1600/IMG_9033.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIymhawpkxyCddf_wLAUGU-WZNuxJa4IvGAHXzs_KiCQTi6C6Z7QW9zwG_X0XxtT_my0zKcKS8Xeh7w5NEqSNCmcdbXuvGNlmxrDWaRwkHpz41CovmdOJawUE6BtKo9iVAgYHH4yAKFM/s400/IMG_9033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585402662028409794" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><u><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><u><span style="font-size:10pt;">The job starts in April/May 2011 and runs until the end of September 2011</span></u><span style="font-size:10pt;">. <b style="">Ideally I would like to take someone on who is interested in the more long-term prospects of running a mobile chocolate business.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><b style=""><br /></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">The world of Choc Star is a whole new way of life to the 9-5 and <i style=""><u>I cannot emphasise enough the need for LOVE OF TRAVEL AND MEETING NEW PEOPLE.</u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><i style=""><u><br /></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:10pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfhzSP2xFy3oJvvLNgkxBSZJ7a5QO0Fiq4an1jgCAtQyR4msAd3f_6328ZVpepD9eluGPU9HOnhUgx8FK_KVg8yDDxniZtuhfvLlHP-PwgAuEuET1XiWnqS413vYvnBpgkEU8A4bGVvU/s1600/DSC00331.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfhzSP2xFy3oJvvLNgkxBSZJ7a5QO0Fiq4an1jgCAtQyR4msAd3f_6328ZVpepD9eluGPU9HOnhUgx8FK_KVg8yDDxniZtuhfvLlHP-PwgAuEuET1XiWnqS413vYvnBpgkEU8A4bGVvU/s400/DSC00331.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585402657206339138" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;">Does this sound like your kind of thing?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Or do you know someone who should hear about this?</span></p><p face="arial" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></p> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Looking forward to hearing from you!</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;">Please email Petra: <a href="mailto:feedme@chocstar.co.uk">feedme@chocstar.co.uk</a> for further details.</span></b></p> <br /><br /> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Courier New"; }@font-face { font-family: "Wingdings"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }ol { margin-bottom: 0cm; }ul { margin-bottom: 0cm; }</style>Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-17732762716177362032011-02-17T18:08:00.003+00:002011-02-17T18:19:03.369+00:00Getting my Modernism on...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJ6vjjTqvrSaN59hCOeKiHY8pIyTanW3wSxMNZdBPBiKQ2_z0ZhaEVjcLYvEQzEegAKkMfDriwUd57tzaFLQQizxl_fZtJ5q5uLkQOG2xPkzRUE9BcM5uxBnkto6GIyKBgF68fV5fp1w/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJ6vjjTqvrSaN59hCOeKiHY8pIyTanW3wSxMNZdBPBiKQ2_z0ZhaEVjcLYvEQzEegAKkMfDriwUd57tzaFLQQizxl_fZtJ5q5uLkQOG2xPkzRUE9BcM5uxBnkto6GIyKBgF68fV5fp1w/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574722287439225426" border="0" /></a>The snow took the first bites then the Masters gobbled up the rest. Time has not been a friend of mine of late.<br /><br />Please rest assured that plans for Jimmy's winter coat shedding are under way. We have a few outings planned over the next month or so - but our next official public engagement will be on April Fool's day (for reals). From there on in it'll be high-hitting choc van action right the way through to September - including a weekly spot at the Southbank from May.<br /><br />In the meantime, if yearning, you can enjoy our brownies and truffles at <a href="http://www.wildcaper.co.uk/">Wild Caper</a> in Brixton Market and our brownie fudge sundaes at Yianni's chop-up dive bar the <a href="http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/venue/2:28353/meateasy">Meateasy</a> in New Cross Gate (open until April).<br /><br />If that still doesn't cut the mustard then get in touch!Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-54951068435867863142010-11-01T14:02:00.005+00:002010-11-01T17:07:39.464+00:00Here and ThereMy life is now a curious mix of deeply rigorous academic study and a never-ending popping up at different London spots in the choc van. The two could seem far removed from each other but what I love is how well they feed into one another.<br /><br />Studying cities is what my Msc is all about - how we all negotiate and interpret our urban space, despite of/because of our apparent differences and how we claim ownership of those spaces and through doing so help contribute to the health and well-being of the city.<br /><br />I love that Choc Star takes me here:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeumvqEBxq65sdxpvlbnW7kSTr8qPfdyvafpm1CY51Om4mr_NdQViPDYkRsItFR-beNfgFGnVhT4ukSA3ZiqdnQ-ygkiuT74qgn6vYSXk85W0CdEaUzp4WhHVYXmKB2Br7uee2rnETtZ8/s1600/IMG_0767.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeumvqEBxq65sdxpvlbnW7kSTr8qPfdyvafpm1CY51Om4mr_NdQViPDYkRsItFR-beNfgFGnVhT4ukSA3ZiqdnQ-ygkiuT74qgn6vYSXk85W0CdEaUzp4WhHVYXmKB2Br7uee2rnETtZ8/s400/IMG_0767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534582482115772994" border="0" /></a>Choc Star + <a href="http://www.eat.st/traders.php">friends</a> were invited to trade in the Jubilee Gardens as part of the Thames Festival in September. It was a great opportunity to show off <a href="http://www.eat.st/">eat.st</a>'s wares in one spot - a whole strip of high-energy, high-quality, flavour and personality driven food stalls/vans lined up, shimmering.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz73wVs_Kf5_ILXGHeK3JNa3xDoT2B9PLdBP18EMKmqRlkePIiaBCaNpICp4KC_BWtycqJFz4EqBRqYBUgYKYEPTfd97H-Zf5DGwJrJtcWwZ7X9qYV9Or4lA5jBmUoB-b6JSxEzX1TD0E/s1600/IMG_8847.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz73wVs_Kf5_ILXGHeK3JNa3xDoT2B9PLdBP18EMKmqRlkePIiaBCaNpICp4KC_BWtycqJFz4EqBRqYBUgYKYEPTfd97H-Zf5DGwJrJtcWwZ7X9qYV9Or4lA5jBmUoB-b6JSxEzX1TD0E/s400/IMG_8847.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534582497540623890" border="0" /></a>And here:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEjwJGy4Zo8EvhrjB_xqrTFxUmYHzjXM1ux6jN2Go6WYuc0sGV4qwvd4rl9AkcmXvMfHSpO5TrwlvDIxqDdrIeX50kQSL1Z1lHuSCj8DWZNKe_z4aduVJpguSZ1cJSlGUuhNWB7Mm6m8/s1600/IMG_8861.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEjwJGy4Zo8EvhrjB_xqrTFxUmYHzjXM1ux6jN2Go6WYuc0sGV4qwvd4rl9AkcmXvMfHSpO5TrwlvDIxqDdrIeX50kQSL1Z1lHuSCj8DWZNKe_z4aduVJpguSZ1cJSlGUuhNWB7Mm6m8/s400/IMG_8861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534582501334094434" border="0" /></a>The '80s style Fashion Fete at Covent Garden found us back on familiar territory - except with a doggy catwalk show. And an Anna Wintour coconut shy opportunity.<br /><br />Oh, and with us serving Elvis Sundaes (choc ice cream, vanilla ice cream, brownie bites, banana, hot fudge sauce, salted peanuts and gold dust). Here's one happy partaker:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0JsUMY8stN37WxK94j82Zv2Ynl7CNjkYK-ltOKVcqP2QsoF0TsLPXhik4Zss5rdOmSe_-LNU4B8lDFyE8pGdRBxbmenFSxiclhvRNDUeDotrKkwj76ng3r79bzJ4LuTfZGcvhECQ4ws/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0JsUMY8stN37WxK94j82Zv2Ynl7CNjkYK-ltOKVcqP2QsoF0TsLPXhik4Zss5rdOmSe_-LNU4B8lDFyE8pGdRBxbmenFSxiclhvRNDUeDotrKkwj76ng3r79bzJ4LuTfZGcvhECQ4ws/s400/IMG_0835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534582509684113618" border="0" /></a>Then there was the <a href="http://livingsouth.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/warwick-wingding-music-and-arts-festival-peckham-24778/">Warwick Wingding</a>. This is an interesting one. Over in Peckham there's a whole scene going on. People tend to think of Peckham as crawling with miscreants where every step is a run of the gauntlet through gnarled chicken bones and eyeballing pitballs. But what about the quaint village life that exists alongside it?<br /><br />A whole community of arty folk keep the area around Warwick Gardens ticking along with a real homespun, homemade, DIY kind of lilt. Every year they hold the Wingding for the people of the area to come and sell their creations, listen to local musicians, eat well, dance, drink and so on. I was lucky enough to be invited, despite the SW9 postcode. Everyone was extremely friendly, interesting and interested. I just felt a bit sad for the small number of quite-clearly-not-part-of-the-scene kids who strayed over for an ice cream, £1 coins clasped in their mitts, and looking nervous and like real fish out of water amidst all the folksy reverie.<br /><br />There was nothing stopping these two though - all the way from Canada they came (they said) to visit us!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhai0VdzbBrNYX_08hDlHOdcQqctrZoFPO5Kx731TMCEWFI-ljXN9QXKlNStZ79VvxX2eOY7neDbqH2lZwJD3XK18LGn4c9zPiOtuHnw5i5iLgD-z9NdiJu6ixoSIDEHHwtNXa_5QU4Obo/s1600/IMG_0866.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhai0VdzbBrNYX_08hDlHOdcQqctrZoFPO5Kx731TMCEWFI-ljXN9QXKlNStZ79VvxX2eOY7neDbqH2lZwJD3XK18LGn4c9zPiOtuHnw5i5iLgD-z9NdiJu6ixoSIDEHHwtNXa_5QU4Obo/s400/IMG_0866.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534582515282563202" border="0" /></a>Back on the Southbank for the <a href="http://www.realfoodfestival.co.uk/content/view/493/147/">Real Food Festival</a> market. I love seeing our vehicles nestled in amongst all those clean lines and imposing edifices.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_CQLAePMqYYqPxqEHMHFQMwr5met-y4BbGChnrpzkw_iYiU3iczapbGs9cEJqabOaDyQJ6SjUIf9Kypv9Yu-RNRe821WtjkN1mFFk9RjaF8AQl64Gz8V0EA5Qt5FgnMYc16AaqYOt48/s1600/IMG_0885.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_CQLAePMqYYqPxqEHMHFQMwr5met-y4BbGChnrpzkw_iYiU3iczapbGs9cEJqabOaDyQJ6SjUIf9Kypv9Yu-RNRe821WtjkN1mFFk9RjaF8AQl64Gz8V0EA5Qt5FgnMYc16AaqYOt48/s400/IMG_0885.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534583894356894898" border="0" /></a>Down at the <a href="http://www.thedeptfordproject.com/">Deptford Project</a> for a food night with <a href="http://www.themeatwagon.co.uk/">The Meatwagon</a>. This bloke turned up and started asking me lots of questions...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJHtyYOkf0seCPBK8r28zgTpk3Zou_lvh6VlT-edf56hp8kSFE75sMNK6KWASWV0y0ugI0hB4LDtDlD_L44fC9wn1zhV9BU8pgDrEpXcZ9YT0w1c_XRcW88wgc5cFvka82e6ahthASGY/s1600/IMG_0890.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJHtyYOkf0seCPBK8r28zgTpk3Zou_lvh6VlT-edf56hp8kSFE75sMNK6KWASWV0y0ugI0hB4LDtDlD_L44fC9wn1zhV9BU8pgDrEpXcZ9YT0w1c_XRcW88wgc5cFvka82e6ahthASGY/s400/IMG_0890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534583898609960402" border="0" /></a>We bonded over the fact that one of my old friends had her first ever snog with him in a bus stop in Essex.<br /><br />Then the Towpath event took on a further lease of life as we staged a two day event down by the river there - all in aid of <a href="http://www.warchild.org.uk/">War Child</a> and brimming with East Londoners all looking for a bit of edge to their outdoor dining that weekend.<br /><br />More of these to come as the Waterways people are excited by the possibilities that putting on events like these - self-organised, grass-roots, fabulous food, nice music, better vibes - can create. And what a wonderful opportunity to re-animate the dead zones of the canal in this way - the place was heaving! (Not in this pic - this was early).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpO2pyjs3U-mUJFxpvc3rX-BSmD_QRurLCVHzVBp6bOjhk6JTthhsKKLJPVVUSYkYwYpoDWoTFYITqfGKGqKSvKifXH02TBpTo2i4lcEubewHK9GiI8C6mRXYAJMaB8kzgditz_fr3sw/s1600/IMG_8906.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpO2pyjs3U-mUJFxpvc3rX-BSmD_QRurLCVHzVBp6bOjhk6JTthhsKKLJPVVUSYkYwYpoDWoTFYITqfGKGqKSvKifXH02TBpTo2i4lcEubewHK9GiI8C6mRXYAJMaB8kzgditz_fr3sw/s400/IMG_8906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534583905236152962" border="0" /></a><br />I loved this Mad Max themed party we catered for in an old warehouse in Battersea the other day. The costumes were outrageous - but this guy trumped them all for all round squishability (little smorgasbord of choc treats for his table):<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9qL5BDChURRnxjjBDW7bvqIUWL27AHzcG2k6_ucjmzJqd30jtZCWKinXYCkwm-K9uJ9uzaRE0laA-mDANyWmzeF1z7YJjhAi-X8dJT2MJ_SrOzd3SOHuuCHKEZeRSW4nVbLUtKiS3cg/s1600/IMG_8966.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9qL5BDChURRnxjjBDW7bvqIUWL27AHzcG2k6_ucjmzJqd30jtZCWKinXYCkwm-K9uJ9uzaRE0laA-mDANyWmzeF1z7YJjhAi-X8dJT2MJ_SrOzd3SOHuuCHKEZeRSW4nVbLUtKiS3cg/s400/IMG_8966.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534583922034789602" border="0" /></a>And this dude did stunts that were eye-popping:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBjlNzHrhvsUBdhKOzw4CW7aLNkmmEqh5NgtK_8MKovq1CyhuoFyQjQnzpt7LmaYzu3D4OrhFVcHMd1pzTapUcxucC_dTl0EssKEhffHPrSE3DsuYPAZx-RLIXj9qzuyayIe7ejCS6cg/s1600/IMG_8960.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBjlNzHrhvsUBdhKOzw4CW7aLNkmmEqh5NgtK_8MKovq1CyhuoFyQjQnzpt7LmaYzu3D4OrhFVcHMd1pzTapUcxucC_dTl0EssKEhffHPrSE3DsuYPAZx-RLIXj9qzuyayIe7ejCS6cg/s400/IMG_8960.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534583911551181346" border="0" /></a><br />And then there was Brent Cross. Britain's first stand-alone shopping mall - a 1970s powerhouse of hardcore consumerism. Despite seeming a little dated and past its best now, its postcode guarantees a huge number of avid, high-spending shoppers every week.<br /><br />The Centre decided that the recent interest in curbside eating should be realised in their carpark every month in the form of a mini-food festival.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPCulCKnNwFEvEFyTTNTStSI1oFz4OPoVloXJIf7Pp6_-b9OoQN5uFDtfDldT6SdOMDWxfa-KinkpU8yDSY3tLT-FL41fLaaH9ZT5K8ea78pYLa4nKZ4S3ocj8faDbZsluDnsXVaVJYY/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPCulCKnNwFEvEFyTTNTStSI1oFz4OPoVloXJIf7Pp6_-b9OoQN5uFDtfDldT6SdOMDWxfa-KinkpU8yDSY3tLT-FL41fLaaH9ZT5K8ea78pYLa4nKZ4S3ocj8faDbZsluDnsXVaVJYY/s400/IMG_0904.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534584823658758738" border="0" /></a>I actually loved being there and think it looked great. Not only our strip - which included eat.st stalwarts Churros Brothers, Brewed Boy, Healthy Yummies, The Meatwagon, Bhangra Burger and Ca Phe VN - but the contrast of that bleak, almost Brutalist facade as a backdrop to the informal, quirky arrangement of food traders who couldn't be further from your typical Nandos-fest usually associated with the mall experience.<br /><br />This could have potential for real growth but it's going to require a bit of a re-think on many matters - not least of which being, how do you divert indoor mall mentality to outdoor ad-hoc style street food eating?<br /><br />The good news is that pondering exactly these kinds of questions is all good for my course. Now I just have to remember how to write an essay...Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-9909247211120107622010-10-07T00:47:00.002+01:002010-10-07T13:11:30.114+01:00Back to the Towpath for a full weekendThis weekend sees another, more expanded <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Petra-Barran/718270984#%21/event.php?eid=156864061001972">DIY event at the Towpath in Hackney</a>. We're all really excited to be involved with what we hope will become a continued theme in the trading habits of the eat.st crew.