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19 Black-Owned Food And Drink Businesses To Support In The UK
Solidarity goes beyond one day of support.
It's no secret that there's a wealth of independent businesses in the UK's food and drink industry - and a pretty large proportion of them are out of this world.
It's usually a thriving industry and the largest sector that millennials spend their money in. However, due to the current pandemic, these businesses are struggling in a way that hasn't been seen before.
BAME business owners make up only 7.1% of business owners in the UK's food and drink industry - meaning that Black business owners are an even smaller percentage. As the Black Lives Matter movement reaches new heights after the death of George Floyd, it's become very clear that there is so much more we should be doing to amplify Black voices across the country. It's time to put our money where our mouths are, basically.
We took to Instagram and asked our followers to send us a list of their favourite food Instagrams, restaurants, blogs and food delivery services run by Black people in the UK. The
This list is only a starting place, of course. We actively encourage you to find Black-owned businesses to support across all sectors. If you're looking for somewhere to search for more Black-owned businesses you can support, here's a helpful directory. Discount card and discovery website Jamii is also a great resource as it makes it super easy to support and shop with independent Black-owned businesses all over the UK. You can find out more here.
Please take your time to browse, follow, like and bookmark. Solidarity goes beyond one day of showing support. It's time to show up, in every way we can.
Melissa Thompson @fowlmouthsfood
Melissa is a food writer and food podcaster who cooks up everything from extravagant slow-smoked brisket and from-scratch pork belly ramen to PROPER chips and this fry up that, quite frankly, is making us super hungry rn.
You can tell from her food pics that she's got experience in the kitchen (she used to run a pop-up restaurant) but now spends most of her days creating gorgeous recipes at home and chatting all things food on her podcast, Get Back In The Kitchen.
Brooklyn Brownie Co.
This delivery service run by a father and son deals with all things sweet, and they do NOT operate by halves. Their range includes Birthday Cake, Reese's, KitKat, Kinder Bueno, Cinnamon Bun, Doughnut and Biscoff - and that's just to name a few. If you can get a sweet craving for it, they've probably put it on a brownie at some point.
The dessert duo are based in Northampton but they ship all over the UK. Check out their website here for a full range of their products.
Selasi Gbormittah @selasigb
You probably remember this super-chilled Patissiere from Great British Bake Off series 7 where he became the most unfazed baker the tent has ever seen.
Since then, his baking has gone up a notch. You can catch him over on Instagram cooking up all manner of delicate cakes and delights and sharing his techniques on Insta Stories.
Esme @london_afro_vegan
Deserted Cactus is a one-woman vegan restaurant in Peckham, South London. There's no menu and only a couple of tables - but you can be sure that whatever's cooking that day is going to be DELICIOUS.
Featuring everything from Caribbean-inspired comfort foods to British fry-ups, Southern-fried jackfruit and some of the best vegan mac and cheese I've ever eaten, you can be sure to eat well, leave full, and smuggle in your entire 5-a-day in the process.
It's temporarily closed due to the virus but be sure to follow Esme's pages now ready for when she's back up and running.
Original Flava @OriginalFlava
These brothers from London are all about putting their own little spin on authentic Caribbean recipes. Originally just a YouTube channel, their recipes and videos are now popular around the world - and their first cook book became a #1 bestseller overnight.
Drums & Flats @drumsandflats
When it comes to wings in London, they don't come much better than Drums & Flats. From classic Buffalo Sauce to Jerk with Mango Salsa and Garlic & Parmesan, their wing menu leaves no flavour profile unturned. Don't forget to order some hand-cut chips, halloumi fries mac and cheese to go alongside.
Catch them at BoxPark Wembley - or get them delivered straight to your door if you're South East London based.
Kareem Roberts @brokedinner
Want to learn how to take your plating to the next level? Kareem Roberts is all about taking home cooking above and beyond expectations - just check out this Goat Curry! Follow along on his Instagram Stories to watch how he makes restaurant-quality dishes in his kitchen at home - you'll want to take notes.
