Street Food Culture

The foodie revolution in Birmingham

The United Kingdom, more specifically Birmingham, is known for serving up some spicy food. This is due to the influence India has had on the country since the 18th century with the British colonisation. By 1990 the Balti triangle had been established in Birmingham with over fifty restaurants. Since then the growth of multi-cultural foods has developed with British taste buds becoming more curious. Britain spends over £250 million a year on the importation of different herbs and spices. This is due to two main reasons: the growth of ethnic cooking and health concerns. Research carried out states that a quarter of the Brits have health concerns, with six in then of them being overweight or obese. The 63% whom are concerned with their blood pressure seek to find flavoursome products low in salt. With the excess amount of salt in the British diet people are becoming more aware of this being a health risk, so are now replacing salt with various spices.

Even though the British population is seeking healthier foods with a profusion of flavour, their lifestyle has not changed. The modern day Brit is always on the go and favours fast food, however no long wants to consume the generic burger from McDonalds. This is where street food has cunningly been popping up all over the country, with new vendors appearing left right and centre; six hundred to seven hundred new street food businesses in 2014. These savvy entrepreneurs are not just passionate about the food that is being served up but about the pleasure it is bringing to the population. Street food has become 'up market', great for those seeking an exploration of the world- but this journey is carried out through the five senses, reaching the stomach and finally bringing satisfaction. 

This food journey can be found in the heart of Birmingham, where it all started with traditional Indian cuisine. Yes, there can be found a few Michelin starred restaurants, award winning markets and of course the Balti triangle. This makes it no surprise that Birmingham was names "The capital of food" by Olive magazine in 2011. However, the star of it all is the street food which is hidden away.

People should head down to "Digbeth Dining Club" on a Friday night. "Digbeth Dining Club" is a cultural event where various cuisines can be discovered. With over thirty vendors that take it in turn to host the event, there is something for everyone's taste buds. From traditional burgers and toasties (with a twist, of course) to Mexican, Vietnamese and French creperies. These may be all different in taste but each vendor shares the same passion and beliefs. The food that is being served up is wholesome, heart-warming, ethical and locally sourced. And they are taking into consideration salt consumption by replacing it with additional spices. Even if the food is inspired from the other side of the world, these foodies want to be supporting local suppliers in the West Midlands. Provenance is something that is important to each of them and to create a greater understanding of this to the consumer. "Digbeth Dining Club" is a multi-cultural scene, so it is no surprise that it is a multi-award winning event. It is easy to say that Birmingham is revolutionising the food scene. If you want to learn more about this event watch the video below, if this doe not make you want to go I do not know what will...