<br /><br />The summer has confirmed a lot of things that we already suspected: that many of the events we've traditionally attended are going in a direction that is rather lacking in the original festival spirit from which they first sprung. This is a shame because what's so special about the food traders who have joined <a href="http://www.eat.st/">eat.st</a> is that we are, by our natures, still full of mad love for our customers and the food we serve. It's difficult to do what we do when confronted with exorbitant pitch fees, heavy-handed sponsors, excessive amounts of traders for too few punters and a general sense of disconnect from the good, wholesome and happy vibes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEEXjb3AtqgBwbv5SHCfpJJP9HI1NCdp6UqaXIolpzUxirbxfo-rJbMrkyKRjutIP0gmKMFeQ_vBE_ZRuOAX_lzgSrjuEP7rJp57nRAv4aM8kT33ijBPNxfbylFjYlWachhCGU80YOok/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEEXjb3AtqgBwbv5SHCfpJJP9HI1NCdp6UqaXIolpzUxirbxfo-rJbMrkyKRjutIP0gmKMFeQ_vBE_ZRuOAX_lzgSrjuEP7rJp57nRAv4aM8kT33ijBPNxfbylFjYlWachhCGU80YOok/s400/IMG_0521.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525275028025470370" border="0" /></a>Let me say that there are still <a href="http://www.porteliotfestival.com/">exceptions</a> and we <a href="http://www.kimberleyhall.co.uk/">love</a> <a href="http://www.thamesfestival.org/">them</a> for remaining <a href="http://www.winterwell.co.uk/">true</a>. And we understand that everybody needs to make money and we wish them well. But <a href="http://chocstar.co.uk/home.html">Choc Star</a> and many of the other <a href="http://www.eat.st/traders.php">great people of eat.st</a> have other ideas up our sleeves...<br /><br />As I press pause on the road-tripping for a while and turn my mind to my studies, it is also London that I want to focus on more closely for the Choc Star ramblings and adventures. Full of opportunities to bring great food to its streets and public spaces - many of them disused or under-used.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkY6KoQd6eTtPogKUYltLU08kVCx-pVLvCtoz6459azYO9lMf1u4zLIaBKrdQDlRtdBS2Zo2adxs4HEGIAebfqgCJVybBLR788Wy6hSkgniKo69nzbOwo1lF8piYYBQbl1pl_R9xrWRs/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkY6KoQd6eTtPogKUYltLU08kVCx-pVLvCtoz6459azYO9lMf1u4zLIaBKrdQDlRtdBS2Zo2adxs4HEGIAebfqgCJVybBLR788Wy6hSkgniKo69nzbOwo1lF8piYYBQbl1pl_R9xrWRs/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525275025691919426" border="0" /></a>We tried it a few weeks ago and now we're off again - Right opposite the canal from Jason Lowe and Lori De Mori's wonderful <a href="http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/venue/2:26732/towpath">Towpath Cafe</a> lies a piece of land that shouts DIY micro-festival like you wouldn't believe.<br /><br />Alongside the choc-mobile will be super-proactive eat.st member Yianni of the <a href="http://www.eat.st/traders/traders-review.php?traderID=14">Meatwagon</a>, Portobello favourites <a href="http://www.eat.st/traders/traders-review.php?traderID=13">Jamon Jamon</a>, <a href="http://www.eat.st/traders/traders-review.php?traderID=11">Mongo Denoon and the OK Catering Success (or The Everybody Love Love Express</a>, depending on how you're feeling) and ruffneck coffee supremo <a href="http://www.eat.st/traders/traders-review.php?traderID=34">Brewed Boy</a> with his cart of joy.<br /><br />There'll be music, fire, edible magic and sunshine. Or, in the words of Mongo Denoon:<br /><h3 style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message"><span class="UIStory_Message">The LoveLove Express happily heads East to be part of a one off weekend in an exclusive waterside location for a do with some of the finest street food wagons, dj's, bands, top hat cocktails and side stepping possiblities - and all blessed and bathed in the last golden days of summer. Its free if you are. Come and remind <span class="text_exposed_hide"></span><span class="text_exposed_show">yourself why you love London.</span></span></h3>Hope to see you there for a milkshake/chaat/espresso/burger/paella...Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-46877274587561276002010-09-30T12:50:00.003+01:002010-09-30T12:53:20.782+01:00One day only!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaZIdgKIlY2CyKqNqoLDhNwAp2xJQy4vdY-NkjfYHqNCXS8EafmjgcAu4wHw27WJ3u5Zvn58-FWNXrn4gLxvC2dL4KGBwlmCq58jU3V1-E2qt6X8tH8mY5wW53VUniY9N7igwK0uXQY0/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaZIdgKIlY2CyKqNqoLDhNwAp2xJQy4vdY-NkjfYHqNCXS8EafmjgcAu4wHw27WJ3u5Zvn58-FWNXrn4gLxvC2dL4KGBwlmCq58jU3V1-E2qt6X8tH8mY5wW53VUniY9N7igwK0uXQY0/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522673280776926882" border="0" /></a><br />We'll be back on the Southbank this Saturday for one day only.<br /><br />As it's sunny and rainy and windy and all we'll be selling all sorts: ice creams, milkshakesm hot chocolates, sundaes, truffs, brownies, Willie's Cacao...<br /><br />10am-6pm, Belvedere Road side of the Southbank Centre.Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-83258180575922222342010-09-21T18:55:00.002+01:002010-09-21T19:38:32.120+01:00Warwick Wingding - Peckham, here we come!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmB2Az0vxyOr2wzUReJHwDnP5IxBa6RqynJbivNF0WQAKZ07ZFqn6Un7Kodl7ZUDVIUKCF1YwVn_a7DKJ32lbsg6y3KAfmU_qkTUAnNXO0Fa86JmyVStzC3ByNpfrNFfkiVstgu4YW3Q/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmB2Az0vxyOr2wzUReJHwDnP5IxBa6RqynJbivNF0WQAKZ07ZFqn6Un7Kodl7ZUDVIUKCF1YwVn_a7DKJ32lbsg6y3KAfmU_qkTUAnNXO0Fa86JmyVStzC3ByNpfrNFfkiVstgu4YW3Q/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519427772030188450" border="0" /></a>We're so excited because this weekend we barely have to leave our neighbourhood. To some people the differences between Peckham and Brixton are massive - even the way a person walks can denote SW9 or SE15 - but when it comes down to me and Jimmy it's well local.<br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Petra-Barran/718270984#%21/event.php?eid=154065491274652&ref=ts"><br />The Warwick Wingding</a> is a one day urban fete kind of affair - the result of all those who know and love the green space of Warwick Garden coming together to have a bit of a late summer shin-dig.<br /><br />Alongside us will be the properly local likes of <a href="http://www.themeatwagon.co.uk/">The Meatwagon</a>, <a href="http://www.ganapatirestaurant.com/">Ganapati</a>, <a href="http://helengraves.co.uk/">Helen Graves</a> serving up mezze and some storming music and fabulous japes from all manner of others.<br /><br />It runs from 12-7pm and is followed by an <a href="http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?6,523488">after-party</a>. So if you're coming from North you'd better pack an overnighter.Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-57269971952115635932010-09-10T10:34:00.005+01:002010-09-10T11:14:04.424+01:00Thames Festival this Weekend!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfMCW6k7UDEGvIfUbG1_F9cVr3Ex1ytkxZ5kae4APJ0Rl7tFJZNREn-Zv1LGuu7X1lGtrSDIa2MU_ZIICFsO3uMBUaNF1ffEG7M1GF84kDnFjJUwb6FhYXMdCjzSqV6ffVx81l1d7TGs/s1600/images-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfMCW6k7UDEGvIfUbG1_F9cVr3Ex1ytkxZ5kae4APJ0Rl7tFJZNREn-Zv1LGuu7X1lGtrSDIa2MU_ZIICFsO3uMBUaNF1ffEG7M1GF84kDnFjJUwb6FhYXMdCjzSqV6ffVx81l1d7TGs/s400/images-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515220567686781794" border="0" /></a><br />This year the Thames Festival have been really keen to make collectives a key part of its trader presence. The idea being that if groups of like minded operations can come together to double up on deliveries, space, power, etc, then there is an overall reduction in the environmental and administerial burden on the Southbank - along whose shores will gather hundreds of different stalls for the coming weekend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCL6i4mZvExgXED1WTvRGVXSXlZ0NT0ckWJ5MavJsQdQ_KaZHjQnL1LLfU4sZtiylMjxoetXEb8eMU2XVk1SRUY_271AeVvVaTAtnKuiAu76E88CexK_3vbC8kKm7FrXJl3OrxJZWhQo/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 357px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCL6i4mZvExgXED1WTvRGVXSXlZ0NT0ckWJ5MavJsQdQ_KaZHjQnL1LLfU4sZtiylMjxoetXEb8eMU2XVk1SRUY_271AeVvVaTAtnKuiAu76E88CexK_3vbC8kKm7FrXJl3OrxJZWhQo/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515225348816744770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We at <a href="http://www.eat.st/">eat.st</a> were thrilled to be given our first official opportunity to gather together in one spot and do what we do as a group. It's a rare thing to be working with such progressively minded events organisers as well - and we have the super-conscientious market trading stalwart Barny Copford and his team to thank for this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEljsMWR6tagpyHzMF9HC_P9rm_AG6l6juYOqdpANChAvYktVIOYM9wnsCMZL0GKB7I-R2nYnpjR_i36rJirQ9yPov4jTvvh_9QJnZXbVyfuRI3nDE2JHe8NJK3Nb0KHEBNy9Z9JKpUc/s1600/-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEljsMWR6tagpyHzMF9HC_P9rm_AG6l6juYOqdpANChAvYktVIOYM9wnsCMZL0GKB7I-R2nYnpjR_i36rJirQ9yPov4jTvvh_9QJnZXbVyfuRI3nDE2JHe8NJK3Nb0KHEBNy9Z9JKpUc/s400/-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515225568615623090" border="0" /></a><br />eat.st have been allocated the most incredible pitch - right in the middle of Jubilee Gardens, under the London Eye. Together with Choc Star will be some of our crew favourites: <a href="http://www.eat.st/traders/traders-profile.php?traderID=25">Bhangra Burger</a>, <a href="http://www.eat.st/traders/traders-review.php?traderID=11">The Everybody Love Love Express</a>, <a href="http://www.travelbite.co.uk/travel-blogs/blog/travel-blog-%E2%80%93-around-uk-with-eggonomics-$1309219.htm">Eggonomics</a>, <a href="http://churrosbros.co.uk/">Churros Brothers</a>, <a href="http://www.spinachandagushi.co.uk/">Spinach & Agushi</a>, <a href="http://www.eat.st/traders/traders-review.php?traderID=5">Bean & Gone</a> coffee and the new <a href="http://jamonjamon.co.uk/">Jamon Jamon</a> off-shoot - slinging hot, buttery garlic bread.<br /><br />Looking forward to seeing you down there!Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-87283917563981056112010-09-06T13:51:00.010+01:002010-09-08T12:30:08.144+01:00I left my heart there......or at least any hope of wearing summer clothing again this year. The blueness of the sky was incredible. I would wander around San Francisco's audacious slopes fairly pinching myself to be there, in it, amongst it - revelling in having suddenly transported myself to one of my favourite cities in the world - all on a stomach pulsing whim.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVf3YaoAA-SOBqqCWCMBhFIdsmxwkZt8GO7LzQNcFGQc2MMqMSa2IgFDO7Sgi3C_a24m3VHrYS33Zm2eTTAOuwW66Bacu12DUvH2Mh0k9u290C8CiFXXxkau4Ny4tf2-CoQRzCZzZZag/s1600/IMG_8642.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVf3YaoAA-SOBqqCWCMBhFIdsmxwkZt8GO7LzQNcFGQc2MMqMSa2IgFDO7Sgi3C_a24m3VHrYS33Zm2eTTAOuwW66Bacu12DUvH2Mh0k9u290C8CiFXXxkau4Ny4tf2-CoQRzCZzZZag/s400/IMG_8642.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513797433808385122" border="0" /></a>They catch you sometimes, these gut-fuelled desires. Whether it's sensible or feasible or not, that part of your instinct will not hush up until you obey it. I like obeying it. Makes me feel like I'm on course. Keeps me alert.<br /><br />The last one I had was on a rock in India where I became consumed by the need to return to Uni and study Urbanism. I'm fascinated by how cities work, by how we all negotiate the space that we occupy within them. How every city has a different personality, like people, and functionality akin to the human body. And how public spaces, with a little imagination and vision, can provide a city and its people with a vital aspect to this personality.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdacY2y5zrJq8tEllSXEERWrl0Tfbauwe8q9wRurFmW8Ts-Pi2hzxnu4xa8CvRRP590cxVsc5uC4io4gRVvmT5O1GM0K2FBHsgChhuoWRNmgvieGQEUuM_KMr02HDYoC9NGRAftcRL3ds/s1600/IMG_8608.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdacY2y5zrJq8tEllSXEERWrl0Tfbauwe8q9wRurFmW8Ts-Pi2hzxnu4xa8CvRRP590cxVsc5uC4io4gRVvmT5O1GM0K2FBHsgChhuoWRNmgvieGQEUuM_KMr02HDYoC9NGRAftcRL3ds/s400/IMG_8608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513794637789172754" border="0" /></a>So it is that <a href="http://chocstar.co.uk/home.html">Choc Star</a> + <a href="http://www.eat.st/">eat.st</a> + my upcoming <a href="http://www.ucl.ac.uk/urbanstudies/index.php?page=0.0.0">Masters</a> amounts to a deep interest in the question of how instrumental street food is to the animation and integration of urban public space. When I heard that over in Fog City <a href="http://www.lacocinasf.org/">La Cocina</a> were holding a <a href="http://www.lacocinasf.org/resources/street-food-festival-conference/">street food festival</a> and two day conference on this very subject I got all hot under the collar and was on a flight in a matter of days.<br /><br />You can read about the festival <a href="http://eatstreetblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/san-francisco-streed-food-festival/">here</a> and I'll be writing about the conference shortly but, for now, here's a little round-up of the sweetness coming my way during my San Fran Express trip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMNW5KRHbAUEDa9Npip1huLLLY6m5N7E0cbtBqWEqFZthmHKwrrbXnTE97Y4XoMaUE1e-TF8-FTWn8-uGABfYVTtMgiPY1a4fX842wxjxxviqFCC2VvVGLh-Af0CQctRjIUZOgHuTO8E/s1600/IMG_8310.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMNW5KRHbAUEDa9Npip1huLLLY6m5N7E0cbtBqWEqFZthmHKwrrbXnTE97Y4XoMaUE1e-TF8-FTWn8-uGABfYVTtMgiPY1a4fX842wxjxxviqFCC2VvVGLh-Af0CQctRjIUZOgHuTO8E/s400/IMG_8310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513783506242535058" border="0" /></a>Pud number 1 in La Dunya on Polk St. Settled into my hotel and then headed straight out in pursuit of my first glass or two of some really good zinfandel. I love a cheeky zin. And they always give you the most enormous glass to quaff it from in Cali. For fear of falling off my perch I ordered some food, culminating in the owner wheeling out three different puddings for me to try. The brownie was perfectly fine, the Tiramisu nice enough, but this lemon situation above had me all up in my clover. A great buttery layer of tangy lemon curd atop a crunchy base of ginger biscuit. It worked for me - I felt perfectly normal the next morning, like I'd been on Pacific Time for weeks.<br /><br />This:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0143fITexIXliM3iC9nUuKCfvemcGQFxKTrfAfIxchzF4L-miY9E4WhqSszCkLc_OZ3odkucJzJnEvmOvCVouXxGhnXaH8fi-J6q9glDuzGqiVUm-nf2KZEBPnmHI-WU0IYPrC54RUuA/s1600/IMG_8388.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0143fITexIXliM3iC9nUuKCfvemcGQFxKTrfAfIxchzF4L-miY9E4WhqSszCkLc_OZ3odkucJzJnEvmOvCVouXxGhnXaH8fi-J6q9glDuzGqiVUm-nf2KZEBPnmHI-WU0IYPrC54RUuA/s400/IMG_8388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513783540202288706" border="0" /></a>Soon turned to this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMuGGodUsx2coziCm3S0zz_v2p9D8ciyP6q8POcztV0OW45fdCCTP6tIRWpx9NvyvNjkueKudGrWpXkNKpa_vzN8UOcSeZX-K6bwX_G35Uh2AsYoKbh9w08ClzzgOJ1IZsj17NmJDVMY/s1600/IMG_8572.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMuGGodUsx2coziCm3S0zz_v2p9D8ciyP6q8POcztV0OW45fdCCTP6tIRWpx9NvyvNjkueKudGrWpXkNKpa_vzN8UOcSeZX-K6bwX_G35Uh2AsYoKbh9w08ClzzgOJ1IZsj17NmJDVMY/s400/IMG_8572.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513793501370441394" border="0" /></a>and I was off into those streets like four dogs on a three-legged cat.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.biritecreamery.com/">Bi-Rite Creamery</a> ice cream (Salted Caramel and Malted Vanilla for me).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZJqAvH2aH4lcwTxIsQt6GppnSGkWk2eNdg3BT0phlIKvpjtjCQFwEsfyQ7126nuYE-EQlgLTLq8-MF1XQloUGxNjMhbT6NaxXgLo1yrgtECuc3rwSC6cCjQcQsQumt6BNaQ8jLWYiCQ/s1600/IMG_8339.