Hackney Homemade Market is a hit with foodies

Pea Soup magazine took a stall at the market one Saturday, selling their namesake pea soup

Hackney Homemade launched their new Saturday food market last month (18 February). Held a strawberry’s hull from Hackney Central station in the gardens of the St John at Hackney church, the new venture is now looking forward to its third weekend of trading and is proving a popular addition to the local market scene.

Featuring a variety of artisan producers selling digestible wares from fruit and veg to meat and wild game as well as breads, cakes, and chutneys, the market’s diverse product range offers something for all tastes and pocketbooks.

Jane MacIntyre, one of the Hackney Homemade organisers, is enthusiastic about the market’s launch and the producers who are signing up: “Homemade Food was a great success. Lush Mush from the Great British Bake Off sold out of cupcakes and it was generally agreed that Alley Katsu dishes up the best curries this side of Tokyo.”

She added that one of the market’s main aims was accessibility, and that it endeavoured to become more than simply a place to buy food: “From the point of view of running it, we try very hard to make it as easy as possible to have a stall and are setting up a market trader’s training day for just £25 or free to those out of work.

“We work very hard to make it a community market, giving free stalls to charities, and have the luxury of space so can have buskers and entertainers under the trees. The idea was to create a local market that is as inclusive as possible. Markets are the perfect opportunity for local people to come together.”

Those opting for more immediate gratification are similarly spoilt for choice, with a variety of stalls selling delicious ready-to-eat food, from tried and trusted favourites like burgers and sausages to more specialist fare like homemade pasta with slow-cooked sauces from The Hungry Wolf.

Yet it was the burritos from Chula Fused Foods that came closest to stealing the show. Offering a welcome twist on a street food classic, Vinny Patel injects the classic wrap combination of rice, beans, and lovingly-nurtured meat or veg with an Indian kick, flavouring his rice with mustard seeds, currying his kidney beans, and offering a chicken keema that competes with the best carnitas in terms of flavour and would not be out of place in the capital’s best curry houses.

Vegetarians, too, were catered to in style: his subtly spiced methi paneer was far from an ethical also-ran and a more than welcome change from the usual meat-free burrito treatment of a few roasted peppers and some extra guacamole.

Unfortunately, Chula Fused Foods is unsure at present whether it will return to the market, which is all the more reason for locals to come out in force to support their newest market. Street pizza mavericks Homeslice have returned to home turf ahead of schedule, so it’s clear that Hackney citizen power works.

It’s not just the punters and organisers who are enjoying the Hackney Homemade food market. David, from pig-specialist Monmouthshire farm, The Parson’s Nose, reflected positively on his early experiences of the market: “This was a good start. We had a positive day and were well received. In terms of comparison, this was about the middle of the markets we attend. Others are definitely not as good. We were pleased to be there.”

He added that, unlike certain park cafes, his stall would be adjusting its product range in line with the demands of a diverse population:“The most notable point for us was the complete mix of folks attending and we will adapt our offerings to suit all kinds of pockets in future. We hope to introduce a few more produces so there’s something for everyone who attends.”

Those who find the Broadway Market vibe occasionally stifling will be especially pleased with the spacious lay out of Hackney Homemade Food and its laid-back nature – there’s no danger of tripping over a discarded bottle of craft beer or designer pooch here. As it should be, it really is all about the way that the shared experience of good food can help to build a greater sense of community. And for sure, the food at the new Hackney Homemade market is very good indeed.