Hope Street Feast

Sunday 18th September, 2011

FAR REMOVED from the sterile commercialism of Liverpool One, ‘Hope Street Feast’ has found a home between our two symbolic cathedrals. A home that is now synonymous with chronology, culture and creativity. If you add families and flair to that eclectic mix, hope springs.

The team at Chilli Banana

The area was closed off for one day to celebrate all those facets that make it great and to allow six blokes to walk up and down in their vests and y-fronts.

We arrived shortly after midday, welcomed by the sound of a young band playing Paul Simon and the bustle of people as they mingled between the stalls. We joined the crowds and immediately bought in to the spirit of the event.

We were pointed in the direction of ‘Shirley’s Homemade Pies’ and a wonderful array of all things great awaited us. We’re still mesmerised by the ‘Pork and Stilton Pie’ (£2.50). Shirley got our taste buds rolling when she announced that she is set to open her own shop very soon but then unfortunately told us it will be in Lancaster!

Homemade Pies

The Hog Roast was drawing in a good crowd as we passed by and headed towards Chilli Banana. The food there remains as consistent as it always has. The satay chicken and chilli prawns were exceptional (both £3).

The other two outstanding stalls were the Liverpool Cheese Company and Laura’s Little Bakery.

Not much left at our favourite bakery

We made our way to the main stage to get a closer look at the band playing the wonderful jazz music and it was here that we were all nearly run down by a double bed.

As if that wasn’t peculiar enough, it was closely followed by a crying bride and three women with placards protesting against men leaving dirty laundry on the bedroom floor!

Sadie Spinks loving all things chocolate

Ok, it’s no Notting Hill, Fringe or Mardi Gras but each year it takes a step closer to being a truly unique experience. The diversity is developing and the crowds are getting greater but what intrigues me most is the number of families attending and the positivity of the atmosphere there. Hope Street Feast is doing the simple things well and building on its strengths, which is always a winning formula. Something really special may be just around the corner.

After a brief visit to the Roscoe Head Beer Festival, we ended the day with a wonderful meal at Host.

Hope springs.

@stephen1martin