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZJqAvH2aH4lcwTxIsQt6GppnSGkWk2eNdg3BT0phlIKvpjtjCQFwEsfyQ7126nuYE-EQlgLTLq8-MF1XQloUGxNjMhbT6NaxXgLo1yrgtECuc3rwSC6cCjQcQsQumt6BNaQ8jLWYiCQ/s400/IMG_8339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513783514474607842" border="0" /></a>Rocking.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tartinebakery.com/">Tartine</a> friand, cacao nib rocher and Mexican sugar cookie (there was something else in there which was way too good to wait for its pic to be taken). I love Tartine. There's something almost apothecal about imbibing from it. Feels like it'll help you to live a long and prosperous life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Iy5HeC5S2vHCWvX_MfX-Yrk3YNSgWYCvnkApq-GPYehfxWVM9fThMqu-gUvC_Oj5VY2hxJ16-klofi547a6BqbKb2OgO-TGbx4ojIL21oBd0UAJxjDyEfdj6iQBtUhcxaneZQ6hlyJ0/s1600/IMG_8386.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Iy5HeC5S2vHCWvX_MfX-Yrk3YNSgWYCvnkApq-GPYehfxWVM9fThMqu-gUvC_Oj5VY2hxJ16-klofi547a6BqbKb2OgO-TGbx4ojIL21oBd0UAJxjDyEfdj6iQBtUhcxaneZQ6hlyJ0/s400/IMG_8386.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513783528870434498" border="0" /></a><br />Equadorian, hi-camp jellies at the street food festival. I've never seen anything like it. Reminded me of those T-shirts you grow in water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHD2wmrc6DJbV_cTPr6IcHz1qPpwoZKU8RPx4MPMs4s9PshB_IrkYl5NxlvjY81tDZXn58YghRuzY7NX0vAZ2yz8k5btcdSWg71mu0wvRS57d4vZ5_4HG4u1bmftQN9s-14f1-DfMSEqo/s1600/IMG_8503.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHD2wmrc6DJbV_cTPr6IcHz1qPpwoZKU8RPx4MPMs4s9PshB_IrkYl5NxlvjY81tDZXn58YghRuzY7NX0vAZ2yz8k5btcdSWg71mu0wvRS57d4vZ5_4HG4u1bmftQN9s-14f1-DfMSEqo/s400/IMG_8503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513783558181822482" border="0" /></a>I'd heard so much about the <a href="http://twitter.com/cremebruleecart">Creme Brulee Cart</a> and was devastated not to be able to try the Mexican Chocolate. They were dishing out frozen ones to the people a few in front and then torches down, party over.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dEkITJkbOYffXU4RNDPucCH2wtAAqqOcE16EWqC15kO1zpegly7oE2y1Ntg_uTYijpWnkItiq5b96aBEFm6CwvxeEE-fnwvhmZSjSL3NQO6LMUDXkht890DGr5RrRizAlC691BOhqXg/s1600/IMG_8505.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dEkITJkbOYffXU4RNDPucCH2wtAAqqOcE16EWqC15kO1zpegly7oE2y1Ntg_uTYijpWnkItiq5b96aBEFm6CwvxeEE-fnwvhmZSjSL3NQO6LMUDXkht890DGr5RrRizAlC691BOhqXg/s400/IMG_8505.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513793466369628594" border="0" /></a>But I did get to have this as consolation...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HaSwCo7a_WnnX2eDLWmP4OJGM5nyn-lbYRyp-pZcujG3YLj1IYBgyXxc50d5W9mfKqr0M4BgTf_lYvWtSvpbocVDTaGuwpm_qfymU17uZuxb412_NgpteWxEBrZAL_XcX2WW9LzAfMs/s1600/IMG_8487.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HaSwCo7a_WnnX2eDLWmP4OJGM5nyn-lbYRyp-pZcujG3YLj1IYBgyXxc50d5W9mfKqr0M4BgTf_lYvWtSvpbocVDTaGuwpm_qfymU17uZuxb412_NgpteWxEBrZAL_XcX2WW9LzAfMs/s400/IMG_8487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514490434953007906" border="0" /></a>Hot off the press, slippy-slidey, melting choc/mallow, squidgeable, crunchable hot mess. Thanks to <a href="http://www.kikastreats.com/">Kika's Treats</a> for the light relief!<br /><br />Then someone hawked me this Alfajore (Peruvian dulce de leche cookie) for $2, which I ploughed into before remembering to snap. That keeps happening to me lately.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq26K7XqKYEBwgcdB9DqrDB3mYZKViSrTtCgvkRqqaBbtpqReYbn1t2jxmr_N0L-81lb24JMcrganWqczWyRJX6xXQHWJCAipRDRulgPlfS9vZfjx2nPX8354eLA9-U7Fot7s10kA_Z48/s1600/IMG_8541.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq26K7XqKYEBwgcdB9DqrDB3mYZKViSrTtCgvkRqqaBbtpqReYbn1t2jxmr_N0L-81lb24JMcrganWqczWyRJX6xXQHWJCAipRDRulgPlfS9vZfjx2nPX8354eLA9-U7Fot7s10kA_Z48/s400/IMG_8541.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513793482035297298" border="0" /></a>Oh, and these cheeky little Madeleines were sat winking at me - all sassy and keen - as I passed by <a href="http://www.delfinasf.com/home.html">Delfina</a> on my way out of there. When it comes to pure comfort cake this has to be up there. And you just feel so damn special with one of those in your hand/mouth/tummy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaR850s4K8u3b9cirBChHLBAymPI01HpwmyDL43p0mGiwm5odu8Q0MnlQyBziplTScBWBLBJ3BEnS1M9NW1rLd8WXn-xi-jlNAXCOLQTAfbpse_YVRMHKxCe2jgkwn9xa3QyreJGtIHz8/s1600/IMG_8526.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaR850s4K8u3b9cirBChHLBAymPI01HpwmyDL43p0mGiwm5odu8Q0MnlQyBziplTScBWBLBJ3BEnS1M9NW1rLd8WXn-xi-jlNAXCOLQTAfbpse_YVRMHKxCe2jgkwn9xa3QyreJGtIHz8/s400/IMG_8526.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513793479101845346" border="0" /></a>Speaking of Delfina, if there was one thing I needed from my San Francisco express visit it was meatballs, California style. I took myself off for a cosy dinner a une (such a luxury) to the Pacific Heights branch and got well stuck into those <span style="font-style: italic;">polpette</span>. I mean seriously stuck in - to the point that, along with a dozen or so other memorables, I swear I'll be recalling them well into my granny years. Anyway, of course I needed <span style="font-style: italic;">dolce</span> after and opted for a moreno cherry sundae with bitter chocolate sauce and toasted pistachios. I did have something of a waddle to my walk home that night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcYHy-EObcm1qs0gnCixg8zsmH7rFm6VFU5mAD3XqiQP0vAARHN6b7jBNtUfYxOCPJjorCNLbH58gDApasPAbClylXK51ZvEzIsbk79aU_tQCJOlPQa_aO8SP-GVn58zx4hw69-uWYqg/s1600/IMG_8570.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcYHy-EObcm1qs0gnCixg8zsmH7rFm6VFU5mAD3XqiQP0vAARHN6b7jBNtUfYxOCPJjorCNLbH58gDApasPAbClylXK51ZvEzIsbk79aU_tQCJOlPQa_aO8SP-GVn58zx4hw69-uWYqg/s400/IMG_8570.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513793496034419138" border="0" /></a>Brunch at Americano the next day - ahead of the conference - was knock-out. Along with empenadas, panzanella, corn frittata, beef satay, a whole world of Bloody Marys and other deliciousness, they hit us with some sweetness too.<br /><br />This was a Malaysian porridge:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVXPVzO2nvxLkVssWV2GTEixih7Z5GYXUKWPTbcV1ZC5IMIiOY-ltocAzZn9-dZH6l1hbi5iJVJ4cdTEhcRu0WRqRJFbh-nsSXAwBGQOYGMTUCLNSXHj95tHWXspBYvEYt9_cY8hwXTc/s1600/IMG_8592.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVXPVzO2nvxLkVssWV2GTEixih7Z5GYXUKWPTbcV1ZC5IMIiOY-ltocAzZn9-dZH6l1hbi5iJVJ4cdTEhcRu0WRqRJFbh-nsSXAwBGQOYGMTUCLNSXHj95tHWXspBYvEYt9_cY8hwXTc/s400/IMG_8592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513794618150176386" border="0" /></a>Nice but perhaps a little too wholesome for me.<br /><br />More up my strada were the homemade 'pop tarts' - ricotta and blackberry compote:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehBpjJMD0Ry536fO8tK2PhDndQM3-lyeXbe3qJQfTTzCVow8w8zWpFn2toEpWJTQW6cSUMOUIgqG511L5GlW3gXzC4PuNTaIYZZ4JckLcO3aHdQw0wTMRH97Gicg9gF3K0OpPguECIkA/s1600/IMG_8597.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehBpjJMD0Ry536fO8tK2PhDndQM3-lyeXbe3qJQfTTzCVow8w8zWpFn2toEpWJTQW6cSUMOUIgqG511L5GlW3gXzC4PuNTaIYZZ4JckLcO3aHdQw0wTMRH97Gicg9gF3K0OpPguECIkA/s400/IMG_8597.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513794625173792258" border="0" /></a>and the mini cupcakes:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUI3C0fW6WT_krZ9P943MjBM28kWt98uVYE_lg5qy8Vpi7Tgr1RTDKYc2Ik2asaDH8SINJworxrrosxfbImHhp1AVbYn6jZC2FVtyrf5WixyBSFB7lAkvliQW9zWNwExZu9arZT2roXG4/s1600/IMG_8601.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUI3C0fW6WT_krZ9P943MjBM28kWt98uVYE_lg5qy8Vpi7Tgr1RTDKYc2Ik2asaDH8SINJworxrrosxfbImHhp1AVbYn6jZC2FVtyrf5WixyBSFB7lAkvliQW9zWNwExZu9arZT2roXG4/s400/IMG_8601.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513794631623638194" border="0" /></a>Pink lemonade, Guinness, spiced and Red Velvet. I banded around the idea of the 'cupcake backlash' to the people I was sitting with and they thought it was the most hilarious thing ever. No visible signs of this phenomenon hitting US shores as far as they were concerned.<br /><br />Later I hit the <a href="http://sanfrancisco.broadwayworld.com/article/Beach_Blanket_Babylon_To_Welcome_Big_Gay_Ice_Cream_Truck_to_SF_822_20100821">Humphry Slocombe/Big Gay Ice Cream truck party</a> in the Mission (but not before getting an education in real bourbon from a ripped guy in a low-down dive bar round the corner). What a contrast it was between that and this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxKfUHHmOzAcTtVh_3LeOcHK5Ek4qiHBLybqdBzXeEoGvQYLzWmBk11YJR9wBnhhkSFFH_aLdgr6FPOoHm-_yCaN_JcxWN-1TakJIJZURaqprqvaQFlhu6vv2Bq8DlVYmH7Gq7Zn9cjo/s1600/IMG_8695.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxKfUHHmOzAcTtVh_3LeOcHK5Ek4qiHBLybqdBzXeEoGvQYLzWmBk11YJR9wBnhhkSFFH_aLdgr6FPOoHm-_yCaN_JcxWN-1TakJIJZURaqprqvaQFlhu6vv2Bq8DlVYmH7Gq7Zn9cjo/s400/IMG_8695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513797412410101906" border="0" /></a>The cake was fine but what really got me inspecting the back of my head was the much raved about <a href="http://humphryslocombe.com/%7C_Home_%7C.html">Humphry Slocombe</a> ice cream. Hot diggity. My eyes pulsed with fever as I surveyed the list. The queue was ridiculous, I had to be ready with my order. In the end, despite stiff competition from the Salt & Pepper and Balsamic Caramel flavours, I went for Malted Milk Chocolate and <a href="http://www.foodspotting.com/places/96-humphry-slocombe-san-francisco/items/123-secret-breakfast-ice-cream">Secret Breakfast</a> with hot fudge sauce and frosted peanuts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7le2oTcpaB10L2tzGDJkJ0enuWW4PhGLU-YGWjet7QRIvItdy_TkVjaT25-V51EQQ6I8YMmwUGNSU3HwjZKRrkntu6EHZndqLeT6lyv_ForsnYcIj_V9ev_acVtu0c97bOpn9PMSZld4/s1600/IMG_8691.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7le2oTcpaB10L2tzGDJkJ0enuWW4PhGLU-YGWjet7QRIvItdy_TkVjaT25-V51EQQ6I8YMmwUGNSU3HwjZKRrkntu6EHZndqLeT6lyv_ForsnYcIj_V9ev_acVtu0c97bOpn9PMSZld4/s400/IMG_8691.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513797409155581746" border="0" /></a>I nearly keeled over, straight into the arms of an enormous Tranny. People - it was that good. Not French cleverness, nor Italian velvet, but a pure creamy, delicious pleasure with an almighty flavour that I haven't experienced in London so far.<br /><br />The next day my hangover (after a heavy duty session with Southern food legend John T Edge) prevented me from exploring sweetness much further. It was all about the tacos, the Po'boys and the empenadas. Except these did catch my eye and I did have to try.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnSkEtH2hp-iGfxGvIS6x0SYOntzpVa-zLezWdh3V2Ai4ryeqUx6BDdU8OTzYn1ZSVueaxQOPtpXj9QPtsgWj08XEz8-vg7JRvMCir5tFQIyn0hDIKIWKCQ0PDyNajNnxJXO2UN66IQ0/s1600/IMG_0698.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnSkEtH2hp-iGfxGvIS6x0SYOntzpVa-zLezWdh3V2Ai4ryeqUx6BDdU8OTzYn1ZSVueaxQOPtpXj9QPtsgWj08XEz8-vg7JRvMCir5tFQIyn0hDIKIWKCQ0PDyNajNnxJXO2UN66IQ0/s400/IMG_0698.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513797422599851186" border="0" /></a>Organic doughnuts. Who knew? This vanilla cookie one did actually feel like it was doing me good in a fairly wholesome way. Not wholesome green pulsey porridge, more soulfood wholesome - my favourite kind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU8S4AQgKdOj24MeUDPxkoQvnn9Aw4_a3dJ6mam9aKKX8GW_ExDlh0tbjwWmv_KoA531-tungH1cO-E8RgbImUI2WQqBa_Nc-bvd3ist7RKSlzKGr_u9i_FGDpDkZNAdrmbVadcYObn4/s1600/IMG_8750.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU8S4AQgKdOj24MeUDPxkoQvnn9Aw4_a3dJ6mam9aKKX8GW_ExDlh0tbjwWmv_KoA531-tungH1cO-E8RgbImUI2WQqBa_Nc-bvd3ist7RKSlzKGr_u9i_FGDpDkZNAdrmbVadcYObn4/s400/IMG_8750.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513797430061317362" border="0" /></a>Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-76230888077026239752010-08-12T15:35:00.003+01:002010-08-12T16:02:37.287+01:00Screw Work, Let's Play<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xQG1AfMorMEPDFUrAfUj4NhldVD6ZT9ABZwdx5xHlVUepDGflxvIP2eQbYLhiFSQX6DDUEQmr6aDS7W6BmD-XHLE9EgXAuntgLVh3z4UikPcHAjd4EUmZ2VRby2Z2SyXLBUpqgl2lQE/s1600/-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 331px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xQG1AfMorMEPDFUrAfUj4NhldVD6ZT9ABZwdx5xHlVUepDGflxvIP2eQbYLhiFSQX6DDUEQmr6aDS7W6BmD-XHLE9EgXAuntgLVh3z4UikPcHAjd4EUmZ2VRby2Z2SyXLBUpqgl2lQE/s400/-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504538342814597106" border="0" /></a>Well it wasn't exactly what I said to myself when I first began the Choc Star thing, but the leaning towards adventure and away from anything officey was always at the forefront.<br /><br />I've met so many amazing people through doing what I do. In every new town, at each festival, party, wedding and market will come a new person with a great story. Or a link. Or an enthusiasm that just makes me glow. That's when I feel like I'm playing - bouncing around in Jimmy, coming across good people with the fun-times look in their eyes and making friends for life.<br /><br />John Williams has written <a href="http://www.screwworkletsplay.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Screw Work, Let's Play</span></a> to talk about all the many different options for income that we can find that don't have to be dull and unengaging. He asked me if he could write about Choc Star in the book and of course I said yes. We're on p23 (<span style="font-style: italic;">How To Work Out What You Really Really Want</span>).<br /><br />Check it out if you're feeling playful - it's become a bestseller! Well done John, play on playa.Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-83445958382923246152010-07-01T16:27:00.005+01:002010-07-14T14:15:21.680+01:00Summer slingingThe summer has been going by in a haze. What a great one we've been having. Jimmy's been getting stuck into some new places and befriending lots of new people as ever - and really shaping up pretty well for someone of his age.<br /><br />I discovered recently that I have been accepted on a Masters course at UCL - an <a href="http://www.ucl.ac.uk/urbanstudies/index.php?page=0.0.0">Msc in Urban Studies</a> - and I am beyond excited at the prospect of getting my brain cranked up again. So, this summer marks the last one of things being as they were. After this year, who knows? Choc Star will most definitely continue but my role in it won't be as hands-on.<br /><br />So I'm enjoying every event with Jimmy - and delighting in the excitement I still feel when hitting the road, bound for somewhere I've never been before...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVea4mHjxjFo5L7a0iwC66byupFNoyF3iHj8LeqoXZDPPROUvRD7HorZRQR_jrcGgp-aIumJy4679f3YRN8OXs_5iV_28H4XOmfEmT9T8URKCWYS0zhgZCcJ3bwsXQniv97srhrfCUR0/s1600/IMG_7778.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVea4mHjxjFo5L7a0iwC66byupFNoyF3iHj8LeqoXZDPPROUvRD7HorZRQR_jrcGgp-aIumJy4679f3YRN8OXs_5iV_28H4XOmfEmT9T8URKCWYS0zhgZCcJ3bwsXQniv97srhrfCUR0/s400/IMG_7778.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488960871648099058" border="0" /></a>In May we went to <a href="http://www.letchworthgc.com/">Letchworth Garden City</a> for its first food festival. I was totally rivetted by this place - Britain's original Garden City and in possession of it's first roundabout (built in 1903). The whole town had a really extraordinary atmosphere: heavy duty, high-design suburbia with a touch of the Legoland about it.