A Food Revolution - The Launch of Sloppy Joes

Craig Wilde launches Sloppy Joes

Image by Shelly Crawford Trevis Photography

For those of you who don’t know me, are not a tweeting pal or Facebook fan or Instagramite (?)... I’m Craig Wilde - Tv Presenter Voice over and Massive FOODY! 

This is my debut Food blog and takes the form of a speech I gave last Friday 25th July when I was invited to launch SLOPPY JOES, in Newcastle's celebrated Grainger Market.. 

25 years ago, a Yorkshireman - I arrived in Glasgow to study, and I watched how the former second city of our former British Empire had declined - but, through the 1990 City of Culture would lead to great things, a reinvention and something brighter out of the darkness of the declined shipping and Coal industries of the 19th and early 20th Centuries. 

Last Wednesday it came of age with the opening the Commonwealth Games - and no matter what you might comment on Susan Boyle forgetting the words to Mull of Kintyre or Rod Stewart, so Husky and hoarse - every time he sang we felt like passing him a lozenge! It was a signal that that City, once my home had again come of age in its reinvention. Its trade had now become its cultural capital and the dividend now echoes globally. 

Newcastle, 8 years ago I came to this fair city, another city which had been battered somewhat by the decline in Shipping, Coal and to some extent Steel - Heavy Industry had all but left the area...But Newcastle too is in the midst of reinvention - trading Culture for Coal. The similarities of the two cities are clear, both cities with two great rivers providing the trading route for great Industrial pasts. 

The key to a contemporary British Urban regeneration has been and continues to be Culturally based, side by side with Technology and Learning. Through the mix of students coming to the City from across the world and some settling here - better travelled locals - exposure to new cuisine, fresh ideas on food and service has kick started a gastronomic revolution in the city. From Puddin’s and pies to Pastries, Panini and Pastrami on Ryes - Sushi, Noodles Chicken Taco and Rice... and all things tasty and nice... Newcastle’s food & drink revolution has arrived!

John Phillips & Craig Wilde
Image by Shelly Crawford Trevis Photography

In 1835 The Grainger Market opened its doors as a Meat and Vegetable Market.  180 years on,  the Market has diversified to offer not just some of the best regional fresh produce; but Shoes, Services, Beer, Toys, and even has a new Turkish Bazaar to sit alongside that other famous bazaar the original Marks & Spencer Penny Bazaar .... 

But FOOD, Glorious FOOD...

John Phillips and his team have a long association with the Market, first with Oliver’s Bistro, The Deli and more recently The French Oven, and now SLOPPY JOES!  John not only has a vested interest as a one of the Markets entrepreneurs but also sits as Chair of the Traders association.

With the numerous Street Festivals in the City around monument and the Weekly Sunday Quayside Market, Street Food has, like many cities become a familiar sight - exposing our tastebuds to new flavours and textures, the pick up and go food - not just grub on the go - but food which feels like someone actually cared making it... 

Fast food does not have to mean bad food. Food can be fun, healthy, a treat, well made with great ingredients, locally sourced and ethical...Burgers with real meat and not the kind that was in a Gymkhana the week before! 

Mixed Spicy Chicken Prices platter

Why go to Spain for a Tomato when we have great fresh Tomatoes right here; and with this awesome weather, the crop of local produce looks set to be bumper this season! Food Miles are important and eating local using local produce are key to reducing our carbon footprint.

Sloppy Joes is that link between those occasional festival street treats and the regular lunchtime snack, the afternoon bite, the stroll around the Market, the City munch whilst shopping... 

It’s about great food, fresh, Local, with Bread made by the French Oven Bakery Team.. Great local Meats and Vegetables... Wrapped up, Slipped over, with sides or no sides... Sloppy Joes is about 21st Century Quality eating on the go and is another great culinary step in the City-Wide Food revolution .

As my Glasgow cousins taste the glory of their cultural revolution, Now you can, Newcastle’s can taste ours... Eat Fresh, Eat Local, Eat Street... Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Sloppy Joes! Open 6 Days a week in the Grainger Market! Go find it and tell them I sent you! 

Craig Wilde at Sloppy Joes - Image by Shelly Crawford Trevis Photography