Food Feast [WFJ #21]

Frome’s biggest street food event is upon us. Here’s what to expect

credit: Frome Wessex Photographic

15 years ago, a street food market by the name of World Food Feast set up on Cheap Street as part of the Frome Festival. 

These days, even though it’s dropped the ‘World’ from the name (and now takes place outside the Cheese & Grain), it still brings together a medley of cuisines from around this little rock – Thailand, East Africa, British, Tibetan, and beyond.

This year, it extends its repertoire – with the likes of Greek and Mexican – to a total of 20 traders, most of whom usually operate locally. Along with them, there’ll be live music from Abba tribute S.O.S, blues trio Big Dog, and the uncategorisable Jump 66, who’ll dish out R’n’B, 1950s skanking, and jump blues.

Kicking off from 5pm on Saturday the 2nd July, 3,000 people are estimated to put food to face in the five hours allotted, which means seating is very much limited – if there was one piece of advice from the organisers, it is, and I quote: “bring a foldable chair”.

15 traders are listed below as, at the time of writing, organisers are finalising the other five. 

Lo Rapitenc 

A newcomer to the Frome food scene – and the Food Feast – Cheap Street’s Spanish deli and tapas restaurant will serve up their market special, which entails chorizo fried off on the plancha with homemade aioli, red pepper, rocket, and slow-cooked onion in a brioche bun.

credit: Lo Rapitenc

Mr Roast Potato 

How do you cook your roasties? In a hot oven? Under the grill? Mr R.P. takes the less-than-usual approach of crisping them up in a paella pan. Where potatoes usually play second fiddle, that’s not the case here – side dishes include peri peri chicken and chilli con carne.

Burrito Boi

Frome’s Mexican-inspired restaurant takes a trip down the hill from the Station Approach to put on their smoky three-bean burrito with chipotle rice, sour cream, vintage cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, pickled peppers. And, naturally, their signature – the slow-cooked beef burrito with chipotle rice, garlic and herb pinto beans, sour cream, cheddar, pico de gallo, pickled peppers, lettuce and your choice of sauce.

My Greek Fat Wraps

My Greek Fat Wraps, who used to have a regular pitch behind the Cheese & Grain, make a more than welcome return to Frome. Expect grilled halloumi or chicken with avocado sauce, vine tomatoes, red onions, and fresh parsley in pitta wraps, served alongside oregano fries.

The Burger Bus

A converted American-style Bluebird school bus is set to make its way down to Frome from Bristol. It’s had a slight career change, now dishing out burgers of six-ounce beef patties, moroccan lamb, or buttermilk fried chicken. 

Pizza from The Cheese & Grain

Saturday’s hosts aren’t about to miss out on the proceedings – they’ll be slinging wood-fired pizza from the cafe’s brick oven all evening.

Durty Gurt Jerk 

Hailing from Standerwick, the proposition here from Durty Gurt Jerk is far from complicated: Jamaican jerk chicken cooked over coals, with rice and peas. 

Secret Recipe 

Straight outta Wells is Secret Recipe, bringing their Thai green curry, rich massaman curry, and zingy penang curry. Save space for their spring rolls – some people say they’re the best they’ve ever had.

African Safari Kitchen

Come for the lentil curry, fried chicken strips, onion bhajis, and coconut rice; stay for the altruism. African Safari Kitchen operates alongside the MAMA Upendo Childrens’ Trust, which runs an orphanage in the Kitui District in Kenya’s Eastern Province. All of African Safari Kitchen’s profits go to helping kids orphaned in Kenya.

Karibu

Also in the business of serving up African delicacies, and also riding on goodwill, proceeds from Karibu’s food sales go towards improving the lives of orphans in Africa.  

Worleys Cider 

Proper ciderists Worleys are back in town to peddle some of the county’s best, each made with heritage apples from Somerset orchards. The line-up includes the medium-sweet Beatnik Billy, and the medium-dry Red Hen. 

Still Sisters Gin 

Based in the south side of Frome, distillers Still Sisters make a point of doing things locally, whether it’s the watercress grown five miles away for their London Dry Gin, or the Dabinett apples from Perry’s orchards for their Somerset Cider Apple Gin.  

The Crumpeteers 

It’s hot-buttered crumpets, but not as you know them – guest appearances may include anything from ‘black forest beauty’ to a ‘churros’ crumpet, all served from a converted horse trailer. 

Tibetan Memories 

Local favourites Tibetan Memories take time out of The Good Heart cafe to bring you their mixed veg curry, dhal, and of course their famous momo dumplings. 

Sweet Drinks 

Sweet Drinks have the noble task of representing 18 local independent wine and spirits makers, including Canned Wine Co, Beckford’s, Retribution, and Still Shed Distillery. You can bank on at least a few of those making an appearance this weekend.