<br /><br />Punters in Letchworth = all incredibly friendly and easy-going. Must be the Quaker influence.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxQurrIt3KZwRNEU07Z9_cOeuYRJgw_NLfXGkpopTzrPUSkLSfALdsRnLiuw30MXM38VhTZCABMZC5lVoz3OdvUTLClakehvfbPLt9_KsI-W-Trq3j-ab4NhtJCq1cEpmdB8Ou41aIpc/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxQurrIt3KZwRNEU07Z9_cOeuYRJgw_NLfXGkpopTzrPUSkLSfALdsRnLiuw30MXM38VhTZCABMZC5lVoz3OdvUTLClakehvfbPLt9_KsI-W-Trq3j-ab4NhtJCq1cEpmdB8Ou41aIpc/s400/IMG_0153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488960891153775650" border="0" /></a>Prime example = this couple. I marveled at her very ostentatious necklace and she tried to insist that I should keep it. Too much! Then they went on to divulge the secrets of her current husband having snatched her away from her original husband. They looked utterly delighted that things had all worked out for the best and really tucked into those Choc Star treats.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkoohYt3uO_0dQUu_RimXlebylpxd4zFZDOfXGg9l18OOstfIKpXIhrMgLGF7121mP6YmySD_cVrOVYxTDEKba6kl9WI-279S_AUoDSXh6TEr5MOX-YGrxMSdJF0prjVRh8zsijcuB6g/s1600/IMG_7779.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkoohYt3uO_0dQUu_RimXlebylpxd4zFZDOfXGg9l18OOstfIKpXIhrMgLGF7121mP6YmySD_cVrOVYxTDEKba6kl9WI-279S_AUoDSXh6TEr5MOX-YGrxMSdJF0prjVRh8zsijcuB6g/s400/IMG_7779.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488960883149337074" border="0" /></a>My pal and fellow <a href="http://www.eat.st/">eat.st</a> founder Giles brought along <a href="http://www.souperstew.co.uk/index.html">Mary</a>, his caravan of joy. While we all roasted in the upper 20 degree heat, Giles stood over a pulsing pot of games stew - chunks ahoy of rabbit, pigeon, guinea fowl, quail and venison. Next on his agenda is to incorporate some Suffolk squirrels into the equation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0Ybb_ygM9VRlSFVXYrdtBcvHRlUVQyWGbEoNT1REXHChs046DzD-C6t47DSL3Pxu2XVOB8sVI0suAao2QUYtPBwbKVrmDI2d_j2lgfXaKbtVgAN8SHNh8-4uO9WAcy9tVCNZJ2MtB2s/s1600/IMG_7813.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0Ybb_ygM9VRlSFVXYrdtBcvHRlUVQyWGbEoNT1REXHChs046DzD-C6t47DSL3Pxu2XVOB8sVI0suAao2QUYtPBwbKVrmDI2d_j2lgfXaKbtVgAN8SHNh8-4uO9WAcy9tVCNZJ2MtB2s/s400/IMG_7813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488960901665826274" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.countyarms.co.uk/">The County Arms</a> in Wandsworth booked us to be part of their re-launch at the end of May. Along with Morris dancers, face painters, jugglers and other such pageantry, we served the pub's patrons with as much sweetness and joy as they could cope with. Great burgers too...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvrcDmaT5HLvmq2ftFH2CJSN-2pOc2sbORdiJKm0uShnV7CEXyYpEsZok6lxm_KAZFMucJJZo00Z-7MtJkzIuVbnUe3vTYqfzdHXtPI2fUihZWjK_uQqwOXXXKfW0qLCqfIHpC612E_g/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvrcDmaT5HLvmq2ftFH2CJSN-2pOc2sbORdiJKm0uShnV7CEXyYpEsZok6lxm_KAZFMucJJZo00Z-7MtJkzIuVbnUe3vTYqfzdHXtPI2fUihZWjK_uQqwOXXXKfW0qLCqfIHpC612E_g/s400/IMG_0190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488960908514035314" border="0" /></a><br />...Although not quite as special as<a href="http://www.themeatwagon.co.uk/"> Yianni's</a>. We finally got to go side-by-side again - this time outside the independently run <a href="http://theredlionandsun.com/">Red Lion & Sun</a> up in Highgate. Joder! I felt like I was crawling up out of the Brixton swamplands and onto a great precipitous ledge. Felt like another city altogether.<br /><br />No sooner had I arrived than I was met with a series of food ramblers. People who love food so much that they will hunt high and low for the best on offer - no matter how far or out of the way. I was impressed by the dedication of some of them and did my best to answer all the very detailed questions about sourcing and ingredients and baking methods.<br /><br />The Meatwagon delivered great juicy American style burgers (never had one in this country that tastes quite so much like the ultimate one I ate in a Wyoming roadhouse several moons ago), and we provided the sweetness.<br /><br />I drove home that night (getting massively lost in Camden as ever), marveling at the pull of the informal/transitory food offering. We need more of this cutting out the middle man type trading.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Bqn-wrz9hPOVUYABCF_5pwHzlZ0aaQzfbapnCuRGwY4ea8rSZMD7otYIzDUyZVR9IPSk7jcy7zvPeXqSfhhQD49hRS6YHt7rUwXzj7q_AMIl4xvSFC5v30bpsu8uv-DNu56J2zMJsq8/s1600/IMG_0254.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Bqn-wrz9hPOVUYABCF_5pwHzlZ0aaQzfbapnCuRGwY4ea8rSZMD7otYIzDUyZVR9IPSk7jcy7zvPeXqSfhhQD49hRS6YHt7rUwXzj7q_AMIl4xvSFC5v30bpsu8uv-DNu56J2zMJsq8/s400/IMG_0254.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488974576611162610" border="0" /></a>Mid June found us back at the <a href="http://www.teenagecancertrust.org/">Teen-age Cancer Trust</a> area of the Marylebone Street Fair. Loads of great people stopped by for milkshakes and chats - including this family, the man of which was one of my first ever customers when I used to take the van to Portobello Market.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cww3UNCDezha52ShOqcUbOqF65Z1Jozz1yFVYkgPGVpR6pAaLo9uMLoiDvdLpfJcP1Dzzgwb7X0_-hfxwEUJATM_Wxv1dUMXqwGz2wYe85aks5j0rAfKCWEr8jU0PslgxSDOD4lV1II/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cww3UNCDezha52ShOqcUbOqF65Z1Jozz1yFVYkgPGVpR6pAaLo9uMLoiDvdLpfJcP1Dzzgwb7X0_-hfxwEUJATM_Wxv1dUMXqwGz2wYe85aks5j0rAfKCWEr8jU0PslgxSDOD4lV1II/s400/IMG_0275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488974583222497202" border="0" /></a>He turns up occasionally and makes all the necessary 'ooh' and 'ahhh' type noises.<br /><br />I have to include a pic of this lot because they were so rowdy and wild. I love kids like that - roamers, tree-climbers, camp-makers, scuffed knee-ers. One of them was called 'Mushroom'. Priceless.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7wLmi-5h-i6slgLWt2dT8T-2jofTjGEHoja8Cuikfao_ulKBDzpPPoFjLjY72XzJa9XBNuKe81MeCrxMd_kR8wWjoUNHOhGGLiwV-YjCYd_qkDK1k_NmKEo_fZW_L5sMVf0Ad9CQuYE/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7wLmi-5h-i6slgLWt2dT8T-2jofTjGEHoja8Cuikfao_ulKBDzpPPoFjLjY72XzJa9XBNuKe81MeCrxMd_kR8wWjoUNHOhGGLiwV-YjCYd_qkDK1k_NmKEo_fZW_L5sMVf0Ad9CQuYE/s400/IMG_0281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488974593878315874" border="0" /></a><br />And then came <a href="http://www.winterwell.co.uk/">Winterwell</a>....a magical micro-machine of a festival in a valley in Gloucestershire. The theme for fancy dress (because there's always a theme for fancy dress) was The Complete Works of Roald Dahl. Well blow me down, if the place wasn't run amok by a sea of Oompah-Loompahs, Fantastic Mr Foxes, Willy Wonkas and even a Snozzcumber (who revealed to me during an intimate moment at the choc counter, that his shins had had to be dressed by the St John's Ambulance for custume chafing).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4afEWIcfvTUJmpM54bxa7ueho5uq3RCIbCSrWAn1b-fcyjG1c7vyl7wL_YHEaq-nGjU66K__yFfyXuoS_9XkPAic2pmF6ftVXDLiRmOdYWi65e6YkKh5D8Mfu2GZQpoYrm_WetLkYB0/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4afEWIcfvTUJmpM54bxa7ueho5uq3RCIbCSrWAn1b-fcyjG1c7vyl7wL_YHEaq-nGjU66K__yFfyXuoS_9XkPAic2pmF6ftVXDLiRmOdYWi65e6YkKh5D8Mfu2GZQpoYrm_WetLkYB0/s400/IMG_0339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488975766055507410" border="0" /></a><br />But my very favourite costume of all came courtesy of this dude. Whilst other would-be Hungry Crocodiles lagged around in matted old costume cupboard type affairs, this guy went above and beyond and made the thing himself. I told him, listen, you and Jean Paul Gaultier should hook up - this lime green PVC thing is all that. I was crazy for that guy and his costume and I didn't care who knew.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE79IqYQVUsCuQC6OmT1Hf6bEEbue_gKkfe_o_cFu8YYLgcEF3mlMNzuq8dAGy44NPm5bfRHEhoI-pK7Z7MD2DxWOOIeRNhC1QtRkLe4SRJ_MH56HPqkhfPszwzE7Yu5HGsqQbqgX1tHA/s1600/IMG_0320.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE79IqYQVUsCuQC6OmT1Hf6bEEbue_gKkfe_o_cFu8YYLgcEF3mlMNzuq8dAGy44NPm5bfRHEhoI-pK7Z7MD2DxWOOIeRNhC1QtRkLe4SRJ_MH56HPqkhfPszwzE7Yu5HGsqQbqgX1tHA/s400/IMG_0320.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488974603725193858" border="0" /></a>Meanwhile one of my little helpers turned up for her shift as a Giant Peach. We never lost her again for the whole night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aXkGA8QcqUU2QB4awd8WV8JfeQG_BPLgF7exlIOqsJWXJ4wTXz9ao_cHuOvgQHBHozUr6-5mp-yFMycEj4fPRU1SCGgjwwuH9Lye7LDXe9hgmwLxHjjvU6n1SNbMacqrCX2MvJ1oQf8/s1600/IMG_0327.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aXkGA8QcqUU2QB4awd8WV8JfeQG_BPLgF7exlIOqsJWXJ4wTXz9ao_cHuOvgQHBHozUr6-5mp-yFMycEj4fPRU1SCGgjwwuH9Lye7LDXe9hgmwLxHjjvU6n1SNbMacqrCX2MvJ1oQf8/s400/IMG_0327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488974612031491922" border="0" /></a>Later on that week I returned to almost the very same spot for the <a href="http://www.onformsculpture.co.uk/">OnForm</a> bi-annual sculpture exhibition at Asthall Manor. It was an idyllic setting, marred only slightly by my having to listen to the England-Algeria game on a wind-up radio that kept needing re-booting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrlw03DG4vR6IDtQq3mLLmv-gDzJyq5-e6ceZJhVNPKatNqVG-rBGCh5j3BRTZbxMxonb4fZxNbiNqdnLALCHgTci0T6UgUi12mAuPbHS7ItMUfwCB4XXgJ9AD8ifZ_aUA9HR7DPFOGo/s1600/IMG_7903.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrlw03DG4vR6IDtQq3mLLmv-gDzJyq5-e6ceZJhVNPKatNqVG-rBGCh5j3BRTZbxMxonb4fZxNbiNqdnLALCHgTci0T6UgUi12mAuPbHS7ItMUfwCB4XXgJ9AD8ifZ_aUA9HR7DPFOGo/s400/IMG_7903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488975779332116082" border="0" /></a>Back on the road to Essex after that for the Colchester Food & Drink festival in ancient old Castle Park. I used to knock around in that park as a teen-ager. I probably slept the night there on the odd occasion when I knew not where I was or how I came to be. It felt great to be back there - almost like a county show, complete with Suffolk Punches, donkey rides and a flower competition.<br /><br />This lot were eating for seven...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbrVdzMhTJQJzrJBcQ22dkwpU6K7PXrtLm2495uuRmj8rdy2sU5RoTVko-x4tStGf6bkCafA3NsrndA6oOMW7forSm5E9529KSi5QxJ7MFoWjXIfCRtlhN_y4Z0FeAYu85UZ_vbb0VPc/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbrVdzMhTJQJzrJBcQ22dkwpU6K7PXrtLm2495uuRmj8rdy2sU5RoTVko-x4tStGf6bkCafA3NsrndA6oOMW7forSm5E9529KSi5QxJ7MFoWjXIfCRtlhN_y4Z0FeAYu85UZ_vbb0VPc/s400/IMG_0366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488975787428115698" border="0" /></a><br />And I had a great little helper with me but she did try and eat her way through the profits somewhat. I'm looking forward to when my god-daughter Zahara can actually drive the thing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvlb3CTScH3wP-EtwlLYt0WyahvEUty1lsC0mDoupxnntx7iTXepNnx4n8910MKB3eKwdcveHfbmhKGR0S2m_mzUawoFx2eIF3y2l-xZE13QZHL_i0YW8XC1DHmyFe7pf2zP9fUj0tmA/s1600/IMG_0370.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvlb3CTScH3wP-EtwlLYt0WyahvEUty1lsC0mDoupxnntx7iTXepNnx4n8910MKB3eKwdcveHfbmhKGR0S2m_mzUawoFx2eIF3y2l-xZE13QZHL_i0YW8XC1DHmyFe7pf2zP9fUj0tmA/s400/IMG_0370.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488975795129003442" border="0" /></a>The following week we returned to the Southbank for the first of the <a href="http://www.realfoodfestival.co.uk/content/view/493/147/">Real Food Festival</a> monthly markets. It felt like coming home and the sun poured its sugar on us all weekend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKGPKNB9P-zTFZLevcHfMWC6AQ9l6FLORTF1gVd6lwsvrEMaPZGYggUW7nMmcmduZJdiVrUDSNM0no1cS-L07rRQFUy7FuOVVREMjB2ywgGFYeYlj587KW78ULDqfF7YqI8bj2taJ6V8/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKGPKNB9P-zTFZLevcHfMWC6AQ9l6FLORTF1gVd6lwsvrEMaPZGYggUW7nMmcmduZJdiVrUDSNM0no1cS-L07rRQFUy7FuOVVREMjB2ywgGFYeYlj587KW78ULDqfF7YqI8bj2taJ6V8/s400/IMG_0386.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493373885576238882" border="0" /></a>Favourite customers of the event was this Christopher Wallace fan and his reluctant sidekick. There's Biggie on his T-shirt. He got very excited when I told him my sitting-on-Biggie's-stoop story. Then I cranked up <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhevtGydcXM">Playas Anthem </a>and he fairly skipped off back into the throng.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2n3loFpOb4iFcENQTiuUz8Ihofc3l6_sjL2OB1PQtA3R9c9t2UtVmRZm1SweobwFP89J6s904RmqRUUxLmq7QLQ9n0eGt83LFZ_hDtZF-dRizJNhVICz2nBuMRmBlbnszKvS70YMMKw/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2n3loFpOb4iFcENQTiuUz8Ihofc3l6_sjL2OB1PQtA3R9c9t2UtVmRZm1SweobwFP89J6s904RmqRUUxLmq7QLQ9n0eGt83LFZ_hDtZF-dRizJNhVICz2nBuMRmBlbnszKvS70YMMKw/s400/IMG_0382.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493373874439001570" border="0" /></a>Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-71853633357122174212010-06-02T18:00:00.004+01:002010-06-02T18:06:00.058+01:00Choc Star joins a Meating - tomorrow night.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmPiQUnDbFW-g5my1fFvmF4YaeLNUaNdhak0_ff4tTnkFSp12ao3xeKHKnKymWuM6_fcHibdMLqnYL1zyeA7fbBMHPbBCU8We0OGXl3ECqRfkFR0jkJ5lp8qEyDQosUyxFX7tdWo0YIk/s1600/garden.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmPiQUnDbFW-g5my1fFvmF4YaeLNUaNdhak0_ff4tTnkFSp12ao3xeKHKnKymWuM6_fcHibdMLqnYL1zyeA7fbBMHPbBCU8We0OGXl3ECqRfkFR0jkJ5lp8qEyDQosUyxFX7tdWo0YIk/s400/garden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478223340654888802" border="0" /></a><br />Choc Star and <a href="http://www.themeatwagon.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Meat Wagon</a> (guerrilla burgers) will be making a special pilgrimage from our South London hang spots to <a href="http://theredlionandsun.com/" target="_blank">The Red Lion & Sun</a> pub in Highgate tomorrow night (Thurs 3rd June).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIChLg2tW9LuEewL7vIwIcWmUsY2Fmru5Ohbj4SxV4ybkDJYuoiZyfKPtFrSu2HS6euJjmLz_FsYGqUiAIUGX34mXcr6_Q42VyJYUxzwr1FgYFRDf0Gl2fu0pJrMgT2bpoiiY-k5qhooI/s1600/logo.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 82px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIChLg2tW9LuEewL7vIwIcWmUsY2Fmru5Ohbj4SxV4ybkDJYuoiZyfKPtFrSu2HS6euJjmLz_FsYGqUiAIUGX34mXcr6_Q42VyJYUxzwr1FgYFRDf0Gl2fu0pJrMgT2bpoiiY-k5qhooI/s400/logo.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478223059553226706" border="0" /></a><br />From 7pm onwards Yianni will be serving up his famous burgers (that the whole food obsessive world have been going mad for lately) and I shall be serving milkshakes, ice creams, truffles and sundaes.<br /><br />It's going to be fun - do come along if you're in the area!<br /><br />Big up, choc on and enjoy the sun,Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-69046459873620209212010-05-28T10:02:00.002+01:002010-05-28T10:19:40.807+01:00This Weekend - The County Arms gets a Makeover<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlO05bZ8BQ4cu0s4VabL8VO1wW40KOz5-9C0sKGndGsUFd1CwnXjK0VSkyt8uKcpTCAAQnApfmYUxpgawUrbap1Rdg3zhBGbbEyGmGzaGqmi-Fa509HIUg2UVZVdPthcnEd62kDFsqjX0/s1600/_41608984_morris_dancing_pa_416.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlO05bZ8BQ4cu0s4VabL8VO1wW40KOz5-9C0sKGndGsUFd1CwnXjK0VSkyt8uKcpTCAAQnApfmYUxpgawUrbap1Rdg3zhBGbbEyGmGzaGqmi-Fa509HIUg2UVZVdPthcnEd62kDFsqjX0/s400/_41608984_morris_dancing_pa_416.