Manifesto

All great movements start with a manifesto and in that spirit, here is mine.

This blog is about great food. Simple.

I write to present an alternative to the kind of restaurant reviews found in the Metro, the Guardian or the Times: the kind of review that starts with a paragraph on which interior designer is responsible for the achingly modernist titanium lampshades or the sublime wood paneling. For me, the best food in London and, indeed, around the world comes from simplicity and authenticity. It's street vendors, little hole-in-the-wall places, simple restaurants run by the same family for generations. These restaurants may not look like much but try the food and you'll realise why it's packed every night.

I'm interested in the range of cuisines found in London and in seeking out where people go to find good food, cooked just the way it is back home. I'm interested in fresh ingredients, exciting, seasonal menus and reasonable prices.

I also want to showcase London's markets. While markets all around the country are being forced out by chain supermarkets, we are so lucky in London to have such a wealth of markets. Yet so many people don't take advantage of them, believing them to be somehow inconvenient, or difficult to navigate, or expensive or offering inferior quality produce. I want to help people discover the amazing range of market food in London and overcome their preconceptions.

Finally, I'd like to share some of my favourite recipes and some of yours. Preparing a meal can bring so much joy and there's so much going on in our kitchens so let's share what we're cooking!