Borough Talks

World’s first apple based electronic symphony created by Borough Market and Andrew Consoli, to mark Apple Day on 23rd October 2016

The final debate in 2015’s Borough Talks series was on the future of food. The talk looked ahead, questioning what we’ll be eating in 50 years’ time – as well as how and where we’ll be doing it. The debate was led by Borough Market Trustee and Professor Of Food Policy at City University, Tim Lang and saw other panellists covering a wide-ranging topics from ultra-processed food to the shrinking retail environment and even alternative sources of protein. The speakers: -Professor Tim Lang: a trustee of the Market and Professor Of Food Policy at City University, Tim has extensive experience in examining the decision-making process that shapes the food supply chain. - Sam Bompas, of Bompas and Parr: Sam and his partner Harry are responsible for some of the most innovative flavour-based experiences of recent years and are continually looking at ways to push the boundaries of culinary research, edible architectural installations and contemporary food design. - Douglas McMaster: head chef and owner of SILO in Brighton, the UK's first zero-waste restaurant. - Victoria Loomes: senior trend analyst who will discuss consumer trends and how they are applied in the food world. - Moderator: Joanna Blythman, investigative food journalist and author of seven books, including the recently published Swallow This: Serving Up The Food Industry's Darkest Secrets

Trading Fluxes is Andrew Consoli's sound installation, a collaboration with students at King’s College London. Taking sounds from Borough Market traders, Paul Wheeler of Paul Wheeler Fresh Supplies, Matt Jones of Bread Ahead Bakery and Patrick Williams of Soul Food. Andrew says: We were at this booth selling vegetables and the big fridge caught my attention... When I was editing the track I remembered the fridge and imagined how would be starting our trip from there. The first seconds of the track, you hear a whole pulsing world outside....Borough Markets. The sounds are clouded and distant, but you can hear the low frequencies of trains passing by. Once we open the door, a noisy world opens up and it looks and feels like just chaos created by juxtaposition of sounds, but then we slowly step in another reality where every noise seems well organised and rhythmical. It's a contrast that shows how chaotic things seems around us, but instead they really are part of a bigger mechanism where every noise and sound has a place, a well organised place. Toward the last section of the track, we trace back our steps and catch different noises before going back from where we came....a fridge full of vegetables : ) I think it's a pretty fascinating trip, I can feel this journey sums all the good experiences we had at Borough Market. About the last session together: I asked the students what was their artistic view before starting and we agreed on mixing a concept track with a more structured composition. Then we did a 3 hours studio session and start building the rhythmic section, with a careful selection of noises and fragments. I think it was a nice experience for the students and I hope they felt more involved. In the afternoon-evening of yesterday I've completed the structure and today added little touches like stereo movements and finalising EQ sculpture.

Every time you enter a London restaurant you might just be part of a new food trend. The capital is an ever-changing melting pot of culinary inspiration that shapes what we put on our dinner table. The third in a series of Borough Talks, with restauranteurs, traders and trend experts discussing the fast-paced and dynamic food landscape in the capital. They discussed how that translates across the country and what is likely to be the next big foodie craze. The panelists: - Petra Barran: Founder of KERB, a membership organisation for some of London's most exciting street food concepts Susan Parham: Head Of Urbanism at the University Of Hertfordshire, and author of Market Place: Food Quarters, Design And Urban Renewal In London Jack Adair-Bevan: Writer, hunter and mixologist at The Ethicurean near Bristol Moderator: Xanthe Clay: Author, food writer at The Telegraph and President of the Guild Of Food Writers

At the second Borough Talks debate, we discussed whether cookery writing is changing in a world dominated by Instagram, blogs, Twitter and the increasing digitalisation of content. From Nigella Lawson to Jamie Oliver, it's evident that food publishing is evolving. Taking place in the grandest food stage of the capital and with a star-studded panel, this informative talk taught us the tricks of the trade. Panellists included: - Mark Hix: chef, restaurateur and award-winning food writer. - Stephanie Jackson: Publishing Director at Octopus Books - Meera Sodha: cook, food writer and author of Made In India - Ed Smith: food writer, and author of award-winning blog Rocket & Squash - Moderator: Giles Webster, former owner of The Coach & Horses in Clerkenwell

'Is Cooking a Lost Art?' was the first debate in the Borough Talks series, held at Borough Market on 30th June 2015. Does anyone actually cook properly, or do we just watch food programmes and talk about cooking? This lively debate got to the crux of the matter and established whether we’re becoming a nation of culinary voyeurs. Is the art of cooking becoming theory rather than practice? How far has the British food revolution really come? The panel consisted of : Sybil Kapoor: chef, and award-winning food writer Bee Wilson: food writer, historian, and author of four books including Consider the Fork Rosie Birkett: stylist, food writer, presenter and author of A lot on her Plate Stephanie Wood: founder and director of School Food Matters, a charity supporting food education Sarit Packer: chef, author and co founder of middle eastern restaurant Honey and Co Listen up and find out what happened on the night.