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476247828824360818" border="0" /></a><br />Hey there. Back in London now after choc van trips to Brighton and then to the fascinating planned suburbia of Letchworth Garden City. We'll be hot-footing it over to Wandsworth on Sunday for <a href="http://www.countyarms.co.uk/">The County Arms</a>' festivities to celebrate its new makeover.<br /><br />As well as ourselves (serving up sundaes, ice creams and milkshakes), there'll be Morris dancers, magicians, face painters, story tellers, a treasure hunt, a Pimms & caipirinha bar and hopscotch.<br /><br />Imagine that - hopscotch!<br /><br />We're excited. If you live around South-West London and fancy some fun, get on over.<br /><br /><div style="font-style: italic;" class="sticktobottom"> <p>The County Arms, 345 Trinity Road, London SW18 3SH</p> </div>Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-37128485077784231712010-05-17T12:19:00.004+01:002010-05-17T13:12:04.065+01:00Time Flew!Hello y'all! Greetings from the midst of a rather interesting and experimental epoch in the Choc Star experience: Brighton Fringe Festival....<br /><br />For almost three weeks Jimmy will have been parked up in the central concourse of the town's marvelous one-way system as part of the<a href="http://www.brightonfreerange.co.uk/"> Free Range</a> event.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBDYHJ2zXHgLx_COdYP_inWDecrDJW2kgI5ogihyphenhyphen353QxyvUej4K9RvwytkVIkc7Ux_zNmx3OE-txIw4LJF1e2pvQWC3r1jIndVKLmoYi7cUv-1omA8FNFRTw755BcZLZ588gKnyyDG8/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBDYHJ2zXHgLx_COdYP_inWDecrDJW2kgI5ogihyphenhyphen353QxyvUej4K9RvwytkVIkc7Ux_zNmx3OE-txIw4LJF1e2pvQWC3r1jIndVKLmoYi7cUv-1omA8FNFRTw755BcZLZ588gKnyyDG8/s400/IMG_0108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472199189224246114" border="0" /></a>A massive red and blue dome rises up in the midst of this micro festival within a festival and puts on wonderful performances every night. The highlight so far has been the physics-defying kids from<a href="http://www.circolombia.com/"> Circolombia</a>. Pure magic. If you're anywhere nearby in the next few days you must witness this!<br /><br />Other fun times - both in and out of the van - have been found at...<br /><br />The Kingston Food Festival.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9VACHw1gDE1pEN5zVuGdRIDcf0rGjKY2knUaF0WGkYUV9Ie2UWLtyufvrJHRgn3hpTul54apcbF-6POnLZbrjhjU8T_5OUx-SlikR0WTT-gwyutOY5U8eNO3JvpRac-KqZITqadDyyU/s1600/IMG_0049.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9VACHw1gDE1pEN5zVuGdRIDcf0rGjKY2knUaF0WGkYUV9Ie2UWLtyufvrJHRgn3hpTul54apcbF-6POnLZbrjhjU8T_5OUx-SlikR0WTT-gwyutOY5U8eNO3JvpRac-KqZITqadDyyU/s400/IMG_0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472198197339219026" border="0" /></a>I feel a little bit in love with Suburbia that weekend.<br /><br />The brilliant <a href="http://www.food-junctions.org.uk/">Food Junctions</a>. UCL have collaborated with local food adventurers to pull together this event in the rambling and off-piste location of <a href="http://www.opensquares.org/detail/Camley.html">Camley Street Natural Park</a>.<br /><br />I was asked to go along and give a tasting and you can imagine my delight when I was offered up this teepee as the possible location.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjm8dzaWTTGcs3XcpbaLR3aauTz00zGHiMbdHhSEN5Jxc4QT9s9S5xTFyV5Hz9D_p_tae7dXpWI8wVWTGUuV2T24GiTxz39FE1Oy5Q7BHTvcZKltKY5slYefHSvWR04YMsmK2RTSBjto/s1600/IMG_0084.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjm8dzaWTTGcs3XcpbaLR3aauTz00zGHiMbdHhSEN5Jxc4QT9s9S5xTFyV5Hz9D_p_tae7dXpWI8wVWTGUuV2T24GiTxz39FE1Oy5Q7BHTvcZKltKY5slYefHSvWR04YMsmK2RTSBjto/s400/IMG_0084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472198222678442498" border="0" /></a>That's it! I squealed, and then set about transforming it into a little chocolate den (no pics, sorry - I got mobbed!)<br /><br />There have been a lot of chocolate tastings at schools lately too. The local press even came along to the last one in Kent to take pics of the excited kids. (If I ever figure out how to post a scan on here I'll insert it toutes suite). I love going to primary schools and showing everyone the cocoa love - it's a whole fresh sheet upon which to lay down the stories and magic of chocolate for curious minds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-0HSsNyyl6OJ1smZcJUGOcZla8x-SpUO7RNhrXH-tI1jLeDWfYWdLKZak0gSUaeKhiigL-0ncHJ5kcI8aEDPb4oACLNIHUu7uO2Gm-gWcqR-Z12dyziguIyU3BsLGZKUvn4olwInGxw/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-0HSsNyyl6OJ1smZcJUGOcZla8x-SpUO7RNhrXH-tI1jLeDWfYWdLKZak0gSUaeKhiigL-0ncHJ5kcI8aEDPb4oACLNIHUu7uO2Gm-gWcqR-Z12dyziguIyU3BsLGZKUvn4olwInGxw/s400/IMG_0095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472199175131670690" border="0" /></a>And this wedding last week was fun - a Scottish knees-up right in the heart of Dulwich. God, talk about a sure-fire way of ensuring everyone has a damn good time. I LOVE all that prancing around and getting out of breath and being spun around and it certainly worked up their appetites...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpY91aW0DuA_LCRYyuLBAdRQgxJ_ue-4d49zVCoUxdn_iEx_JTwJW7yhqBYlR9GsDs7ybWHQ0T2cvWGjCY64Tg279oBPYvhA4Buire38ruycLBNS8VS4RiBjDMpIPX-UbqvRD5vHlGib4/s1600/IMG_0097.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpY91aW0DuA_LCRYyuLBAdRQgxJ_ue-4d49zVCoUxdn_iEx_JTwJW7yhqBYlR9GsDs7ybWHQ0T2cvWGjCY64Tg279oBPYvhA4Buire38ruycLBNS8VS4RiBjDMpIPX-UbqvRD5vHlGib4/s400/IMG_0097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472199182139040482" border="0" /></a><br />New sweet encounters also have been fun. A visit to <a href="http://www.thehawksmoor.com/">Hawksmoor</a> for their legendary burger was given a dash of extra pleasure by a scoop of their Cornflake ice cream for pudding. It was delicious - like crushed up Crunchy Nut Cornflakes in the most purely churned vanilla ice cream. It actually reminded me a bit of those crazy ice-creamists at <a href="http://www.momofuku.com/milk-bar/">Momofuku Milk Bar</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHRblP4GFxTKKYtAm22lVYciZiPWqLrb_mAyb1-RD4AsEDUacd642hQCm1UeFLkiqfPQVjrfwrhBwH3S_U2k1mXyEi3Dl801bEqJV2_q65t3ExsoW3Lnh1ZUmUoydhHX9Znq6e04xuS4/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHRblP4GFxTKKYtAm22lVYciZiPWqLrb_mAyb1-RD4AsEDUacd642hQCm1UeFLkiqfPQVjrfwrhBwH3S_U2k1mXyEi3Dl801bEqJV2_q65t3ExsoW3Lnh1ZUmUoydhHX9Znq6e04xuS4/s400/IMG_0053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472198205346922226" border="0" /></a>Then, while doing some pavement pounding in Hackney the other day, I finally got to see my friend Claire's new bakery. After almost five years as the most popular cake stall on Broadway Market, <a href="http://www.violetcakes.com/">Violet</a> has now added a bricks and mortar string to its bow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprkhW3xAjYaZ7e_9-8Hrjfvc2jDUwSSNE39ohJO-15TJjo8cd5efkrzl94FN8a21BLSITAHMgPRcRtDFJbt83ZtwPjsKaSGXXXLKnrAZxXU0MShrc2jES5fbbX4Gl5Ezn9ia641rOiUU/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprkhW3xAjYaZ7e_9-8Hrjfvc2jDUwSSNE39ohJO-15TJjo8cd5efkrzl94FN8a21BLSITAHMgPRcRtDFJbt83ZtwPjsKaSGXXXLKnrAZxXU0MShrc2jES5fbbX4Gl5Ezn9ia641rOiUU/s400/IMG_0125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472199193803542002" border="0" /></a>It's so great to see someone with Claire's taste transform an old building and offer up a spot that you just don't see in this country very often. Very Bay Area with an E8 twist.<br /><br />Now can we start seeing some more of this please? I have a patio that needs inhabiting...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2Oh6HwcNp7JBVJrxJAxYjrRDp1rf9XJMa0YOEsGynoRm4l_VcRWLZqT5HCRf-qDXC4EjQkat7Iur-Ur3g0gIMnyEv0wsvEZcKG8ftl7dvcIHFeNdgch6Q2T3VNPztE2cDXp41AKOfAQ/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2Oh6HwcNp7JBVJrxJAxYjrRDp1rf9XJMa0YOEsGynoRm4l_VcRWLZqT5HCRf-qDXC4EjQkat7Iur-Ur3g0gIMnyEv0wsvEZcKG8ftl7dvcIHFeNdgch6Q2T3VNPztE2cDXp41AKOfAQ/s400/IMG_0054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472198211732718722" border="0" /></a>Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-39783759427235514542010-03-19T10:00:00.004+00:002010-03-19T10:16:24.451+00:00Brighton's 1st Ever Chocolate Festival This Weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNGxEEjxlXA3manOyq8CvPMaBp7IMPjn-CTg60iZqoPkDfPl7OmHqwbObn-HhRu5J3bwm2EfcywvwUjxINh-ixYd2LEVRds4fQE1eXV9ho2OXAY6CAAqncEHK_YDcAzr4q996hyphenhyphenweh-c/s1600-h/brighton-15.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNGxEEjxlXA3manOyq8CvPMaBp7IMPjn-CTg60iZqoPkDfPl7OmHqwbObn-HhRu5J3bwm2EfcywvwUjxINh-ixYd2LEVRds4fQE1eXV9ho2OXAY6CAAqncEHK_YDcAzr4q996hyphenhyphenweh-c/s400/brighton-15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450286186534992178" border="0" /></a><br />You have to come on down if you're anywhere near the pier or the promenade. It's going to be a hoot. We're getting ready to hurtle southwards, all saddled up with <span style="font-style: italic;">beaucoup de chocolat</span> for the first <a href="http://www.festivalchocolate.co.uk/index-brighton.html">Brighton Chocolate Festival.<br /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This w/e: Peruvian marching truffles, hot chocolate floats and other soothers, fudge brownies, Millionaire's shortbread and the return of the sundae!</span> Yes folks, that means<span style="font-weight: bold;"> ice cream </span>will be making its first real return to the Choc Star stage since...ages.<br /><br />Try as we might to maintain ice cream productivity during those bitter winter days, it was just too hard. Frozen people would stand waiting for the frozen cream to loosen up a little so that we might plunge a hot scoop all up in it. They waited and waited...but now, what with this new change of character in the climate, I think there could be a return to more scoopable days.<br /><br />Also attending this event will be two of my personal favourites, <a href="http://www.damianallsop.com/">Damian Allsop</a> and <a href="http://www.williamcurley.co.uk/engine/shop/index.html">William Curley</a>, along with fellow <a href="http://www.experimentalfoodsociety.com/index.html">Experimental Food Society</a> member, <a href="http://www.paulwaynegregory.com/">Paul Wayne Gregory</a>.<br /><br />Hope to see some of you there!Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-83768835904126576172010-03-16T12:44:00.009+00:002010-03-17T11:46:13.565+00:00Chocolate Thoughts from IndiaIn February I escaped from here. Accompanied by my darling mum and her narcoleptic friend, we high-tailed it off to India and a warmth that had seemed unimaginable in London. I retrieved some ghastly old gear from one of my charity shop-bound bags and swiftly gave it away on arrival in Mumbai - at once shedding not only winter encumbrances but all feelings of wanting to hibernate as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSld94aXnurfXkWTyQfe9V-XmEqjj_bt1FrawgIsLKXE_bp2VtefFk2m1zzpXhiyTLs0HUJejJ_9WLduvLoHnnF-9xgU7UDBXGvb4fxJYjtnA3FkCoHN58XmvRSNkCBobE_NoCq65HaU/s1600-h/IMG_6516.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSld94aXnurfXkWTyQfe9V-XmEqjj_bt1FrawgIsLKXE_bp2VtefFk2m1zzpXhiyTLs0HUJejJ_9WLduvLoHnnF-9xgU7UDBXGvb4fxJYjtnA3FkCoHN58XmvRSNkCBobE_NoCq65HaU/s400/IMG_6516.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449547632757985634" border="0" /></a><br />In between dealing with narcoleptic 'crashes' (quickly resolved with a ready lit cigarette) in busy places, pokey G&Ts and cramped, saddle-sore taxi rides, I threw myself into that city with zeal. It engulfed me with its thick heat, each noise and smell that rang out and clamoured towards me felt somehow cushioned.<br /><br />Safe. I felt safe. I felt like I could've gone anywhere and, though surrounded by so much and so many, I was just caught up in the horizontal life that everyone else was rumbling along in too. India for me was about a life lived in the open air - with all the grimness and magic that this entails.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46U7aU5nDS4BWBbb2_byVTJthCQRI-t1cP6IRoTcuyPY5R4KgNQP6S2CjBQTJMV-3ZiaBMs-HyDV5hGH24zeC3MeqO6gmrOSL1mMlROZUo4Rc4nP6QkPKVfTHPkd-vggq399nRqkFhJM/s1600-h/IMG_5873.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46U7aU5nDS4BWBbb2_byVTJthCQRI-t1cP6IRoTcuyPY5R4KgNQP6S2CjBQTJMV-3ZiaBMs-HyDV5hGH24zeC3MeqO6gmrOSL1mMlROZUo4Rc4nP6QkPKVfTHPkd-vggq399nRqkFhJM/s400/IMG_5873.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449547602887453346" border="0" /></a><br />In Crawford Market at the end of the day, there is the meat enclosure - dangling pieces of fraying red flesh providing a tennuous curtain for the bathing butchers in the background. Each one delighted to be washing clean the days blood.<br /><br />On Chowpatty Beach we picked past the burrowing rats and the soggy plastic bags to find families bedding down in smog-worn bivouacs, street hawkers plying <span style="font-style: italic;">bhel puri</span>, itinerant <span style="font-style: italic;">chai-wallahs</span> serving up beachside nectar and a whole swathe of neon-lit food shacks competing for your rupee by promising the best <span style="font-style: italic;">pau bhaji</span> on the strip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-faIwkyBAG78GDsj8GuBn20FMN129GCAEa7TvmfNC1wCkwkVur705fHjkfREU2WmdFDg6K8Fzahu3VA0aU0wI8epr6PA3tUqQuVIgPekIZrgW5BihwT9mEoXrGQD2K49SWe5pS2C_GM/s1600-h/IMG_6172.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-faIwkyBAG78GDsj8GuBn20FMN129GCAEa7TvmfNC1wCkwkVur705fHjkfREU2WmdFDg6K8Fzahu3VA0aU0wI8epr6PA3tUqQuVIgPekIZrgW5BihwT9mEoXrGQD2K49SWe5pS2C_GM/s400/IMG_6172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449547619985469154" border="0" /></a><br />I rode the trains from the Northern Mumbai suburbs to the gut of the city's established order in the South. How the view changed - from sprawling organised chaos to unfinished concrete structures; disused buildings, over-used <span style="font-style: italic;">chawls</span>, armpits in my face, warm sticky skin next to my warm sticky skin; hot breeze, funky odors, oiled hair, Bhangra ringtones...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruT93gnUDYbW9-aufllxu5TmIAQdQWobQ6qe7LHG5rFzOjo-rK1k7AMGqVuDMaSe3hW9G9xA7o0NRe-Z97ajl6HI6VH2aub6yAsMTrpnWoYkq5DGrK4hyfwSViD7rRZqd9KKgnxBJ_zQ/s1600-h/IMG_7363.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruT93gnUDYbW9-aufllxu5TmIAQdQWobQ6qe7LHG5rFzOjo-rK1k7AMGqVuDMaSe3hW9G9xA7o0NRe-Z97ajl6HI6VH2aub6yAsMTrpnWoYkq5DGrK4hyfwSViD7rRZqd9KKgnxBJ_zQ/s400/IMG_7363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449548854961360866" border="0" /></a><br />In Bandra chickens pick around in fresh soil under the shadow of Swarovski's Indian flagship and super handsome men serve<span style="font-style: italic;"> scamorza</span> risotto in a/c dominated cafes. And down at Oval Maidan are a hundred separate cricket matches being played by teams of varying size and ability - from full whites and trophy tent to sandals being used for wickets.<br /><br />And then there are the long distance trains! Nudging up against accommodating neighbours, the whole carriage seems animated. At each stop comes another opportunity to snack: vegetable cutlets, bhajis, pakoras, banana fritters, chai, ice cream, <span style="font-style: italic;">bhel puri</span>...and then there's lunch - a 35rp feast of vegetable biriani, curds and soup. Luckily those locomotives are long and I could walk it off by striding from carriage to carriage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKneH5LDWQJMY6F73ou9OWTSZt32HW89qZ241uMatnJIpCHwjJuZxJtSG1uEpgzR_leMXwG0xNiKqhiuHINPUzOTWa-aH10AlKJDHE0s0EjopqX2sonf_UH00G4LHYYZbCrjinVLPVNA/s1600-h/IMG_6931.