Cruz Ferreira leans out from his kitchen on wheels, “Oy, Abdul, you have any bread over there?” His colleague didn’t stock up on bread and it’s ten minutes until the rush. Abdul shakes his head. Ferreira curses under his breath and pops out the back door. He asks his friend who's ready for the day to run down to the corner store.
For 400 years this market has been filled with all kinds of goods. Now, it is mainly a food hub in the thriving business district. From midday to 2 pm, Monday through Friday, the street is packed with hungry souls ready for some of the best street food around. Just as the workers in the high-rises travel in packs through the market, the workers in each stall all know one another and help each other out.
Cruz came from Portugal after studying marketing. He worked as a bartender, then a manager, and finally decided it was time to “have a go in the kitchen.” That was three years ago, and now his small business––Embutique––utilizes old family tradition and thronging crowds of fancily-clad youth to make a living. His marketing has created a beautiful stand, a gorgeous website, and an atmosphere that stands out in the hoards of vendors and customers.
Every day, he arrives early to cook the food fresh and taste each piece: tortilla, paella, pasta, salad, chorizo, and chicken. It’s tough to eat the same food every day for three years and while he would like to expand, it’s quite difficult to grow as a small business. His partner has moved to Spain and has her own stand set up there; but in the year since she’s left, she hasn’t been able to take time off due to the strenuous overload of starting afresh. The shop served wine with the meal for a bit, but it became too expensive with the taxes. His eyes shine with longing to expand while he shakes his head and chuckles, “Apparently normal people can’t serve booze.” For now, he’ll keep working long hours and market his way to the day when someone responsible stocks his bread, and he has time to visit his family.
- Sam Normington
Though it may be one of the shortest markets in London, Leather Lane still holds its own as a market for the hungry masses. Nestled near a business district, this market is only open for the lunch rush, setting up around 11:00 GBT and dying down around 14:00 GBT when everyone heads back to the office. Approximately a block long, stalls of all sorts offer up quick options from a variety of cultures. The air is filled with the aromas of Mexican, Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and many other tantalizing scents that lure in the hungry masses. Our group arrived around 11:45 GBT and that's actually an ideal time to do so if you have bills smaller than £20; you'll be able to explore all the booths, select the most tempting one, and purchase some of the freshest bits before the masses descend without even having to wait to order. Then you can claim a seat for yourself at one of the picnic tables while everyone begins queueing, enjoying your flavorful meal while people-watching as well. Those with dietary restrictions can still find plenty of options too; Halal, Kosher, vegetarian, and vegan options were displayed at several of the stalls and they gave off just as aromatic smells to please the senses as the other vendors. If you're looking for anything beyond food at this market, you may strike out unless you're on the hunt for men's underwear; there were two stalls side-by-side offering up briefs, boxers, and "Meat Machines" available for purchase while you wait for your falafels, rice bowls, or burritos to be prepared.
- Caity Coutant