Short of spending a few months travelling around South America, there is no easier way to explore all those diverse countries, meet the people and sample their terrific local cuisine.
Londoners have a great chance to sample a vast variety of South American food at Comida Fest, the Latin American Street Food festival in the South Bank, 18 & 19 June. The three lovely ladies, Gizane, Simone and Alicia, who organised this event have carefully curated the list of food vendors, stalls, music, dancing and activities to showcase all that is hot and happening in South American culture in London.
Discovering South American Food
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, we spent a lovely long lunch sampling the food, meeting the vendors, learning lots about the unique food and drink that we don’t often see. Discovering that Colombian pastels are not the same as Brazilian Pastels, tasting a Pisco made by a 100 year old grandmother (the only female Pisco blender) in Peru (Machhu Pisco), quinoa burgers, Colombian Arepas that are not the same as Venezuelan arepas, churros filled with doce de leite (Brazilian for dulce de leche) are the best thing ever. (Tip: Don’t have breakfast and get your dancing shoes on)
Here is a selection of the delicious food on offer you go down to the next Comida Fest.
Smoked Picanha Sandwich by Smokey Locomotive
Mezcarita Cocktail: CHILLI ILEGAL Ilegal Joven Mezcal, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, fresh pink grapefruit juice and dry chilli.
Brazilian Pastel with a mixture of fillings from Guarida Cafe
Cuban burger, the Mexican and the Andean Burger by Salsa Latin Street Food
The vegetarian quinoa burger
Papa a la Huancaina with Aji amarillo from Emanuel Peruvian Catering
Peruvian Papa a la Huancaina with Aji amarillo
Jama Cubana’s Traditional cuban sandwich (Slow-cooked mojo pork shoulder, ham, swiss cheese, mustard, and a pickle)
Fried Egg Maize bun with sauces by Marlon’s Kitchen
Street tacos (beef/pork/veggie) served with tortilla chips and salsas by Cafe Pacifico Kitchen
Some hot stuff from MexGrocer.co.uk
Venezuelan Arepa filled with shredded beef, cheddar cheese, fried plantain and avocado sauce from Guasacaca
Colombian Pastel del choclo – sweet corn-chicken-mince-eggs-raisins-black olives. Veggie Chilean Sandwich with halloumi (Donna) from Pachamama Cuisine
Picanha flank steak served with chimichurri sauce and a glass of Malbec from CAU
Lots of steak!
Feijoada (Brazilian black bean & pork stew served with manioc flour, kale and vinaigrette) from Fino Taste
Learning about Pisco from Macchu Pisco
Cocalero, a coca leaf based spirit made into a zingy spritz with Prosecco
Churros filled with doce de leite
Don’t miss these churros filled with doce de leite
Ice Cream Union’s Alfajor, Dulce de Leche temptation, Lucuma & Chocolate ice creams, Mango sorbet
Pepita Coffee
At the main stage, Zumba classes attracted lots of keen participants. There are lots of fun activities for kids too. If you missed this festival and want to sample the food, you can find these stalls at street food markets across London.
Don’t miss the next Comida Fest in June. It’s so much fun.
Comida Fest
June 18 & 19
Riverside Walkway, South Bank. (Just in front of the ITV Studios).
http://www.comidafest.com
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