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKneH5LDWQJMY6F73ou9OWTSZt32HW89qZ241uMatnJIpCHwjJuZxJtSG1uEpgzR_leMXwG0xNiKqhiuHINPUzOTWa-aH10AlKJDHE0s0EjopqX2sonf_UH00G4LHYYZbCrjinVLPVNA/s400/IMG_6931.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449548847012696162" border="0" /></a><br />There is much to say about India but what can't be ignored is the eating! From the land of impeccable, relentless service comes food - at all times, in all ways. We barely came up for air. In Goa we nyammed fish curry, millet fried mussels, tandoori Kingfish and real-deal pork vindaloo. We ate masala omelettes for breakfast, Goan bread, butter and jam, fruit salad, pancakes...<br /><br />Spicy, fragrant, rich and meaty, what I began to crave - and very quickly - was my beloved CHOCOLATE. Sometimes it just wasn't available save for a little pack of cookies bought from the shop. But I did what I could in the name of sweetness - here are some of the results:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJu5xq4DCWleNDKvGMyQZaCIodanac9UM3w4ihgExcbIqna4NPH1H6sKBUvbsGlN1QG9iRWmxkrO2GlPzxG7ZEt9_aOhMrvdr-3u6QKbkLNomeIRlNnix_2mjwJXKOXBDGQ9AAtbvpapw/s1600-h/IMG_5980.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJu5xq4DCWleNDKvGMyQZaCIodanac9UM3w4ihgExcbIqna4NPH1H6sKBUvbsGlN1QG9iRWmxkrO2GlPzxG7ZEt9_aOhMrvdr-3u6QKbkLNomeIRlNnix_2mjwJXKOXBDGQ9AAtbvpapw/s400/IMG_5980.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449212073360390546" border="0" /></a><br />I knew it was never going to blow me away but I had to try Trishna's take on the brownie sundae. Best things about it were that it was sweet and warm, otherwise a bit on the Grade D side of things.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODCdZ_aEqktl4nm54-XkBW15tB5q9iIzTJQy58zOHuh8CsY-JfSZbPlg8XXUywbsnyQeqYHkwL9a3hkoYHPxe-YkhB2O_ZEKmGgjV5KaEG8IqiKS9ZEjBhm9vfBYi8i2WdaNBhiqfX7g/s1600-h/IMG_6274.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODCdZ_aEqktl4nm54-XkBW15tB5q9iIzTJQy58zOHuh8CsY-JfSZbPlg8XXUywbsnyQeqYHkwL9a3hkoYHPxe-YkhB2O_ZEKmGgjV5KaEG8IqiKS9ZEjBhm9vfBYi8i2WdaNBhiqfX7g/s400/IMG_6274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449212683349079906" border="0" /></a><br />Train sweets - peanut clusters, bars, brittle. Kept us quiet for a bit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOY6UInbjNbqdCQtxH2m23GazyNlVhMZClnJp7wKu7lCiDgV5Worb0MP7uPwGshV2MzVPUlhhtVcedeMUMGR4EEprSJuf1-yOz0h2g2NA1CFT7ME-SIqlQhEQE4naKgb1oSkL5PG4riQ/s1600-h/IMG_6290.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOY6UInbjNbqdCQtxH2m23GazyNlVhMZClnJp7wKu7lCiDgV5Worb0MP7uPwGshV2MzVPUlhhtVcedeMUMGR4EEprSJuf1-yOz0h2g2NA1CFT7ME-SIqlQhEQE4naKgb1oSkL5PG4riQ/s400/IMG_6290.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449213573711453426" border="0" /></a><br />La Plage on Aswem Beach right at the top of Goa was such a nice surprise. Despite threats from encircling Russians and protection demands they are still turning out French-style desserts. This crepe with Nutella and toasted walnuts went perfectly with the '<span style="font-style: italic;">vanille fraiche</span>' Chantilly cream.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC4zu4LO6_xWf3FJsoZ-NL5PTHau2ZLP30bQFptJlDUn2iJFDqsBluC1RaEgkUy_1gisDClBv8rAwPWJev6OgFvOU7ZqbTkZgROahXKLXtcxhFwxc-gsEF9hJZX_QgnjJobPPY8Me9RA/s1600-h/IMG_6293.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC4zu4LO6_xWf3FJsoZ-NL5PTHau2ZLP30bQFptJlDUn2iJFDqsBluC1RaEgkUy_1gisDClBv8rAwPWJev6OgFvOU7ZqbTkZgROahXKLXtcxhFwxc-gsEF9hJZX_QgnjJobPPY8Me9RA/s400/IMG_6293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449213582908026434" border="0" /></a><br />But it was nothing next to the Captain Morgan flambeed bananas with iced white chocolate chaser. My God - I was in my clover!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvuS5jbXtWw8voOW9EB5p0AzQ192Ol9ucLaG6v-KCPulA9Ka9hP80b70idc1p0cTCp35-iEQbzObG9S0pOZmz3Q75XEKYw3e4wAIWDWNacT5-dH9rk0OgEP5-ChiNrhy5BQvMD4gcENY/s1600-h/IMG_6531.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvuS5jbXtWw8voOW9EB5p0AzQ192Ol9ucLaG6v-KCPulA9Ka9hP80b70idc1p0cTCp35-iEQbzObG9S0pOZmz3Q75XEKYw3e4wAIWDWNacT5-dH9rk0OgEP5-ChiNrhy5BQvMD4gcENY/s400/IMG_6531.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449214385251375394" border="0" /></a><br />Less successful was Monginis cake shop in Panjim. I loved Panjim in all its dusty, noisy, withered Colonial glory but this bakery didn't really cut it. I'd been sold the place as somewhere that made proper English biscuits so was pretty geed up. The mistake was taking this literally. I had a massive cake craving though so set about devouring as much of what was on offer as possible: dry, vanilla packed fairy cakes and some seriously plastic looking frosted layer cakes...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKezqcYmskhUwVojPKKno8pOhyphenhyphenuNcnUsYqr5bctQagF2AW3qMH7_9ttEMGuFkNI8xq_D5uTlnu8ocJcHEcvd1bEkrb39DXmGUvTmbbMxu-wukc3WGf5mSLRzkeVi8_1RxjNaZuR_DAFak/s1600-h/IMG_6533.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKezqcYmskhUwVojPKKno8pOhyphenhyphenuNcnUsYqr5bctQagF2AW3qMH7_9ttEMGuFkNI8xq_D5uTlnu8ocJcHEcvd1bEkrb39DXmGUvTmbbMxu-wukc3WGf5mSLRzkeVi8_1RxjNaZuR_DAFak/s400/IMG_6533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449214399041220738" border="0" /></a><br />We had about seven cakes between us, three bottles of Coke and it still only came to about 75p. I certainly sprang back onto those hectic streets with renewed vigor after that little session.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixG7Qq8za_fHE3JW3__VgIMSIQ7tDRYO9cNi1fM5RypleJg_AZwqZ1_ZorK9ZuuxEt7RPzTCQcU1CEPVerT-QvAQfbbzRwq9eEibuZ0NcBI6oP4wF5bM9aZv_RlQ4gb5lcglGlHdNO8Os/s1600-h/IMG_6612.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixG7Qq8za_fHE3JW3__VgIMSIQ7tDRYO9cNi1fM5RypleJg_AZwqZ1_ZorK9ZuuxEt7RPzTCQcU1CEPVerT-QvAQfbbzRwq9eEibuZ0NcBI6oP4wF5bM9aZv_RlQ4gb5lcglGlHdNO8Os/s400/IMG_6612.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449214412788878130" border="0" /></a><br />After a Thali that had no end we were nigh on spherical. Our distinguished looking head waiter with the lustrous white hair looked so crest-fallen when I declined the sweet option so I went for it. It was strawberry ice cream - lurid pink, bubblegum fruity. He was pleased anyway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi293Y5vD1XSEznkW0GyzuGkvicp_U3BQdef5lnyBi03yORiFr-pifgFc_ylpnwEqSFLl4Jx4k-QdbSwfnA8f_S71sYkrPqDjR0OM6UdSV2V9_upBEOGJmJZiRIqYDuiz_CIsrI7Pk53uc/s1600-h/IMG_6716.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi293Y5vD1XSEznkW0GyzuGkvicp_U3BQdef5lnyBi03yORiFr-pifgFc_ylpnwEqSFLl4Jx4k-QdbSwfnA8f_S71sYkrPqDjR0OM6UdSV2V9_upBEOGJmJZiRIqYDuiz_CIsrI7Pk53uc/s400/IMG_6716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449215321255381282" border="0" /></a><br />Aah, the pancakes! I'd forgotten how much I love and need pancakes. The best ones of the whole trip were above, at Casa Susegad in Loutolim (honey & banana) and the Nutella smothered beauties on Cola Beach. Sometimes I'd have three a day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsAcg4saNOJLXGpIwE0zNBgdMwxp53faHtj9XEGWtDHhEkQtoxivosEE03mxO09dOk_c1UCBspuiz3kaUD_yMOLDk1qvCuEgLftLuwoaZV7_7kEP6YfslGHnHhmPOFO_5YxFInD_kPLI/s1600-h/IMG_6888.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsAcg4saNOJLXGpIwE0zNBgdMwxp53faHtj9XEGWtDHhEkQtoxivosEE03mxO09dOk_c1UCBspuiz3kaUD_yMOLDk1qvCuEgLftLuwoaZV7_7kEP6YfslGHnHhmPOFO_5YxFInD_kPLI/s400/IMG_6888.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449215328132833026" border="0" /></a><br />Margao market, end of the day. Who will buy these bouquets of buttercream?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlr1c3nBmX4OrZum-ujm8at3m4OD6tK90R5Qbxa-ZIeOcygailoGkIikXkGU9h_SGfLWF67yD4tar0vQlyGZNqVcPOGvm6Ry_DqYcxmjx7CU8ZDhc9chJZiRhe_wbhrDS6cdpro9Z-nYw/s1600-h/IMG_6765.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlr1c3nBmX4OrZum-ujm8at3m4OD6tK90R5Qbxa-ZIeOcygailoGkIikXkGU9h_SGfLWF67yD4tar0vQlyGZNqVcPOGvm6Ry_DqYcxmjx7CU8ZDhc9chJZiRhe_wbhrDS6cdpro9Z-nYw/s400/IMG_6765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449548865653565074" border="0" /></a><br />Gujurati sweets given to my mum on her birthday. We looked at them, took them out of their box, took pictures of them, carried them round with us and eventually they were infiltrated by some particularly determined ants in our Rajasthani tent on the beach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkaXaCkTyJuXF5yahAa-HKtd1OVPz8g-CtHFIysHZmkGH3I0_da7b2NyJqpjlXMq5wsRRPc0yqH6787qKTWv-hDZlFXOFExj9TIwHA7yTPv0kodFMY3plq_ZcgTW_gGxKWofyjSE5t_4/s1600-h/IMG_7126.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkaXaCkTyJuXF5yahAa-HKtd1OVPz8g-CtHFIysHZmkGH3I0_da7b2NyJqpjlXMq5wsRRPc0yqH6787qKTWv-hDZlFXOFExj9TIwHA7yTPv0kodFMY3plq_ZcgTW_gGxKWofyjSE5t_4/s400/IMG_7126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449215337589434370" border="0" /></a><br />Off in the interior, living on a purely South Indian diet with no cookies or pancakes for gimmicks, I tucked into this Kheer most heartily. It's a kind of rice vermicelli take on rice pudding: Warm, buttery, cardamon scented it was welcomed after the fiery gobi curry. I think I had about three helpings. (The bowl was quite small).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pOrDnFTsKPsK6aGpvxJ9Euq2VgzoTWJf1_ptInQyuwxwm087L-4ZbOP1veqaPrdZHVbY0pwJpNz7xwcdkn7EvsAD0e6a-9TSAaUs5TiwGB0yxSQiT9JjNAswkx41qnfV6yASDmnQkHY/s1600-h/IMG_7088.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pOrDnFTsKPsK6aGpvxJ9Euq2VgzoTWJf1_ptInQyuwxwm087L-4ZbOP1veqaPrdZHVbY0pwJpNz7xwcdkn7EvsAD0e6a-9TSAaUs5TiwGB0yxSQiT9JjNAswkx41qnfV6yASDmnQkHY/s400/IMG_7088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449237672670791810" border="0" /></a><br />Hampi and backpackers' central. Quite a rude awakening after coasting between the lines for so long. Right along the river and through the moonlit drenched banana groves lay this barrage of reassurance for the homesick traveler.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczUnOoeSVdJSEMIJHuFT_RAi-UeySSbl4E0AsXhKsw9tAz2mFOmkSLaOMsfHvnVv2zWODYeGB5CPCVVK2IzfM-dc-WJJIO2Yg62UL1X4X9lcKCRXI01HdBPl_2RKJH1iVIGsX5JqHUOw/s1600-h/IMG_7308.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczUnOoeSVdJSEMIJHuFT_RAi-UeySSbl4E0AsXhKsw9tAz2mFOmkSLaOMsfHvnVv2zWODYeGB5CPCVVK2IzfM-dc-WJJIO2Yg62UL1X4X9lcKCRXI01HdBPl_2RKJH1iVIGsX5JqHUOw/s400/IMG_7308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449216336410441250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8JfbWXwlkgrQXrUOotw11tq21FpTT-pOV83ltK1ZR4hQ169qI1rHAkce2CErBeZ7szJC3wISs8XPqCCK4nJLphcMyMgDkrB2ECn-mJNBjFQy4_CHg4jbgFffSMdG4BBg3ZoNVpprMTA/s1600-h/IMG_7307.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8JfbWXwlkgrQXrUOotw11tq21FpTT-pOV83ltK1ZR4hQ169qI1rHAkce2CErBeZ7szJC3wISs8XPqCCK4nJLphcMyMgDkrB2ECn-mJNBjFQy4_CHg4jbgFffSMdG4BBg3ZoNVpprMTA/s400/IMG_7307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449216329237041890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TH_IyQ4KqNTFytw1RXilrep-nZ2Os998YTMMeg-MirNGbWoURPFfXXnR8Au09dmZ5p7c3OMSaqzwi1g5ISgz3_8l2rBt9Z96a_AHNrZMBQsK0OrKsHQZ8R6fyKtJ9E7XtjNLAE1q25A/s1600-h/IMG_7306.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TH_IyQ4KqNTFytw1RXilrep-nZ2Os998YTMMeg-MirNGbWoURPFfXXnR8Au09dmZ5p7c3OMSaqzwi1g5ISgz3_8l2rBt9Z96a_AHNrZMBQsK0OrKsHQZ8R6fyKtJ9E7XtjNLAE1q25A/s400/IMG_7306.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449216317133739106" border="0" /></a><br />Back in Mumbai we headed for the Salt Water Cafe in Bandra and none of us could resist the opportunity to eat flourless chocolate cake, chocolate and hazelnut torte or dark chocolate truffle cake. It was all a bit Sara Lee if we're being honest here but after tying a few Margaritas on none of us cared.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHH2K6ZEuxCzcfeizgOfN0J8gP9QqcleNR40kKUpcS5wYf_d9daf3ne1kbyDnXyE8qddRxTUKRQCkvsxxz8T12ACYBjzr5_o6V1aHSenBdCMCpTQHbQHxfpX0g06Ci-E5HJbpMfa_nk8/s1600-h/IMG_7393.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHH2K6ZEuxCzcfeizgOfN0J8gP9QqcleNR40kKUpcS5wYf_d9daf3ne1kbyDnXyE8qddRxTUKRQCkvsxxz8T12ACYBjzr5_o6V1aHSenBdCMCpTQHbQHxfpX0g06Ci-E5HJbpMfa_nk8/s400/IMG_7393.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449217004566692498" border="0" /></a><br />It's a bit embarrassing to admit this but, joined only by my Cola Beach pancakes, the most satisfying desserts for me on the whole Indian voyage were these two souffles from Indigo and Indigo Deli. For savouries there is no contest - I went wild for all that that country was dishing up - but for sweet things, for chocolatey things, the prize has to fall here: Vanilla souffle with bitter chocolate sauce plunged in by night; by day the bitter chocolate souffle with creme anglaise and a warm peanut butter cookie.<br /><br />I don't remember having better souffles for years.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCx6QGNoes5AABMaokk8Lnxa7qS-kAF7RNO0k_I5PgqJC9hdrsk54OoJ4aeeQYl2VtRL2akoCGfhGlyULpCmJ0ICHJAXbK08xPnVhI1mQApaQ6OSj1iiU5C8WwuzLf2Hd-YQZbT-LkBY/s1600-h/IMG_7463.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCx6QGNoes5AABMaokk8Lnxa7qS-kAF7RNO0k_I5PgqJC9hdrsk54OoJ4aeeQYl2VtRL2akoCGfhGlyULpCmJ0ICHJAXbK08xPnVhI1mQApaQ6OSj1iiU5C8WwuzLf2Hd-YQZbT-LkBY/s400/IMG_7463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449217016621782850" border="0" /></a>Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-86214279490372956292010-03-15T22:54:00.003+00:002010-03-15T23:29:05.946+00:00Introducing...The Experimental Food Society<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PlGOATOOaA22Qeqd_ZnAvRf5rLK6kCpGwMmcM27mEgR-zl-ULVHa_tAO603Hg-FWQa4K1ZG2xy3Kao8DcetrbAUGJjTkfzI3FM4N2tGA_uoj7hlfS0x577lVD0cV2HVWL3M1mSH2lBM/s1600-h/logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 83px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PlGOATOOaA22Qeqd_ZnAvRf5rLK6kCpGwMmcM27mEgR-zl-ULVHa_tAO603Hg-FWQa4K1ZG2xy3Kao8DcetrbAUGJjTkfzI3FM4N2tGA_uoj7hlfS0x577lVD0cV2HVWL3M1mSH2lBM/s400/logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449006485925255170" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hello choc fans. Please forgive the uncensorious lapse in time since my last post, it really is too rude. I went away you see; escaped the brittle clutch of a ghastly February and fled East. There will be pics of my (largely futile) attempts to consume choc whilst in India to follow, but I just wanted to draw attention to a wonderful new cause.<br /><br />As Britain charges along at full pelt with an ever-increasing choice of food festivals and food-related events, some have wanted to take the next step and progress things along a bit. It's not that we don't all love a good chutney stand or that cider stalls, goats cheese stalls, muesli stalls and onion bhaji mixes to-go don't pique our interest, it's just that we need a new slant now.<br /><br />And so to food PR and creative thinker Alexa Perrin. She has created the <a href="http://www.experimentalfoodsociety.com/index.html">Experimental Food Society</a> to showcase '<span style="font-style: italic;">a troupe of ground-breaking gourmet artists that demonstrate there is more to life than just swallowing</span>.