The Culinary Adventure of Street Food in the UK

(Lagrave k, 2017)

Introduction

The term ‘Street food’ refers to artisan food sold on the streets, or more accurately, not served in restaurants or café’s (Gupta V, 2022).

There are an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide who consume street food every day (The food people, 2023). From vegan foods to gourmet burgers, the street food revolution is in full swing. However the concept is not new. 

In fact, street food dates back centuries originating in Egypt and Greece (Lock 29, 2021).Since then street food has undergone a fascinating metamorphosis to align with the modern palate.This blog will explore how it has changed and grown over the years, not only intentionally, but also through external factors.

(Koronakis V,2018)

 

Adapting to the Growing Demand for Healthier Eating

Increasingly, healthier eating has become more prevalent than it was a few years ago. A 2023 study found that 49% of adults in the UK actively try to eat healthy (Clifford E, n.d.) Numerous factors contribute to this, including better access to healthy foods and more knowledge and education on how to eat well. There is also the growing trend of flexitarianism (A plant based diet) and gluten sensitivity awareness. In fact it’s estimated that at least 10% of uk citizens need a gluten free diet (CoeliacUk, n.d.).Street food vendors are diversifying their menus In order to cater to health-conscious consumers, street food vendors now offer vegan and gluten-free options as well as  plant-based burgers (General , 2022).A low-fat cooking trend has also made its way into street food.Vendors are now offering grilling options as a healthier alternative to deep-frying.Recent developments in street food include using superfoods. These foods claim to reduce cancer and heart disease risks.Ingredients such as açai berries, kale, avocado, and chia seeds increasing sales  to consumers seeking nutrient-dense options ( Brooks A, 2023). However, vendors may face higher costs due to higher quality ingredients and training courses needed to prepare vegan and gluten-free food. To ensure the sustained growth of health-conscious street food, it is essential for street food vendors to tackle cost concerns and establish a strong regulatory framework in order to succeed. 

Balancing Taste and Sustainability

Regardless of how healthy or good the food is, many customers will refuse to purchase it if it is deemed non-sustainable. Street food vendors face the worldwide issue of environmental protection. Fast and convenient meals on-the-go are what street food is all about. Disposable plastics and packaging are often used for this purpose. In today's world, street food vendors who use non-sustainable packaging face environmental challenges.

Environmental protection also involves the reduction of carbon footprints (TWI, n.d.). As previously mentioned, there is a growing trend of flexitarianism in the uk . This is a plant based diet which aims to reduce a persons carbon footprint. Currently, flexitarians account for 12% of the British population (WholeFoodEarth , 2023). Flexitarians can also reduce meat intake for health reasons, which is recommended by doctors and nutritionists (WholeFoodEarth, 2023)Approximately three in four consumers worldwide consider it important how food is made and where it’s sourced as well as its impact on climate change and environmental issues (Southey F, 2023). Therefore vendors must consider the environment when creating their dishes in order to cater to the modern consumer. By using recyclable packaging and sourcing food from sustainable sources, they can achieve this. They may lose sales and profit if they fail to adapt to this issue.  

Culinary Diversity

(Staff M,2016)

Street food businesses can target different demographics when planning their dishes and their marketing strategies , in order to increase sales as well as customer satisfaction. Customers who are satisfied will also be loyal to the company, resulting in greater sales and profits over time. Religions and ethnicities, as well as specific dietary requirements like kosher meat, are all demographics that can be targeted. Cultural fusion is a key aspect of this adaptation. Vendors can include international dishes as well as incorporate spices and herbs from different cultures and cuisines in order to achieve this. This also appeals to consumers with adventurous palates who want to try food from different cultures. 

The purpose of this strategy goes beyond simply satisfying hunger; it cultivates a memorable connection with customers. In addition, recognising and honouring a range of dietary choices shows a commitment to inclusivity .This improves the company's profitability and customer satisfaction while also enhancing its reputation. However, as street food vendors diversify and try to create new dishes , maintaining consistently high quality becomes a lot harder , risking customer satisfaction. This can result in a bad reputation and bad reviews for a business as well as  decreased customer loyalty. For example , Kingswinford McDonalds were slammed as the worst ever branch by consumers due to their poor food quality (Chiorando M, 2023). This can be detrimental in the food industry. In order to prevent inconsistent quality , food vendors can provide training to staff for all new dishes.

Conclusion

In summary, street food has adapted to a huge range of modern diets, cultures and trends. It’s become healthier , adapted to a gluten free and vegan population and become more sustainable. By catering to specific demographics they can increase their customer satisfaction and loyalty but they also face risks such as inconsistent quality and an increase in costs. Success in this dynamic culinary journey depends on vendors adaptability, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability.

Annalise Docksey

(Gupta V , 2023)