16 May 2007 - Live!

Ok.. Luardos is Live-O.

Had my first day trading at Brick Lane about 4 weeks ago and have since traded at Greenwich Market on Saturdays and Brick Lane on Sundays.

My first day: Sunday 22nd April.

My first day was ridiculous. I had done a few practice runs cooking for friends and family and all had gone really well. I have a chargrill in my van which is basically a gas burner below some charcoals and a grill. It's like a bar-b-q. I didn't have an extractor fan fitted.

Imagine having a bar-b-q in your kitchen.

People were outside the van looking hungry... I got my marinated chicken and steaks and slapped them on the chargrill. It started getting a bit smokey. When they were cooked I took them off, sliced them up and put them in fresh quesadillas and tacos. They were delicious and people loved them... so I cooked some more. Everytime I put some meat on the chargrill flames would leap out fuelled by the oil and spices in the marinade. My eyes were streaming and the van was filling up with smoke. I heard orders coming in but couldn't see from where. "Who said that?". Some fella ran up to the van - "I think you're on fire mate! Want me to call the fire brigade?"



It was the most stressful day of my life but incredibly rewarding in the end. Luckily I had my girlfriend Lianna there to help who was brilliant and who I would have been lost without. We realised that certain things weren't working and changed them around and in the end just about broke even. Learnt a hell of alot for the next time.

The next time was a party in a bar called Corbet Place... the "Bent and Blessed all-dayer" - It was wicked! Here are some photos:





Thank you John and Selina for the outstanding cooking and table service skills.

Since then it's been hard.. last weekend it rained constantly and trade was quiet. This weekend looks looks like it's gonna rain again. What happened to global warming?? I'm gonna start leaving the tap on when I brush my teeth and stop recycling. And wash all my pants on separate cycles. (Easy Ken.. not really).

I'm actually going to start temping to get cash to pay my rent while I work out somewhere to trade during the week. I reckon more trading days is really the only way of eliminating the gamble with the Great British weather.

On the plus side though I've got another festi booked in June called the Charlbury Riverside Festival (www.riversidefestival.charlbury.com) and a spot in the Whitecross Food Festival (www.whitecrossstreetmarket.co.uk) in the first weekend of June. Check it out, looks amazing! Plus there's another Bent and Blessed all-dayer on Sunday June 3rd. Praying for another sunny day. Waiting for confirmation on another festival called Bloom (www.bloomfestival.com) in August which looks like a winner.

Massive thanks to all my friend who have been unbelievably helpful and supportive. Special thanks to Insa for all his genius.