<span style="font-style: italic;">'<br /></span><span><br />I am delighted that Choc Star has been asked</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, </span><span>along with </span><span>jelly rock n rollers <a href="http://www.jellymongers.co.uk/">Bompas & Parr</a>, <a href="http://therebeldiningsociety.co.uk/Rebeldining/tRDS.html">The Rebel Dining Society</a>, food adventurer (we like food adventurers) <a href="http://www.thegastronaut.com/index/Home/Home.html">Stefan Gates</a> and others who have come at food from new and exciting angles.<br /><br />Have a look at the website and look out for future events of which we'll all be a part. And if there are any tables groaning with jars of chutney please be assured that there'll be a lot more going on than water biscuit paddling.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-81394333457069352532010-01-28T15:15:00.004+00:002010-01-28T15:39:40.826+00:00Choc Star in SW4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXWWOWXt8ZlKN9TUou9ufiAzcHoDxV5SaOLjuMJaaeY6kC02ah-qIaUqL9kIG4-5M7QDfC5_3wXv_aSYJHrvwNLsrAZ648qGeJreDMHWG4U3EEmVKuqekU9YChyU_FbgznGBlCTfljlQ/s1600-h/sourced_logo_sml.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXWWOWXt8ZlKN9TUou9ufiAzcHoDxV5SaOLjuMJaaeY6kC02ah-qIaUqL9kIG4-5M7QDfC5_3wXv_aSYJHrvwNLsrAZ648qGeJreDMHWG4U3EEmVKuqekU9YChyU_FbgznGBlCTfljlQ/s400/sourced_logo_sml.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431809803893228850" border="0" /></a>There's a new market on Venn St in Clapham (map <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=73+Venn+St,+London+SW4,+UK&sll=51.463126,-0.138923&sspn=0.00627,0.018947&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=73+Venn+St,+London+SW4,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.462684,-0.137823&spn=0.00627,0.018947&z=16">HERE</a>) - Sourced have branched out from festivals and are now running this new street market and it's full of goodies! As well as choc treats from us there will be cheese from <a href="http://www.nealsyarddairy.co.uk/">Neil's Yard</a>, fine pieces of meat from <a href="http://www.moen.co.uk/">Moen's</a>, fragrant delights from <a href="http://www.arabicafoodandspice.com/">Arabica</a>, plus others who know what they're doing when it comes to the mangia.<br /><br />Choc Star, on account of Jimmy's length and girth, will be down the end of the street holding it all together, (reggae, hot chocolate, truffs - you know the drill). If it goes well we'll be making the short journey from Brixton to Clapham every last weekend of the month.<br /><br />Hope to see you over there - this Friday and Saturday: 12pm-7pm.Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-18043356217165195292010-01-15T13:07:00.003+00:002010-01-15T13:26:21.697+00:00Spacemakers in Brixton Village this Weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFPECMFlRai1-GCQ04FTkegeaGOmaqBGT_h6mAWCGRsKPnhdGV__wv4dulLKBM9bVQ-6f1CGk2X5UFByRisKNyV__spmQTaXMFx1jAEyx_PjP7npFty6HuVzRUU0TQ0ygrhNu5P92wus/s1600-h/TEA+PARTY%282%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFPECMFlRai1-GCQ04FTkegeaGOmaqBGT_h6mAWCGRsKPnhdGV__wv4dulLKBM9bVQ-6f1CGk2X5UFByRisKNyV__spmQTaXMFx1jAEyx_PjP7npFty6HuVzRUU0TQ0ygrhNu5P92wus/s400/TEA+PARTY%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426952867308821762" border="0" /></a>There's some fun stuff happening this weekend in SW9 - Spacemakers have taken control of the wonderful, disused gem that is Granville Arcade in Brixton Village and turned it upside its head!<br /><br />All this empty space, all these bright ideas - Saturday 16th January will see all sorts of tasty shenanigans rocking the 1930s lot: A Mad Hatter's Tea Party hosted by Bridget of <a href="http://www.wildcaper.co.uk/">Wild Caper </a>with myself, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/London-United-Kingdom/Saltoun-Supper-Club/68722184329">Arno</a>, <a href="http://www.magpievintage.co.uk/acatalog/Edwina_ibbotson_Magpie_Vintage_collection.html">Edwina</a> and <a href="http://www.rareteacompany.com/">Henrietta</a> adding to the mix.<br /><br />Also, <a href="http://marmitelover.blogspot.com/">Ms Marmite Lover</a>'s pop-up lunch, <a href="http://travelswithmyfork.blogspot.com/">Travels With My Fork</a> Mexican pop-up, Etta's Seafood Restaurant, The Olive Tree delights from Morocco, Jerk, Colombiano cantinas, cake designing, Ghanaian sweets,<a href="http://www.site.transitiontownbrixton.org/"> Transition Town</a> activities and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=236545732205&ref=ts">a whole load more...</a><br /><br />I'll be serving mini hot chocolates, truffles, mini Trilli bites and Willie's cacao. We're at No. 40 - hope to see you there!Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-54762164176680705852009-11-19T19:56:00.004+00:002009-11-19T20:16:04.773+00:00All that Jazz - Slow Food Market this weekend.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVed_w1Wk0ccOmuLaB9SIOBwDV8wskH0MDifdcJ77l9JnH8ekGHqWWpfiv67nK9VekxPHzMx5Rkob15zT6igM8GililVGEZdlIs3ipH_Gh-RSP0TFMOMteatcYNq7WtWEzNNOKMGQ7Aw/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 86px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVed_w1Wk0ccOmuLaB9SIOBwDV8wskH0MDifdcJ77l9JnH8ekGHqWWpfiv67nK9VekxPHzMx5Rkob15zT6igM8GililVGEZdlIs3ipH_Gh-RSP0TFMOMteatcYNq7WtWEzNNOKMGQ7Aw/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405906216876317538" border="0" /></a>Hi ravers...and jazz heads - this weekend has your names all over it: <a href="http://slowfoodlondon.blogs.com/general/2009/11/slow-food-and-all-that-jazz-november-market.html">Slow Food Market + jazz</a> - imagine!<br /><br />I'm not much of a jazz head but I love a good bit of live horn action on the piazza - and it makes a great backdrop for chocolate...<br /><br />This weekend we will be serving special Choc Star hot chocolates (yeah, they'll be special all right - for those that know what to ask for), High-Rise Millionaire's shortbread with salted caramel, toasted walnut fudge brownies, Venezuelan hot chocolate shots and Peruvian <a href="http://www.makersmark.com/LegalAge.aspx?Referrer=http%3a%2f%2fwww.makersmark.com%2findex.aspx%3fpgid%3d23">Maker's Mark</a> infused truffles. Oh, and chocolate bars of varying percentages.<br /><br />Parp parp!<br /><br />The Slow Food Market takes place on Southbank Square on the road side of the Southbank Centre, SE1.Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-60414182061883370302009-11-12T13:59:00.004+00:002009-11-12T14:34:45.776+00:00Getting Involved<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD2Ng17a8waS36ISLKDkr6ipkReR1gex3Sjqv2m0zqiVncuWX6kG-0qiwvcSxHUfnYfcuhN5ncgWImKEku1APUhi96FWwo9V-ymuaKfNsFRvE6ezIRriTvxaGudI38yPNPnn5IFDwrS0/s1600-h/6a00d8341cd4a653ef0120a64bcc78970b-pi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD2Ng17a8waS36ISLKDkr6ipkReR1gex3Sjqv2m0zqiVncuWX6kG-0qiwvcSxHUfnYfcuhN5ncgWImKEku1APUhi96FWwo9V-ymuaKfNsFRvE6ezIRriTvxaGudI38yPNPnn5IFDwrS0/s400/6a00d8341cd4a653ef0120a64bcc78970b-pi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403216814654723538" border="0" /></a><br />A five course dining extravaganza is occurring. On Sunday night at <a href="http://www.thehawksmoor.com/">Hawksmoor</a>, home of some of the tastiest pieces of meat in town, some lucky folks are in store for a serious treat.<br /><br />Organised by the ever energetic Niamh of <a href="http://eatlikeagirl.com/">Eat Like a Girl</a> and headed up in the kitchen by <a href="http://scandilicious.blogspot.com/">Scandilicious powerhouse Sig</a>, the night gives London food and drink bloggers' the chance to leverage their blagging capabilities and drum up a whole load of goodies for the very good cause that is <a href="http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/">Action Against Hunger</a>.<br /><br />Suppliers from far and wide have given generously to the calls of the bloggers/blaggers in order that such a feast can be laid on and numerous prizes be bid for. If you'd like to come and be part of the giving - whilst getting to indulge in all the deliciousness as the same time - <a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/blaggersbanquet/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25">head here to buy tickets.</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2baQme7hE-S3OoZI0TEABVq91nDGk_CRrFod5lFRt612YD8jdRioWokN0Jeja3Lqa28QVjHypay4Ym9udNKWtgM-DwFG1lZqAq0F5a0sU8PSI3L_5aN_Fic0fp4ojy6h54ScLIMm7SA/s1600-h/IMG_2702.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2baQme7hE-S3OoZI0TEABVq91nDGk_CRrFod5lFRt612YD8jdRioWokN0Jeja3Lqa28QVjHypay4Ym9udNKWtgM-DwFG1lZqAq0F5a0sU8PSI3L_5aN_Fic0fp4ojy6h54ScLIMm7SA/s400/IMG_2702.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403224633550899170" border="0" /></a>Choc Star's donation is experiential.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> I have pledged to turn up at any location in metropolitan London and serve dessert from the choc-mobile to a dinner party of 12</span> - date to be decided between us and valid for one whole year.<br /><br />Imagine that!Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-23475890519589310182009-11-10T09:44:00.025+00:002009-11-10T14:20:20.566+00:00I heart New York like WOAH!I arrived back from my New York trip two weeks ago - and haven't quite known how to tackle the task of explaining in any meaningful way quite what went on over there. It's like this: take a person (me) who has a massive sweet tooth, dispatch them to a city that was founded on sugar, pique that person's curiosity with hundreds of tips, articles, blogs and general heresay and then set them loose for three weeks to rampage the streets and devour all in sight.<br /><br />Of course it wasn't just sugar I was shovelling - but savoury stuff can be discussed elsewhere. This is the sweet spot and it was as evil as it was good.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jb4WdEzgicVyotKSA6bqwAUUWlLp0TGrbxc-dI4jcUkrJnHYlOyeGmyLBw7mRU4QP85VIR2KSOXRv4IccSpULvojZpRQcDa7ur9mfdo72g8sqvBz49qMmfLH58MIuFxAlg-JqtYjxRA/s1600-h/IMG_3953.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jb4WdEzgicVyotKSA6bqwAUUWlLp0TGrbxc-dI4jcUkrJnHYlOyeGmyLBw7mRU4QP85VIR2KSOXRv4IccSpULvojZpRQcDa7ur9mfdo72g8sqvBz49qMmfLH58MIuFxAlg-JqtYjxRA/s400/IMG_3953.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402422153805623618" border="0" /></a>Not that <a href="http://www.biggayicecreamtruck.com/">The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck's</a> famous 'Choinkwich' didn't deliver a stealthy layer of salt. I tracked the highly amusing Doug down in Union Square on his last day of trading for the summer. He was holed up in the truck, dipping and grinding - thrusting out of his hatch all manner of precarious and obscene looking ice cream snacks.<br /><br />I went straight for the Choinkwich. I needed to know. Between two crunchy choc cookies were voluptuous layers of chocolate soft-serve, on top of which, stretched out in a translucence that was awkward, lay two slices of streaky bacon. I got stuck in, the soft-serve exploding out of either side of the cookies, a crumble, then into the fatty fronds. A kind of glycerined saltiness prevailed, then grease. Grease alongside cold, creamy choc - and cookie crumbs all up in my new Brooklyn nails. I thanked him for the experience and got the hell out of there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZKNzGSnHpYvF9SKQJ5CRUcX7igBqy3cPe1JXKs4kPY7zYkLPOU50SxU-gSRTwJ2KXgBA5hm6Ji7AeP_KBa-5gmbKCfzokrTdLR57szEPmnf7CZGT66-iLAvIkiz3zRJVvPd_VYdnhhs/s1600-h/IMG_5053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZKNzGSnHpYvF9SKQJ5CRUcX7igBqy3cPe1JXKs4kPY7zYkLPOU50SxU-gSRTwJ2KXgBA5hm6Ji7AeP_KBa-5gmbKCfzokrTdLR57szEPmnf7CZGT66-iLAvIkiz3zRJVvPd_VYdnhhs/s400/IMG_5053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402421161389014914" border="0" /></a>My friend Josh who I stayed with in Williamsburg introduced me to his favourite restaurant in all of New York. All the way down Grand St, under the tracks and to this really odd, pointy little building lies <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/moto-brooklyn">Moto</a>, sold to me as 'just like the restaurant in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYo_SkERMNI&feature=related">Delicatessen</a>'. Three of us were given a table for two. A gravel voiced guy sang Ragtime with his group. Questionable items dangled from the ceiling and the lighting was LOW. The grilled donuts came after pudding - we couldn't resist those soft, sugared mounds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8vYjpfIoY3SBc_v4pC4EuKo5oq3lWAFKJBcAZA1NDb-SaWbn2IfYy0Z6DIFu2rG6CZeNwXJZDxP7MUOdkq1ibZmJ3JGlTEDRM62oNF6AU0hAXQNhMgWF79Klx4O8efoAckc83JwY5-s/s1600-h/IMG_4974.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8vYjpfIoY3SBc_v4pC4EuKo5oq3lWAFKJBcAZA1NDb-SaWbn2IfYy0Z6DIFu2rG6CZeNwXJZDxP7MUOdkq1ibZmJ3JGlTEDRM62oNF6AU0hAXQNhMgWF79Klx4O8efoAckc83JwY5-s/s400/IMG_4974.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402420574844775170" border="0" /></a>Uptown in West Harlem on a grey, hungover day. I cut through Morningside Park at just the right side of daylight and then chanced upon <a href="http://www.makemycake2.com/">Make My Cake</a> - a contender for best red velvet cake in New York. I'd already had <a href="http://www.cakemanraven.com/">Cake Man Raven</a>'s in Brooklyn so thought I'd give it a whirl. I loved both but there was something about the cosiness of this spot on 116th St that got me all caught up by the cake - and all those other cartoon-like extravaganzas in the counter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VR6M9lw3WRu5cBwCvx5A_0_AHNL13VHjGvyec_wXF-jljlQcnbY6O0Orj1yZkYRtfmlrhDGabdDIgcBmk94z7mRITTTFcNHnnB_SOZOW5yxQPwi7qlVyf2x7lyP_v2t0LotKrV8Zg9k/s1600-h/IMG_4917.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VR6M9lw3WRu5cBwCvx5A_0_AHNL13VHjGvyec_wXF-jljlQcnbY6O0Orj1yZkYRtfmlrhDGabdDIgcBmk94z7mRITTTFcNHnnB_SOZOW5yxQPwi7qlVyf2x7lyP_v2t0LotKrV8Zg9k/s400/IMG_4917.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402420022839488642" border="0" /></a>Frozen custard. Those two words are like a great jolt of joy to my entire system. The <a href="http://shakeshack.com/">Shake Shack</a> was high on my list of places to check out - but when we got to the front of the line I froze. How the frick was I supposed to make one choice? I went for a malted chocolate shake in the end. We hauled our orders over to a table and then set about the challenging task of sucking up what was essentially a pint of ice cream - with perhaps a 5 second blast in the microwave. Fat bitch!...but rich and delicious and full of (naughty)goodness.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhqgLoYIYuF-7NUfxbp8Yyy-F30NSDPCIvI1KqfCFOGDjmY-AlV3qI6EpIU-cvvFJXmYSYB1_v3BjM7NFE51rP-h8kYOvZNMYvMFHNlpcGq-RENpnE6m7q3EW9Qcvlv4UHiXBVn7LSjM/s1600-h/IMG_4807.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhqgLoYIYuF-7NUfxbp8Yyy-F30NSDPCIvI1KqfCFOGDjmY-AlV3qI6EpIU-cvvFJXmYSYB1_v3BjM7NFE51rP-h8kYOvZNMYvMFHNlpcGq-RENpnE6m7q3EW9Qcvlv4UHiXBVn7LSjM/s400/IMG_4807.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402418790451852898" border="0" /></a>Someone told me about <a href="http://www.roni-sue.com/">Roni Sue</a> and her Pig Candy when I was in <a href="http://chocstarblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/literary-chocolatey-paris.html">Paris</a>. Here she was in a little shop in Essex Street Market in the heart of the super Jewish Lower East Side peddling choc-covered bacon. Apparently her sales go soaring right before Passover. Originally sold by her neighbour (and Steve Buscemi look-a-like <a href="http://grandstreetnews.com/scripts/grand/paper/Article.asp?ArticleID=874">Jeffrey the butcher</a>), the Pig Candy really caught on and now she's one of the market's main attractions. I tucked into a maple and bacon lollipop and bought some hog choc for the good folk back home (not really my kinda thing as it turned out but great for the looks on people's faces when they receive it).