food by day

I love food, and I really enjoy visiting local markets.  Last weekend I had the opportunity to see the Birmingham wholesale markets.  There was one slight issue, I had to wake up at 3.40AM to meetup at 4AM. 

Neil - Interviewed for Big Paws by @Bounder - Taken by Lee Allen

Yes you heard it, 3.40.  That was taken shortly after 4, all in aid of the 4AM Project. So a group of 30 people, were off wondering around Birmingham New St station at this ungodly hour.  Check out the flickr stream, to see the pictures from around the world.

We headed off to the wholesale markets, whilst walking past a cocktail maker who was flaring (aka showing off) by the bus stop at 4.30AM!  He looked surprised to see us.

I was amazed at the size of the warehouse that hosted the fruit/veg.  There were many stores selling their wares.  

An array of colour - Fruit & Veg.

Flower Choice - By Pete Ashton

It was a really nice change to be up so early, though we were starting to get hungry.  Luckily, we had been told about a cafe to hit, so at around 5.30 I ordered the ‘full’ breakfast for £4.50.  Bargain I thought. Unfortunately, I hadn’t seen anyone else order this.  

A Full Breakfast - By Nicky Getgood

Underneath all of that, theres a tin of beans.  Suffice to say, I did not manage to finish it all. Infact I’d say I made a small dent into it.  So if you hit the cafe, just order a bap – it will be big enough.

After all that fun, I hit home and slept for a few hours.  Before heading back to the ‘normal’ markets, which only open at 9AM.  I was after some ingredients for a pork pie, and other goodies (I couldn’t get into the Meat area of wholesale unfortunately).  Though when I asked around for pigs trotters, I got told that I was too late.

Not impressed! 

Market goodies lately have included: Boar Sausages, Local Ales, Pork Shoulder, Oysters, Mussels and a wide array of vegetables.  Tasty.