Joyce @joycek
Private Chef and Supper Club host Joyce makes gorgeous plates of food that are both bursting with fresh ingredients and bags of flavour, like this Sweet Chilli Salmon bowl.
Don't forget to check out her saved highlights for easy guides on how to recreate all your fave restaurant classics, including calzones, bao buns and homemade Five Guys.
Treats Club @thetreatsclub
Treats Club isn't for the faint of heart - this dessert paradise is 99% sugar, and we freaking LOVE it for it. You can buy everything from speciality marshmallow fluff (HELLO BISCOFF FLUFF 😍), homemade doughnuts and DIY hot doughnut kits delivered straight to your door.
These molten Oreo hot doughnut kits are the stuff of DREAMS and we can't wait for ours to arrive.
Rachel Ama @rachelama_
Cook book author and vegan influencer Rachel Ama is all about nutritious, delicious meals and tempting desserts as part of a plant-based diet. She shares plenty of super easy (and delicious) recipes on her Instagram - and if they tickle your fancy, you can chec out her cook book, Rachel Ama's Vegan Eats, which has been highly praised by the likes of Nigella Lawson and Ruby Tandoh.
Zoe Adjonyoh A.K.A. Zoe's Ghana Kitchen @zoeadjonyoh
Food writer and supper club host Zoe Adjonyoh hosted her first supper club 10 years ago, serving hot food outside her terraced house during the Hackney Arts Festival. Since then, Zoe has hosted dozens of supper clubs in and around her local area - and you can always see her cooking up a storm on Instagram.
Due to the current pandemic, Zoe has redirected her cooking towards feeding her local community and those struggling to afford meals for their families as a result of reduced income. You can donate to Zoe's campaign here.
2 Nigerian Boys @2.nigerianboys
These masters of Jollof rice are London street food connoisseurs. Although they're currently closed due to the pandemic, you can catch them either at Spitalfields or KERB Canary Wharf once they're back up and running. Expect hearty bowls of Jollof Rice with Nigerian stews, golden fried plantain and good vibes.
Coffee Shotter @coffeeshotter
This independent café in Croydon prides itself on using only ethically sourced, locally roasted coffee in their plant-based café. They are currently closed due to the pandemic, but once they re-open, we strongly encourage you to pop by for a bag of beans or a cup of joe and a slice of something delicious.
@prettyeater
Prepare for this Brighton-based food blogger's Instagram account to make you want to invest in a range of pale pink crockery and bake up a batch of picture-perfect peach cookies.
Not only are her pictures serene, calming and oh-so aesthetically pleasing, but her easy-to-recreate sweet treats and savoury snacks will make you want to get in the kitchen pronto.
Uncle John's @unclejohnsbakery
Depending on where you live, you might already recognise the yellow label on this famous North London bakery's goods.
Considered the first Ghanian bakery in London with an authentic sweet bread recipe, Uncle John's is now an established and well-loved brand in the capital. Head to one of their branches or stockists for a real taste of Ghanian baking - including Bofrot (Ghanian doughnut), Chin Chin (savoury bread sticks), patties and cakes.
Bubz @cookingwithbubz
This Manchester foodie is all about recreating all the biggest, boldest flavours from street foods around the world. Expect noodles, burgers, peri peri chicken and more. Glazed wings, fries, and a side of halloumi, anyone?
Tiff @vegan_at_tiffs
This influencer is all about enjoying nutritious, balanced food and exploring some of the best vegan-friendly restaurants all across the capital. Expect honest and helpful reviews, colourful plates of food and delicious recipe inspo!
Teri Ann @teriannskitchen
Passionate about creating nutritious food for her family, check out Teri Ann's YouTube channel for videos on how to create authentic St Lucian recipes including Season Rice, Oxtail Stew, Plantain Fritters, Dumplings and more. Prepare to become seriously ravenous as you browse, however.
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