Hot on the heels of last weeks interview with BackDoor Kitchen we caught up with Selina from Yummy Choo, who not only do Supperclubs in the depths of Croydon, they also plan to bring the Beach to Balham on Friday 2nd August. Warning: this interview might make you hungry!
Hey Selina, so tell us about your pop up
At Yummy Choo we bring the sunshine food of Mauritius to London, we host a supperclub monthly at YC HQ in Croydon and pop up monthly all over London! Our next one is 2nd August, we are bringing the “Beach to Balham” with several traditional & inspired courses all in a cosy, quirky setting, whilst dining to sega music to transport our guests to the Island.
What inspired you to set it up?
I realised that there were not many places to get home-cooked Mauritian food and having learnt recipes from family it because my daily mission to spread the word about this tropical sunshine food close to my heart. By setting up a supper club first it was the easiest way to get our cuisine out there without the overhead and costs of jumping into a restaurant. It became a great way to meet new people, feed the public and gets people educated on Mauritian food.
What makes your pop up so special/unique?
We are the only Mauritian supper club so far! We offer a laid back experience for diners, giving them a great variety of food to try, good value for money and an introduction or reminder about Mauritian cuisine. People enjoy the experience, meeting new people and we have some guests who come back for more!
What is your favourite memory so far?
I think the memories that stick with me are when I get guests coming up to me saying how much they enjoy the food, then it makes it all seem worth it!
Where can we normally find you?
Hiding in Croydon where we run our supper club from, but from time to time we are popping up all over, 2nd August in Balham, 15th Catford Broadway and in the pipeline 1st Sept a Mauritian Rum Tasting & Food Pop Up. We also will appear at a few local food markets and have cookery classes lined up in Autumn.
Why did you choose those locations and what makes them special?
I love doing pop ups in South London (its home!) you get some great crowds in Clapham. Balham, Brixton but I do pop-ups all over London from Maida Vale, Dalston to Park Lane, as long as the venue feels right and fits our style of cuisine to create the right ambiance, that’s what matters.
What is your signature/favourite dish and drink etc?
Well guess so far guests have loved our fish vindaye (pickled mustard fish, served cold traditionally) my favourite drink especially over Summer is a traditional Alouda (made with agar jelly, basil seeds, vanilla milk) or something stronger using Mauritian rum mixed with fresh blended lychees, mint, lime and on the rocks. Heaven!
Why should we come and visit you?
Because if you have yet to try Mauritian cuisine our supper clubs and pop-ups are the best places to start!
Aside from yourselves what is your favourite Pop Up?
So far Darjeeling Express, serves the most amazing Indian food, I would go back, again and again, this time I’ll take my parents with me (which says something)
Finally what exciting events, news etc. have you got coming up?
We have our Mauritian Sizzling Summer Supper on 26th July from our home in Croydon, for a true supper club-style experience. 2nd August sees us bring the Beach to Balham pop up, we also are doing a supper club on Catford Broadway on 15th August
For more info about their upcoming events visit their website or head over to Edible Experiences to book tickets for Beach to Balham
Follow @yummychooeats
London Life’s Pop Up interview’s are supported by London Bio Packaging www.londonbiopackaging.com