Borough Talks

Thea Wunderer, founder of Alpine Deli, imports products from South Tyrol, a mountainous province in the far north of Italy. She joins Giulia Crouch to taste a selection of cured meats and discuss the unique food culture of her home region, her enduring love of market trading, and her advice for anyone starting a specialist food business.

Elliot Hashtroudi, head chef at Camille, joins Giulia Crouch to share a plate of chicken hearts and chat about his love of French regional cuisine, how the shifting seasons inspire creativity in the kitchen, and the beauty he finds in underappreciated British ingredients.

Joel Ferrer, founder of La Pepiá, joins Giulia Crouch to taste some of his stall’s Venezuelan salsas. They chat about sourcing produce from his fellow traders, the ethics of avocado consumption, and how his inventive approach to arepas – the traditional South American cornbread – has helped broaden their appeal.

Ewa Weremij, owner of Bianca Mora, joins Giulia Crouch to taste products from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and chat about two-hour lunch breaks, the Slow Food movement, and how time is an essential ingredient of the very best parmesan and balsamic vinegar.

Eduardo Florez, founder of The Colombian Coffee Company social enterprise, joins Giulia Crouch to taste some different beans and chat about the stunning diversity of coffee varieties, the unfairness of global markets, and how a focus on quality can help transform Colombian communities.

Stephanie Slater, founder of the School Food Matters charity, joins Giulia Crouch to taste a soup recipe created by local children and chat about transforming school dinners, the vital importance of learning about food, and the impact of Borough’s Young Marketeers programme.

Flip Dunning, founder of Pâté Moi, joins Giulia Crouch to taste her famous mushroom pâté and chat about the strange alchemy of simple ingredients, the challenges of running a business and raising a child, and the friendships she’s forged across two decades of trading.

Coles Loomis of Jumi Cheese and Jon Thrupp of Mons Cheesemongers are two of Borough Market’s most engaging cheese experts. They join Giulia Crouch to share some of their favourite winter products and chat about the artistry of small-scale cheesemakers, the ideal Christmas selection, and why blue cheeses are the haute couture of dairy.

Usman Shah of Date Sultan imports premium dates while using his company’s influence to improve the pay and conditions of workers in his supply chain. He joins Giulia Crouch to taste a diverse selection of date varieties and chat about the unique qualities of this Middle Eastern fruit, going viral on social media, and his battle to combat modern slavery.

In the Borough Market Kitchen, Salina Khairunnisa of Joli shares the cuisine of Malaysia’s Peranakan community, while Urvesh Parvais of Gujarati Rasoi cooks food rooted in the Indian state of Gujarat. They joined Giulia Crouch to taste some dishes and chat about cultural authenticity, the importance of quality ingredients and the enduring appeal of street food.  

Dawn Smith of Pimento Hill has been selling her handmade sauces, seasonings and jellies at Borough Market for 14 years. She sat down with Giulia Crouch over some spicy chicken wings to discuss the adventurousness of market shoppers, the role of food in Caribbean culture, and why peanut butter with scotch bonnet chilli jam is the best thing ever. 

Run by the McCourt family, Northfield Farm has traded at Borough since the 1990s, selling high-quality meat from its East Midlands farm. To kick off our new season of podcasts, the stand’s manager Dom McCourt sits down with Giulia Crouch to share a steak and chat about the butcher’s craft, the importance of sustainable farming, and the art of cooking meat on a barbecue.