'Brilliant' street food spot in Somerset is chosen as one of UK's 'best'

A street food stall in Somerset has been selected as one of the 'best' after reaching the finals of a UK food competition. Mahalia’s Kitchen, described by awards organisers as 'a brilliant local Frome and Somerset street food trader,' has been shortlisted in the ‘Best Street Food Trader’ category at the National UK Caribbean Food Awards.

The popular street food stall will go up against three others in Kent, Nottingham and London. The UK Caribbean Food Awards, in partnership with Deliveroo and KERB is back for 2024 and set to take place on Monday, December 9, at iconic venue The Clapham Grand in London.

Posting on Facebook, Mahalia Purchase said: "I am extremely grateful and happy to have been selected as a finalist. I am still in shock actually.

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"Thank you to everyone who nominated Mahalia's Kitchen as your best Caribbean Street Food Trader here in Somerset. As far as I know I am the only Guyanese Street Food Trader in the South West. Guyana, I am proudly flying our flag and sharing awareness of our culture through our flavoursome food in this corner of the world.

"Hopefully we win this category. Which will be in memory of my beloved sister who passed four weeks ago."

The prestigious awards, founded by Dawn Burton and Marsha Barnett, mark one of the most anticipated food events of the year. They offer a platform to honour the best Caribbean restaurants in over twenty unique categories across the UK.

Whether a restaurateur, food entrepreneur, or devoted Caribbean food enthusiast, now is the chance to recognise the Caribbean food establishments and individuals who are pushing boundaries and elevating Caribbean cuisine. A total of 51 nominees have been shortlisted for the 2024 awards, ranging from Best Takeaway, sponsored by Deliveroo, to Best Street Food Trader, sponsored by KERB, and the most sought-after award, Best Caribbean Restaurant of the Year.

The finalists of the coveted ‘Best Caribbean Takeaway’ award category - sponsored by Deliveroo - went head to head in a cook-off competition hosted at one of delivery app’s Editions Kitchens in London. The finalist restaurateurs prepared popular dishes from their menu for a panel of judges, including the award co-founders Dawn Burton and Marsha Barnett, Jackson McLarty, founder of Black Eats LDN, and Oke Omoniyi, a food content creator from Deliveroo, with the winner to be announced at the awards ceremony event in December.

The winners will be announced on Monday 9th December 2024, offering the UK a line-up of top-tier contenders in Caribbean businesses.

Dawn Burton, Co-Founder & Director of UK Caribbean Food Awards, said: “We could not be more excited that UK Caribbean Food Awards is back for 2024 and are delighted to be making it happen with the support of Deliveroo and KERB. The awards are all about bringing together the black-owned businesses that bring the Caribbean to life across the UK, giving them a national stage to be celebrated. Good luck to all nominees – we can’t wait to celebrate the best of the best in Caribbean cuisine with you."