This week KERB, the team behind some of the capital’s most pioneering food markets, confirmed it is launching a weekly edition on Francis Road. This is surely a brilliant way to increase footfall — not to mention the weekend vibes — on E10’s scenic tree-lined street.
Founded by Petra Barran, the collective launched back in 2012 with early markets in a fledgling Granary Square and elsewhere. Fast forward to 2025 and their small, but well curated, roster of street markets are located on Fleet Place, Cowcross Street, The Gherkin and down in Gipsy Hill, as well as permanent set-ups at the National Theatre and Seven Dials in Covent Garden. Heck, there’s even a KERB Berlin.
Their nurturing side is underlined by an InKerbator scheme offering promising young chefs three weeks to learn the ropes at their HQ followed by a six-week residency at a market. So far there have been a hundred graduates, all fuelling our capital’s dynamic hospitality scene.
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The initial roster comprises Oshpaz’ critically acclaimed Uzbek plov rice bowls, Utopia’s homestyle Syrian fare, Hanoi Cà Phê, a former staple of Leyton’s Argyll Avenue industrial estate, Banzai Kitchen, which serves authentic Japanese cuisine “rooted in tradition”, and Mexclub’s authentic tacos, including their signature slow-cooked beef birria.
In addition to the usual streetfood there’s also going to be a wide selection of local produce stalls, as well as DJs spinning music all day outside our esteemed local record shop (cum bar), Dreamhouse Records.
The rotating line-up of up to 20 independent street food traders and local produce stalls will run every Saturday from 10am–4pm, the main idea being for the resident Francis Road businesses also to be involved in the action. The whole shebang is supported by Waltham Forest Council.
UPDATE June 6th: The market will now launch on July 5th 2025. Follow @kerbfood
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