Leicester Market were recently the subject of BBC One’s new food-themed programme Food Fest England, and we were delighted to show what we offer to the viewing public.
Hosted by Sean Fletcher and Edith Bowman, the show explores unique edible treats from those producing food naturally and organically across the country. The goal is to satisfy the nation’s taste buds, as well as to highlight the fantastic work from those who deserve recognition for bringing incredible food to customers from far and wide.
Offering cuisines that span the globe, as well as regularly serving tens of thousands of weekly shoppers with a diverse range in cultural backgrounds and food heritages (and at cheaper prices than the big supermarkets), Leicester Market was a perfect choice as a host for the inaugural episode of the series. Our award-winning market is the biggest outdoor market in Europe with more than 270 stalls, and its heritage dates back hundreds of years, with even Elizabeth II referencing the market in an official charter.
Sean and Edith were certainly impressed, and they really enjoyed touring the market and sampling various dishes while getting to meet some of the key people that make our market a continuous success.
These included Vicki (pictured, centre), who runs a fruit and vegetable stand within the market. Having started working on the stall aged 12, she brings almost 40 years of experience, and therefore can offer great insight on what makes Leicester Market and its food offerings so special.
Vicki commented: “Our fruit and vegetables come straight out of the boxes and are fresh from the farms. What’s more, our food naturally ripens rather than being kept in warehouses. So, you’re getting the best of both worlds by coming here to Leicester Market.”
The programme also spotlighted Fredy, one of our market’s more recognisable faces due to his talent for producing the most exquisite fajitas. Fredy, originally from Peru, described what makes a great fajita, a dish that is popular all across Latin America.
Fredy said: “The most exciting thing is that you can create different kinds of fajitas such as a lamb fajita, a chicken fajita – all different types of fajitas. It’s about what you add and how you make it.”
Explaining the process of making a fajita wrap to Sean and Edith, Fredy talked through the stages of firstly laying the wrap out flat, then adding a suitable amount of lettuce before adding the source food (in this case, cooked chicken) and then closing over the wrap. As Fredy noted, every fajita can be unique, and while the taste is always delicious, it can also be different every time, which keeps customers coming back for more in the future.
Fredy added: “You can have this with any meal, and it’s also very healthy by including anything from chicken to spinach to lettuce.”
Last but not least, the Food Fest England team also highlighted the annual Leicestershire Curry Awards, which were first established in 2016. Sean and Edith spoke to Romail Gulzar, the self-declared “minister for Curry” who highlighted some of the most popular curry dishes in the UK, such as chicken korma and pilau rice. Explaining that around 350 restaurants and takeaways across Leicester and Rotherham take part, Romail noted why the awards are so prestigious, and also why the aforementioned curry dishes are so popular.
Leicester Market were thrilled to act as a host for the show, and we would be more than happy to welcome the team back in the future. Here’s hoping that the show has also inspired you to try these dishes, as well as to visit the market yourself!
To view the Food Fest England episode in full, visit the BBC iPlayer here.
Photos courtesy of BBC