East London enjoys two new street food events

13-Apr-2014 - Last updated on 27-Apr-2021 at 11:37 GMT

Fairground is taking place in a disused building in Haggerston, East London

A new pop-up from the founder of Street Feast opened its doors for the first time Saturday, bringing food, drinks and festival fun to Haggerston.

Fairground, the latest venture from Dominic Cools-Lartigue, is running in a disused three-storey office building for ten weeks.

The line-up for the venue will change every week, with new street food stalls and a takeover restaurant alongside music, workshops, jewellery and talks.

To celebrate the beginning of Songrakn, the Thai New Year, last weekend saw Fairground showcase some of London's Thai food specialists.

Busaba Eathai took over the Fairground Diner on the top floor, with head chef Jude Sangside cooking up a new menu of dishes not yet available at the restaurant including curries influenced by North Thai cuisine.

A Busaba Eathai truck also offered Thai street food in the courtyard.

BBC Masterchef finalist Andy Oliver took over the second floor with his new Thai venture Som Saa, cooking up some regional Thai specialities including Yum Pla Somm and Mo Ping.

On the ground floor, Street feast regular Yum Jungle were on hand to offer their Thai-spiced fried chicken.

 Visitors could also choose from a cocktail menu devised by bar consultants Strangehill on the third floor, alongside wines and beers. Bottled cocktails were also available on the second floor.

Chilli Chilli Bang Bang

Meanwhile, Wahaca founder Thomasina Miers has teamed up with social media food society Tweat Up to run a two-day chilli festival in Dalston next month.

Chilli Chilli Bang Bang will take place at Dalston Yard on 9-10 May.

The event will see chefs including Miers, Giorgio Locatelli, Stevie Parle, Atul Kochhar and Tim Anderson give demos on the art of creating chilli-based dishes.

Food from 15 different countries will also be on offer, including Mexican from Wahaca and Tommi's Diner, Italian from Pizza Pilgrims, Indian from Rola Wala and Roti Chai, Peruvian from Andina, Sichuanese from Bar Shu, Thai from Som Saa, Japanese from Nanban and Yum Bun and US BBQ treats from SmokeStak, B.O.Bs Lobester and Slider Bar.

The event will also feature a Hot Sauce Deli, a spice market and a bar serving Jose Cuervo chilli tequila cocktails.