English cuisine is often considered to be the laughing stock of the world; some criticise the lack of flavour, others the unappealing appearance or dull texture, and so people are often shocked at the variety of the food that is found in the streets of London, and the authenticity with which dishes from all over the world are replicated here: In what other country could you say that the Indian curry in Southall rivals the dishes found in India itself, or that the national dish hails from a country that is almost 4000 miles away? As someone wise once told me, “The best place to get Indian food is Southall.” The diversity and variety of London’s food scene set us apart, and it’s time for us to appreciate and showcase the country's rich culinary offerings..
To me, the most amazing thing about the food in London is the diversity of the food found here; people often assume that because London offers food from every corner of the globe, this means that London does not have any of its own unique food, but this could not be further from the truth. The food that we find here is a testimony to the originality of London’s chefs, in that the cuisine incorporates international elements while also maintaining traditional roots. For instance, the Anglo-Indian dish Kedgeree, which was popularised in Victorian Britain combines both aspects of English and Indian cuisine, like smoked haddock from England and “Khichdi” a lentil and rice dish from India, which displays the adaptability of English cuisine as it has evolved as Britain has grown more multicultural.
The food of Britain, especially London, is also reflective of the diversity of the community that live here: the restaurants that Vogue has rated the best in London include a range of cuisines, including West African, Phillipino, Mexican and South Indian food, and this wide variety is representative both of the vibrant, multicultural identity of the city but also showcases the skill of London’s chefs, as they are ready to work with different flavours and techniques, enriching peoples’ culinary experiences. Not only are people in London willing to explore a variety of cuisines, but we excel at it; London has become one of the “gastronomic capitals” of the world, with members of the public flocking to restaurants in London, especially Brick Lane in East London, to get a taste of authentic Bangladeshi and Pakistani cuisine.
London is also a city where people’s zeal for cooking (and eating) shines through; social media platforms are full of people who are keen to explore and display the incredible culinary offerings of London, challenging the stereotypical idea that English food is boring or lacking in flavour. Instead, they show the public that London is a place of culinary innovation and excellence, where chefs focus not only on the local traditions but also create new dishes and are eager to embrace other potentially less familiar cuisines. This eagerness when it comes to food is also exemplified by the huge number of food markets in London, such as the Borough or Old Spitalfields markets, or even more local markets such as the Duck Pond Market in Richmond, which also shows that London is a hub for food, where one can find unusual food items and different cuisines, and therefore we shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss our city’s food solely because of baseless stereotypes.
Ultimately, the message is: don’t let anyone tell you that London’s food is boring: our food is as original as we are, with ever-evolving dishes that masterfully marry the cuisines of the many communities that have settled here. Our food is a testament to the city's diversity, and our people’s talents and zeal for cooking... and eating!
