insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 04 - June 2015 | Page 33

food+drink their vision. Knowing London well, it came as a bit of a shock when they realised that there was nowhere to find great quality, great tasting street food in Brighton. They knew that if they could find the perfect location, they would be able to populate it with exceptional street food vendors from Brighton and the surrounding area. They did, and it has gone from strength to strength. and it wouldn’t be fair on the customers either, with vendors competing in price wars which would, of course, ultimately affect the quality of the food they served. Sustainability is another very important aspect of the vision behind Street Diner. There is no plastic allowed, for example, and the food should be locally sourced wherever possible. It is this attention to what the customers want that sets this venture apart from many others. This is not about profits; this is about making something good for the local Brighton community. But why so popular? As Christine herself says, this is diverse, global street food that is made by local people for local people (and those who want to travel to try out the range of wonderful food on offer!) – it is restaurant quality food, ‘sitting down food’, that just happens to be enjoyed standing up, in the most convivial atmosphere around, and at a fraction of the cost. This is clearly an outdoor event, and Christina was keen to confirm that the Street Diner goes ahead, no matter what the weather is up to. After all, people always need to eat their lunch, and if they can be guaranteed delicious food at great prices made in front of their eyes – and a vast array of it too, with plenty of choice – they will return even in the dead of winter, There is never a clash of vendors either, no doubling up – that’s a rule. It wouldn’t be fair on the stall holders to find they had direct competition, 33