The Datebook datebook_wintspring_2020_digital_ARTWORK02 | Page 22

How Street Food is Turning Corporate Event Catering On Its Head KERB at King's Cross. Cocktails by KERB Bar and food by Yum Bun at KERB’s Seven Dials Market. Burger by Truffle at KERB’s Seven Dials Market. T he capital’s street food scene continues to go from strength to strength and as we head into a new year, and a brand new decade, we can expect to see the trend continuing to dominate London’s best events menus. Inspired by the rich, sweet and savoury dishes of the world’s best street vendors, street food is now the talk of the events industry. And when it comes to sourcing exciting dishes that are bursting with flavour, street food is hard to beat. This trailblazing movement defies stereotypes, with many top street food vendors now receiving high acclaim for their inventive, imaginative cookery. In March 2019, renowned food market KERB hit the headlines when it hosted the world’s first Michelin star street food trader at KERB King’s Cross. Chan Hon Meng was honoured with a Michelin star for his signature ‘soya sauce chicken rice’, which he serves from a street food stall in Outram, Singapore. When the dish arrived at KERB, Londoners queued for over four hours to try it…. and the wait was well worth it! He’s back again in the spring of 2020. KERB offers authentic street food for events, in partnership with its 90 legendary traders. Also known as Kerbanists, the company’s traders are the heart and soul of its business. 20 THE LONDON & UK DATEBOOK Explaining the ethos behind the company, KERB founder Petra Barran told us, “It’s about serving amazing dishes and improving the quality of food services in the capital. We want to make the city more interesting and exciting through food.” 25 traders split over two areas, with a separate restaurant space. Seven Dials Market is currently home to Monty’s Deli, Club Mexicana, Pick & Cheese, Nanban, Yum Bun and Strozzapreti - a brand new concept from the team behind Franco Manca. Events organisers can now join forces with KERB to choose a selection of top quality traders for all kinds of events. KERB’s new style of event catering is ideal for informal events, where great food is top of the agenda. The company caters for events all over the capital, appearing at awards ceremonies, product launches, parties, networking events and conferences. Creating an epic event, complete with cutting edge street food traders, doesn’t have to be a tricky task. ‘Christmas Social’ is a brand new event concept by KIN London. Suitable for parties of 100 to 1,000 guests, the party package comes complete with KERB street food traders, unlimited cocktails, craft beers, party entertainment and a resident DJ. The street food collective operates at many of the capital’s most prestigious venues, from the Natural History Museum to Somerset House. KERB traders even provided the catering for this year’s hotly anticipated Ramen by Nanban at KERB’s Seven Dials Market. Christmas at Kew event, held at Kew Gardens. Prairie Fire BBQ and Meltsmiths were in residence throughout the festive event, which was open until 5th January 2020. Dive into KERB’s newly-opened Seven Dials Market and you’ll begin to see how this informal style of catering can transform events. At the market you’ll find Street food is changing the way we think about events catering. The future looks exciting for this booming business. SIMON MITCHELL, CEO of KERB Food. Founder of Kin London. Director of Mission Kitchen kerbfood.com kinlondon.co.uk missionkitchen.org Donuts by Big Shot at KERB’s Seven Dials Market. Seven Dials Market might be the latest and greatest but it isn’t the only food hall transforming the way Londoners eat. Turn to (pages 14 & 15 ) to discover more unmissable new markets.