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2awH15kT-bhyNerbMmmUy6Hj14eTY4m34PCmFGILqaFALt4mePA4ty-Kd4C3rjBmptQJl21zwryK9PyoWyeIXRaPMu4pE6nam0FgRA_isp21JULObxyxSxOwimt3QIeYVX_4DKH4EyAg/s1600-h/IMG_4790.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2awH15kT-bhyNerbMmmUy6Hj14eTY4m34PCmFGILqaFALt4mePA4ty-Kd4C3rjBmptQJl21zwryK9PyoWyeIXRaPMu4pE6nam0FgRA_isp21JULObxyxSxOwimt3QIeYVX_4DKH4EyAg/s400/IMG_4790.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402418249928203618" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.clintonstreetbaking.com/">Clinton Street Bakery</a>: home of the city's best blueberry pancakes. I've had a thing about short stacks ever since being taken to California in the '80s. I was then removed from my new spiritual home and taken on a hippy trek round Mexico via brake-less buses. The highlight for me was whenever we got to stay in 'American style' hotels and I got to re-live my diner dreams. These ones were giant, pillowey discus' of berry studded perfection, drenched - so as to make each 'cake lousy with syrup - in warm maple butter.<br /><br />Needless to say my walking style took on a heavy waddle character for the next two hours and totally hindered my eat/walk ratio for the rest of the morning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-tlsJdslOXiQbEF6c-2B7CfRqea8SP4waymJtEzg_EuWfbJupHNE26yoVfI9WScdxPUoeGWaHISMJQDlMP7XuRf-kUYg5UGXj0iepBxSNx_lDRs26Ls2IP5LqUZS1VUuEqVbG3J9bBo/s1600-h/IMG_4641.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-tlsJdslOXiQbEF6c-2B7CfRqea8SP4waymJtEzg_EuWfbJupHNE26yoVfI9WScdxPUoeGWaHISMJQDlMP7XuRf-kUYg5UGXj0iepBxSNx_lDRs26Ls2IP5LqUZS1VUuEqVbG3J9bBo/s400/IMG_4641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402417702179204002" border="0" /></a>Hungover in Williamsburg, en route to Queens - a <a href="http://www.vanleeuwenicecream.com/">Van Leewan</a> ice cream truck appeared. Unable to consume coffee for fear of feeling like the the end of the world is nigh for the next six hours, I went for the next best thing: a scoop of espresso ice cream. It got me all the way to Greenpoint - a wonderful, warm October day, striding along thinking I was doing ok - before dumping me as soon as I'd finished it, into the truth of the matter: wretchedness.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4v5FwbK7VWP9KVEk1zfh5k0S6kSQhHXHZ5w4nqBV1PWQ4AU24HgwfKKidYkSItbTTnlJbj5ITGTOv9Q6yUUL6o2H6SaQyXO5b8dQfMvKKf4TSlLwUnNxx_8BvxKaloRc2RddkOJZJxE/s1600-h/IMG_4602.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4v5FwbK7VWP9KVEk1zfh5k0S6kSQhHXHZ5w4nqBV1PWQ4AU24HgwfKKidYkSItbTTnlJbj5ITGTOv9Q6yUUL6o2H6SaQyXO5b8dQfMvKKf4TSlLwUnNxx_8BvxKaloRc2RddkOJZJxE/s400/IMG_4602.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402416730886023042" border="0" /></a>I picked up this pecan Chelsea Bun from the hottest baker in Bristol, Rhode Island. Well, that's what I was told anyway. The bun was like a meal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgszIVFz9R0Z2tZ9QfJFtCPQN3Xju72EK6LgLxQ_QBr0o2ifHR_gK_P2-mjJ0IlubhvnsWtmCKMYtNfNODIDIYaVNMkg9y5q8Js7yrK30f8ZM1t2Un9CT09OvynEe7MWI6n8FfZHLv_2w/s1600-h/IMG_4855.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgszIVFz9R0Z2tZ9QfJFtCPQN3Xju72EK6LgLxQ_QBr0o2ifHR_gK_P2-mjJ0IlubhvnsWtmCKMYtNfNODIDIYaVNMkg9y5q8Js7yrK30f8ZM1t2Un9CT09OvynEe7MWI6n8FfZHLv_2w/s400/IMG_4855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402419444626797042" border="0" /></a>My pal <a href="http://www.doshermanos.co.uk/">Simon</a> urged me to visit <a href="http://www.mariobatali.com/restaurants_otto.cfm">Otto</a>. 'Forget about the mains' he said, 'straight for the gelato'. I almost took heed but can almost never turn down a plate of rigatoni with salsicce, so began with that. It was damn good and a perfectly manageable size, which was unusual. Then to the gelato: salted caramel, milk choc-chip and olive oil with Maldon sea salt. Meredith Kurtzman is New York's best ice creamist according to <a href="http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/233067">many</a>. It was light, super smooth, intensely, cooly flavoured and really pepped me up for the hike uptown that afternoon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx0ZblOOunkp88EhwfPJxxnAPYvrXSdy-qm65TxJljaEKLhAZvDIRupnD7t1-aoAOGc-qR-9oldYfEQshb-Jw-PF16OgYbvq3oZfTf2Fr4zpCeBcCPY-8NR4sHm3Fh1OHrlJ2s9jNl14/s1600-h/IMG_4490.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx0ZblOOunkp88EhwfPJxxnAPYvrXSdy-qm65TxJljaEKLhAZvDIRupnD7t1-aoAOGc-qR-9oldYfEQshb-Jw-PF16OgYbvq3oZfTf2Fr4zpCeBcCPY-8NR4sHm3Fh1OHrlJ2s9jNl14/s400/IMG_4490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402416255772533378" border="0" /></a>A tray of pecan blondies from Kim's fabulous <a href="http://www.treatstruck.com/">Treats Truck</a>. We became fast friends as soon as the words 'choc treats from a van' were mentioned. It was so fascinating being in someone elses mobile sweet zone. Kim is a proper grafter and as much as I put in the hours at all sorts of unsociable times, this girl never stops. Her chocolate chip cookies were my ideal kind: chewy, extra buttery and studded with deep, dark, fruity choc chips.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE-iwfmhu4hF7SXh6-dADWEUY0Z3PiaZv8Fg1YveaCyIhbZSwBfDTpx_3piBzkeg1WbpZ8EtSTDEYUokSHEBgTjPBHr3R6hGUY2OoMEdGf-2B_DqUaPOEdk3w3cmzW264AIGT4Dafobo/s1600-h/IMG_4496.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE-iwfmhu4hF7SXh6-dADWEUY0Z3PiaZv8Fg1YveaCyIhbZSwBfDTpx_3piBzkeg1WbpZ8EtSTDEYUokSHEBgTjPBHr3R6hGUY2OoMEdGf-2B_DqUaPOEdk3w3cmzW264AIGT4Dafobo/s400/IMG_4496.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402466273634270946" border="0" /></a>And as for her peanut butter cookie sandwiches...fugeddaboudit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkPPRDyghFMXeolleGUHwgFdoLTqPimgQO0HaHufhdn60hluDHmS0ZtqLpDRZ55MSCSMMTf_N3PU80bHeN8zsHVbz8X_rhu1SdGPNd8Qkxz6tDhe21QynvpN7CZ7vRxkkGku6PNIjLi8/s1600-h/IMG_4353.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkPPRDyghFMXeolleGUHwgFdoLTqPimgQO0HaHufhdn60hluDHmS0ZtqLpDRZ55MSCSMMTf_N3PU80bHeN8zsHVbz8X_rhu1SdGPNd8Qkxz6tDhe21QynvpN7CZ7vRxkkGku6PNIjLi8/s400/IMG_4353.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402479490448908690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpVEyPghPN3XG10-OWWRYR-RFsHSvM8_bfHTleORegwEghujttImGu6i-Ci9sI947yy6EMZeER3BeOn0o43s_vC3Ar7jpnpbYT6sUUf4eM0ia3hU6U7U5ZCZMORdm1fAXPRnUL0pBQfg/s1600-h/IMG_4480.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpVEyPghPN3XG10-OWWRYR-RFsHSvM8_bfHTleORegwEghujttImGu6i-Ci9sI947yy6EMZeER3BeOn0o43s_vC3Ar7jpnpbYT6sUUf4eM0ia3hU6U7U5ZCZMORdm1fAXPRnUL0pBQfg/s400/IMG_4480.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402415748660107890" border="0" /></a>One of my inspirations for beginning Choc Star happened when I was last in New York. A visit to <a href="http://www.mariebelle.com/">Mariebelle</a> and a taste of their Aztec hot chocolate really got me thinking about our own, largely hopeless hot chocolate offerings over here. It was small, powerful, spicy and gave me that inside grrrr that makes the world seem right. That was five years ago when my taste buds were perhaps a bit less focussed. This time, I'm sad to say, the hot choc tasted like it was from a packet - albeit a far superior packet than an Options or Galaxy sachet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcE_fwXLp3cW9HJ4c2CAchJBqkVLzOd8bZljrJdYvRMgZwMnSsU1xf8IIBAbDGj0toLGifboxkrOZerGJV0XvlHG-G8mJIYL3WpGgZBRBy4k62-rcgbIqbhVO83-m4Mz6uco2YTOXGaY/s1600-h/IMG_4459.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcE_fwXLp3cW9HJ4c2CAchJBqkVLzOd8bZljrJdYvRMgZwMnSsU1xf8IIBAbDGj0toLGifboxkrOZerGJV0XvlHG-G8mJIYL3WpGgZBRBy4k62-rcgbIqbhVO83-m4Mz6uco2YTOXGaY/s400/IMG_4459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402414880318246914" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.pigandegg.com/">Egg, a diner </a>round the corner from where I was staying was a revelation. A bit rock n roll, brilliant service, warm, inviting and serving almost wholly egg related dishes. Pancakes, waffles, biscuits, Chelsea Buns, omelettes and great big doorsteps of brioche French toast. If you're feeling cheeky (I was) then you can get a grapefruit Mimosa to help things along. We didn't want to leave.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKq2IAetPeZPOwB2Q5kiJ-ConZkkJtN8XQauML4XWvdXMc8SN6tFKbQRJAi6-fgI3sN09ckjsRc02IFSzhzCeK7BHu9Jg3Mtlep19GP-SLR78xl5V4wF3y-pePG_cq2HeB1ECQBN4_iRY/s1600-h/IMG_4426.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKq2IAetPeZPOwB2Q5kiJ-ConZkkJtN8XQauML4XWvdXMc8SN6tFKbQRJAi6-fgI3sN09ckjsRc02IFSzhzCeK7BHu9Jg3Mtlep19GP-SLR78xl5V4wF3y-pePG_cq2HeB1ECQBN4_iRY/s400/IMG_4426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402413499384609410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0fTVPEHWnDhgMGP1Iq24NWIeJXD2Fso-HJdIRVpxIs6xxXmRn2mqs3cTuiQLB0dFdHi_QG8FQv6F2kcpxqk1McOIlbC0OKWuFYm3lnBKsQFZo7o_LmxidM21FFSCgt19qHa1qL7x1Hg/s1600-h/IMG_4436.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0fTVPEHWnDhgMGP1Iq24NWIeJXD2Fso-HJdIRVpxIs6xxXmRn2mqs3cTuiQLB0dFdHi_QG8FQv6F2kcpxqk1McOIlbC0OKWuFYm3lnBKsQFZo7o_LmxidM21FFSCgt19qHa1qL7x1Hg/s400/IMG_4436.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402414337486114370" border="0" /></a>Things got kind of strange at <a href="http://www.momofuku.com/milkbar/milkbarmenu.asp">Momofuku Milk Bar</a>. There we were, sheltering from the horrific, whipping rain and just up for a small slice of something each...when the order got messed up and they decided to bend over backwards to make it better by giving us one of practically everything on the menu. We got compost cookies (pretzels, potato chips, coffee, oats, butterscotch, chocolate chips), candy bar pie (chocolate crust, caramel, peanut butter nougat, pretzels), cereal milk flavour soft serve, cornflake choc-chip cookies, more soft serve and then...CRACK PIE.<br /><br />I'd heard talk of this stuff all the way over in Brooklyn. It was described to me as like taking all the pecans and the pie crust out of a pecan pie and then turning up the volume on that...stuff in the middle. What we were confronted with was a pie made entirely out of sugar, save for a delicate lacing of rolled oats, there to give the impression of a base.<br /><br />I'd nearly finished it before I remembered to take a pic - and was wired for the next thirty minutes, whereupon I wanted more. That's how it works.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwjmvqfyKpV7GP0xzODf5y0_SE0mu9RpTphgsYUKwEo4BKGUBOKannjW4Sv-3Dft5h4xHG2OS9EtqQEMqVq7ovV5isw5KlL6c3-pfgPJ8X_49tZrbQNk22FOOT2oYzG_D_ZTNnsv6vMM/s1600-h/IMG_4433.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwjmvqfyKpV7GP0xzODf5y0_SE0mu9RpTphgsYUKwEo4BKGUBOKannjW4Sv-3Dft5h4xHG2OS9EtqQEMqVq7ovV5isw5KlL6c3-pfgPJ8X_49tZrbQNk22FOOT2oYzG_D_ZTNnsv6vMM/s400/IMG_4433.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402417336428700162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCm3ryq45yOy_wXK7ZT639xuycL00hDqhtD4ZvxX6MwTIq3cljWqF2pyYt0lgYfVDGMIxk7vLFJw6OAZ4VbPiTpE5X3-CryfuH3WkTwV7j8fT0NrsPdjPbb_hmd1LWCrWDjnLQ97Oc1M/s1600-h/IMG_4410.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCm3ryq45yOy_wXK7ZT639xuycL00hDqhtD4ZvxX6MwTIq3cljWqF2pyYt0lgYfVDGMIxk7vLFJw6OAZ4VbPiTpE5X3-CryfuH3WkTwV7j8fT0NrsPdjPbb_hmd1LWCrWDjnLQ97Oc1M/s400/IMG_4410.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402412919598272786" border="0" /></a>Sweet potato and pie crust flavour bowls of soft-serve in <a href="http://www.momofuku.com/noodle/default.asp">Momofuku Noodle Bar</a>. Pie crust :), sweet potato not so much.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggs4zMMIeUIqa8iutjHrGyVp331-D8Ak0bbKrtDDHGBqD7R1MTTSG7XPLetKcIe0sYgdUM1xCNmo0hTZNZZLSNiLegGGNCU8gtKfFXpyoV-g4fsOM4sBdPz-Qn9DBTYws1btmCLp40yB4/s1600-h/IMG_4300.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggs4zMMIeUIqa8iutjHrGyVp331-D8Ak0bbKrtDDHGBqD7R1MTTSG7XPLetKcIe0sYgdUM1xCNmo0hTZNZZLSNiLegGGNCU8gtKfFXpyoV-g4fsOM4sBdPz-Qn9DBTYws1btmCLp40yB4/s400/IMG_4300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402410990956959122" border="0" /></a>Chocolate bread pudding at the <a href="http://www.hudsonhotel.com/#/home/">Hudson</a>. We sat in this strange Harry Potter-esque hall with long banquet tables and enormous high-backed chairs, dining on the finest mac 'n' cheese and chicken Caesar salad. We shared the pud - I ate most of it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsijvVU9kI_2TVzljBBx2pEAxPoo7V_tCHkVzygHWbT3CTNi13uHu6wn6BfIQ_D_H-Zb1yyvrqhkURmjvXdcOPN_OW17zL_SNz70P1Y8v7BiZw2LTRSOIjoPiXf2Xy5HDkltjxmOVWue4/s1600-h/IMG_3999.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsijvVU9kI_2TVzljBBx2pEAxPoo7V_tCHkVzygHWbT3CTNi13uHu6wn6BfIQ_D_H-Zb1yyvrqhkURmjvXdcOPN_OW17zL_SNz70P1Y8v7BiZw2LTRSOIjoPiXf2Xy5HDkltjxmOVWue4/s400/IMG_3999.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402410101394459426" border="0" /></a>Chocolate and peanut butter ice cream from <a href="http://www.emackandbolios.com/">Emack & Bolios</a> in the West Village. The woman really tried to hard sell me these freaks of nature...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHzfBDB4gTFZMwDTQe8BqBvLXugzGJS5J-a7hl4ip-nWhkPA9eMcz8BOi5wIC-fiZKRODGBbbV-0foOihv94rHGOHyd2GEC9eRnsvYf06Ju6RAS2HI5PAPGN8yswqDMYbxn879fkCI3I/s1600-h/IMG_3995.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHzfBDB4gTFZMwDTQe8BqBvLXugzGJS5J-a7hl4ip-nWhkPA9eMcz8BOi5wIC-fiZKRODGBbbV-0foOihv94rHGOHyd2GEC9eRnsvYf06Ju6RAS2HI5PAPGN8yswqDMYbxn879fkCI3I/s400/IMG_3995.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402409559950693250" border="0" /></a>...but I said 'Listen lady, that is just a bridge too far'.<br /><br />There were all sorts of other treats I managed to find space for in my body but think I'd be pushing it to fit on here. The long and the short of it is that New York is a mecca for all kinds of sweetness. You can't move without seeing a heavy frosted cupcake or a big bulging Rice Krispie treat. Ice cream parlours are round every corner and open til way late at night and I've never seen so many cake shops in all my life - not even in France.<br /><br />If you like food - of any description - go! Jump into that adventure playground of greed and let it swallow you whole. There may be hints of gout nuzzling up to you by the end of it but that town will feature in your day and night dreams for years and years to come.<br /><br />Big up to the city that makes you feel brand new!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496657020432097051.post-76425965322867237252009-10-13T16:46:00.003+01:002009-10-13T16:52:25.695+01:00Choc Star in Delicious Online<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHCryUjWE8Libl_xAUPXcXooag3012KwI1LroZjQZqB72BdG9yI1pBPNwPAI1MtQPgzNV3RnNFIRBZgRibG16zOXCyF-rF6duqNjyhYQpS9vCLcKwn4FZCkp8TTjLNFWiq5M_1AL3At8/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHCryUjWE8Libl_xAUPXcXooag3012KwI1LroZjQZqB72BdG9yI1pBPNwPAI1MtQPgzNV3RnNFIRBZgRibG16zOXCyF-rF6duqNjyhYQpS9vCLcKwn4FZCkp8TTjLNFWiq5M_1AL3At8/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392112677512597954" border="0" /></a><br />Check out <a href="http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/articles/q&as-with-petra-barran-choc-star">this Q&A I did</a> with Delicious Online as part of the Chocolate Week activities (for which I'm there in spirit....).Petra Barranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779735659911635362noreply@blogger.com3