A feast of flavours

In a fusion of east meets west, we check out some of this summer’s hottest new food businesses.

As we eagerly await the summer sun, dining al fresco has just become much more enticing thanks to three local Cornish businesses. Supported in setting up their ventures by leading business start-up experts, Outset Cornwall, Casita Lupe, Taparty and Sharmi’s Kitchen are cooking up a treat throughout the county with their mix of Latin American, Spanish and Indian cuisines.

“We will decorate the truck to create an enticing atmosphere that offers a little of the spirit of South America and its appetising food culture.”

So, if you’re looking for a fresh alternative to the traditional British banger, why not check out the fusion of exotic flavours from the wholesome Cassava flatbread from Cuba to authentic Spanish paella and Kolkata street food?

Founder of Casita Lupe, Brazilian born Flavio Silva came up with the idea of creating and selling Latin inspired food after seeing a gap in the street food market while attending summer festivals. 

Flavio and his team have great passion for the food they cook, sourcing seasonal organic vegetables wherever possible, often from their own allotment in Gwithian. 

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free alternatives are also always available. The team are now busy preparing for the summer festival season, with bookings already secured at the St Ives Food and Kindred Spirits Festivals among many others, as well as private parties, events and weddings.

The Casita Lupe food truck will give customers a visual idea of where the food comes from, as Flavio explains. “We will decorate the truck to create an enticing atmosphere that offers a little of the spirit of South America and its appetising food culture.”

Globetrotting from Brazil to Spain, we meet the inspiration behind Taparty, Ana Lozar. Ana is keen for her business to reflect the Spanish tapas culture, which is very much a way of life in her native Spain. Taparty offers a wide selection of tapas, all distinctive of different parts of Spain, bringing to your table the most popular tapas and also those less well known but equally tasty and delicious.

Passionate about sharing her delicious homemade dishes throughout Cornwall, Ana offers a private chef service, bringing a bespoke menu to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. If you feel inspired to give it a go yourself, why not learn to cook new and exciting dishes at one Ana’s Spanish cookery classes?

Like Flavio, Ana is also looking forward to bringing her brand of street food to the markets and festivals of Cornwall this summer. You can see Taparty at ‘The Market’ in Crantock Village Hall on the first Saturday of each month. Ana will also be offering paella parties to self-catering holiday cottages as well as wood fired grill parties with sangria on the beach for surf clubs and hen parties.

Moving our focus from west to east, we meet with enthusiastic chef Sharmistha Roy who has successfully launched her authentic Indian cookery business, Sharmi’s Kitchen.

Sharmista has long enjoyed a passion for creating healthy yet tasty food and was supported by her family to start the business. “My husband encouraged me to bring the authentic taste of Kolkata’s healthy, home cooked street food to the people of Cornwall,” she says.

Sharmi’s Kitchen has been bringing creative ideas and culinary talent to private dinner parties throughout Cornwall. You can also sample the culinary delights of Indian cuisine at food markets in Truro and Falmouth.

Hopefully your taste buds are now tingling with excitement, so why not give these new foodie businesses a try!

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Funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Liverty and the Outset Foundation, Outset Cornwall provides a flexible programme of business start-up support, helping individuals explore their business idea through information sessions, specialist workshops and one-to-one coaching.