GUERILLA EATS is taking place on the 8-9 December in a car park close to Port Street Beer House on Port Street.
The whole tone of the Guerilla Eats publicity for the event is unpleasant, smug even, sneering at existing operators, usually small businesses who work week-in, week-out in rain or shine.
It looks good but it’s taking itself very, very seriously.
This is the publicity.
‘Guerrilla Eats is a new foodie collective of passionate street food traders set to shake up Manchester’s street food. (The) traders will initiate Mancunians into their great food movement, bucking the idea that street food means either dirty kebabs or sky high prices and is the preserve of ‘those in the know.’
‘Tired of trekking around poorly planned markets and paying extortionate trader fees (which they have to pass on to the customer), the collective is run by the people for the people who just care and love the food they make.’
‘Guerrilla Eats’ manifesto is simple – create a buzz about great food served by great people at great prices. December’s mission will give street food its chance to shine and convert people to the Guerrilla Eats ideology that great food CAN and IS able to be served on the streets; which hasn’t happened thus far in Manchester.’
Well according to them it hasn’t happened yet.
Really?
Fire and Salt BBQ
The organisers must have forgotten about the Farmer’s Markets and other markets that have been taking place in St Ann’s Square, Piccadilly, Albert Square and elsewhere for ages.
Savin Hill’s superb rare breed burgers at the farmer's markets are as good as street food gets, meanwhile my kids and I love the hotdogs at the end of Market Street in that stall that looks like a tram. And if they want to nip down to Old Trafford with me I'll show them a kebab in Ashiana which will make them weep for joy.
The whole tone of the Guerilla Eats publicity for the event is smug; sneering at existing operators, usually small businesses who work week-in, week-out in rain or shine. They need to cut that tone out with future events.
Nor should they harp on about ‘over-priced’ German markets and the like.
‘So how much will the food be at Guerilla Eats?’ I asked via email.
‘The traders have made an agreement to cap it at £5 with one exception,’ came the reply. ‘The Fire and Salt stall have put on a more expensive dish - but it's pretty massive, box of pulled pork, mac and cheese, coleslaw and bread for £7.’
£5 is no cheaper than the German markets. More expensive than operators in the Arndale Market. It's a bit silly to talk about them under-cutting existing operators.
The shame is that Guerilla Eats looks like it could be a very good event -and clearly they are very nice people even if they are giving themselves airs.
Anyway here are the traders, described in their own words.
Fire and Salt BBQ is inspired by the traditional art of BBQ from the southern states of America and smoke whole pigs over hickory smoke to bring you divine pulled pork and sticky ribs all topped with moreish homemade sauces – http://fireandsaltbbq.co.uk@fireandsaltBBQ
Dirty Dogs like to bust the myth that hotdogs are poor quality, mechanically reclaimed meat sausages in pappy white buns Dirty Dogs teams good quality franks with innovative and creative toppings - @dirtydogsarehot
Ginger’s Comfort Emporium – unusual and sometimes rather adult flavours of luxury ice cream (yes, there’s booze in some of them!). Ginger’s recently won ‘Best of the Best’ and ‘Best Dessert’ at the British Street Food Awards 2012 – www.gingerscomfortemporium.com@gingerscomfort
The BarnHouse Bistro sources the best quality ingredients and makes quality burgers from scratch all served out of a corrugated iron clad trailer - @BistroBarnHouse
Chaat Cart serves traditional Indian street food; no spicy curries here, just simple chaat made from local, organic vegetables (that’s right, this is amazing veggie food) – www.chaatcart.co.uk @ChaatCart
Sugar Bun Sisters use the finest ingredients coupled with their amazing baking skills to create crazy, creative cupcakes that will fill your life full of cake filled happiness – www.sugarbunsisters.co.uk @SugarBunSisters
Las Paelleras cook vibrant Spanish street food from scratch with responsibly sourced ingredients; expect proper paella and tasty tapas, with a twist. http://laspaellerascom @LasPaelleras
Not bad.
Let's hope Guerilla Eats can live up to its own hype in 'initiating' us ignorant Mancs into real street food. As stated above the organisers are clearly good guys, but they need to be careful how they make their boasts.
By the way there’s not only food to eat but entertainment too at Guerilla Eats, such as spice tolerance competitions, man vs food challenges and street performers plus stall holder competitions.
Guerrilla Eats Celebration takes place Sat 8 Dec 4-11pm and Sun 9 Dec 11am-4pm at Port Street Cark park, near Port Street Beer House, Port Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester M1 2EQ. www.guerrillaeats.co.uk
Barn House Bistro
