Levi Roots; cassava, shame and smiles

In my last post, I mentioned my excitement at almost seeing Levi Roots, the founder of  beloved Reggae Reggae sauce and  other products such as Reggae Reggae peanuts, pasties. On Saturday, I met him in the most awkward of circumstances.

Levi Roots was scheduled to do his cooking demonstration at the Liverpool Food and Drink Food Festival this Saturday, which he did. He started off with his signature song, which I essentially know by rote..." put some music in your food today, gimme some Reggae Reggae sauce...". Seeing Levi sing this live, was more than enough for me. He started cooking, with haddock, tomatoes, a mixes of Caribbean spices, avocado and obviously, sassily poured Reggae Reggae Sauce. During the demonstration, he was being interviewed, sharing his life experiences with us and his journey from his normal life from his flat in Brixton to running the most prominent Carribean food brand in the UK within 6 years.

The demo carried on. All nice, all good. I was bursting with excitement, although I must admit we had a quick food break as we were not going to let hypoglycemia blur such a positive experience. On our return, Levi started a competition of  'Guess what this food is and you can win a prize!' WOW. In his hand, on a snazzy stage, in front of at least two hundred people he held an object ; a cassava.  It's also commonly known as yuca and manioc. In my heart I knew the answer. I shouted out. My friend Carrie said I could be a bit louder, so naturally I raised my voice. He looked at me. I thought I had won! Joy of joys! I walked down from the back, to the stage to collect my hard won cassava.

The awkwardness started after taking the cassava, people started laughing and clapping. How nice! As I made my way back to my space, I realised, the prize was not the cassava, but a sachet of Reggae Reggae sauce or Reggae Reggae peanuts that Levi already had given to another member of the audience. I was mortified. With Carrie by my side, we went around the side of the tent to give the cassava back. Minimal fuss was intended. I put in on the stage, apologised to the presenter and intended to leave. At that moment, Levi saw my shame, told me it was okay, kissed the cassava and gave it back to me. Relieved and honoured, we left quickly, to the sound of more clapping and laughter. Carrie kindly hid the cassava in her bag, whilst I cried with laughter and a hint of embarrassment.

 Returning the cassava

 Levi Roots giving me the cassava 

Leaving the tent with my famous cassava

 Carrie having a shot with the cassava safe at home

Basking in light with the best prize ever

This all true. There are witnesses. Ask Carrie. Ask Ursula or about two hundred

 others.

Here ends the tale of Levi Roots; cassava, shame and smiles.

Vegan cake and whistles

I used to be very skeptical of vegan cookery. Honestly, I was. Until about 3 years ago. I'm definitely not vegan. As my friends will tell you I ate fistfuls of  Filipino and Portuguese grilled chicken on bank holiday weekend. However, I have great respect for those who regularly cook delightful meat free, tasty vegan food, whether it be thali from Juicy Jones in Barcelona or chocolatety mud pie cakes.

Whilst staying in Hackney, London for a long weekend, I visited Stoke Newington Farmers' Market, where I sampled a range of organic raw milk products, met Hackney Growing Communities and came across Yam the Cassava's, Global Fusion Vegan Creole Bakery. We enjoyed many samples at Global Fusion's stall; coconut soda bread, banana bread and mango and linseed soda bread. After much deliberation (because they tasted so good), I bought a mango and linseed cake. Before leaving their stall and asking a fair few questions, we had to do one last thing; eat the remains from the sold out chocolate mud pie.

Self explanatory 

We did this 

Mango and Linseed vegan organic goodness

Outside the stall with legendary fritters and cake

On Sunday afternoon, we headed to Nottinghill Carnival for children's day. Apart from inventing back pack dancing and sharing it with the general public, whilst blowing my whistle with great enthusiasm, we also had some hearty food such as curry goat and rice from Kensington Temple and barbecued chicken with sweet chili sauce from the Filipino church group near St Johns Gardens. However, the thing that excited me the most that day, even more than thinking I'd spotted Levi Roots, was getting an actual slice of mud pie at Global Fusion's stall near Portabello Market. I got to meet the magnificent Colga Parker, Global Fusion's founder and learn more about her motivation behind her mainly organic, vegetarian and vegan repertoire. It may sound corny, but you can taste that a lot of time and dedication in her food.

Sadly, Colga is hoping to retire within the next couple of years, so if you want a slice, or an entire cake of her fabulous products, you have to do it soon. Keep your eyes peeled, you can find Global Fusion anywhere from Glastonbury festival to local farmers' markets across London.

On Sunday we got our hands on this..oh yes...