What is Street Food?

This page will cover what is meant by ‘street food’, how you can get in to street food, what it takes to succeed and the advantages it offers.

Street food refers to cooked or prepared food being sold for immediate consumption by mobile caterers in a public location.

Having originated in Asia as an authentic and low cost method of offering quality, homemade food to consumers with minimal barriers to trading, street food made its way to America and before long was increasing in popularity across Europe. Following humble beginnings, it has exploded into a phenomenon in the UK, gaining great traction from the 2008 recession.

The emergence of street food has revolutionised the UK hospitality sector and been at the forefront of the growing experience economy.

Facilitated in conjunction with the rise of social media and the new ‘experience’ economy, street food presents an opportunity for chefs and entrepreneurs to offer high quality, stripped back, affordable and authentic food to the public.

Taking risks with new dishes, methods and flavours, preparing and cooking food in front of the customer then handing it directly to them offers both the theatre of live cooking and a human connection in an increasingly digital world. Street food offers a quirky and unique alternative to the more traditional food to go or restaurant offerings.

Street food is synonymous with innovation and opportunity. It is the act of making something from nothing, it has a pure ability to harness creativity of the individual and it gives anyone the chance to make a living from selling food.

One thing’s for sure: street food is here to stay. Regular food markets take place most weekends in the UK, there are increasing numbers of dedicated food halls exclusively housing street food brands on a rotating basis, traditional pubs often have traders on site for a temporary residence, traders populate the festival circuit and there’s a good chance the next wedding you attend will boast some street food catering.

The popularity of street food has grown to the point that established chains now hop on food trends originating from street food.

Honest, authentic food prepared with talent, knowledge, and passion. At its best, street food is restaurant quality food, stripped back to great ingredients.

Street Food businesses worked together to create an altogether new type of eating experience: food market as a destination, experience or event. Today you can find these markets across the country, existing as constantly popular choices for consumers to go to and enjoy great food-centric experiences at.

Low cost, low risk

One of the biggest attractors to giving street food a go, is the low barriers to entry.

All you need to give it a go is a stall and the relevant legal licences – find out more about the legalities of trading here (link to Street Food Law page). It provides genuine opportunities to those with a passion for food.

Operational costs in street food are minimal compared to a traditional restaurant with considerable overheads. This allows street food traders to keep prices low and attractive to consumers, while still being able to make a decent profit. It cuts straight to the core.

No limits

Street food is widely credited with the rapid expansion of tastes and palettes the UK has experienced over the past couple of decades. It is the perfect vehicle for introducing fresh and new cuisines to consumers – there are no limits to what can and what will work with street food.

Enabling a much more casual and carefree manner of eating food, street food is an immersive experience – rather than a food based transaction.

It’s all about standing out – whether that’s through a bespoke product or innovative take on a cuisine, flamboyant stall branding or irresistible classics, street food is about expressing yourself without limits.

No one is going to tell you what you can or can’t do – it is entirely up to you!

Channel your passion

Passion translates. It is one of the most infectious substances known to humans. If you are passionate about your product, it gives consumers reason to be as well. Street food can offer freedom and working flexibility that appeals to many – you can be your own boss and decide what success really looks like to you.

People will invest in your passion – they will want to know what the story of the business is, what inspired you to start out on this journey? What is your personal link to the cuisine you’re serving up? Place your passion into your plates, and it will translate!

There is no right or wrong when it comes to the type of food you can sell either. Just make sure you prioritise making use of quality ingredients – people will be able to tell if you’re just peddling cheap imitations, and you’ll soon be found out. Put passion in right from the start, with sourcing ingredients and you’ll be wowing hungry customers in no time!

Create a buzz

The impact street food has had on the regeneration of high streets is second to none. It brings people together, makes use of disused facilities, creates a sense of community, excites people and carries an air of momentum. You’re not just going out for food, you go to a market with street food traders to experience something new, to meet people and to laugh together.

How good would it feel to be serving up those smiles as an adoring queue form to try your food?

Is Street Food For You?

Now you have some idea of what it takes to run your own street food business. It’s a lot of information to take in at once and you probably have lots more questions. One that you definitely need to ask yourself before enquiring about units or perfecting your recipes, is street food right for you?

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