Today, we have an interview with James from The British Kitchen. Come on down to Jiashan this Saturday, 11 – 4, to see all his amazing baked goods!
How long have you been in business?
The British Kitchen has been open for business since June 2012 so we have been selling our products for just over a year – and what a year it has been!
What is your background? How did you end up in the business you’re in?
Interesting enough my professional background isn’t food related, but rather the design Industry. I decided to set up The British Kitchen as I love eating and making food, but found it impossible to find some of the most interesting traditional British desserts I typically enjoy eating back home. This has formed the cornerstone of what we make for the markets – to this day I have yet to find someone else who makes Lemon Drizzle Cakes, Peppermint Caramels and Apple and Plum Crumbles here in Shanghai.
What has been the biggest challenge so far in the running and setting up of your business?
Without a doubt is has to be balancing a full time Architect’s job with what feels like being a full time baker! I do most of the cooking for the Markets after work on a Friday after work and so all too often find myself icing fairycakes or wrapping caramels at 1am. I secretly quite enjoy the all the craziness though!
Out of all your products, which is your favourite?
Tough question! If I was pushed though it would either be our Lemon Drizzle Cakes, British Brownies, or Gingerbread. In fact the Gingerbread we make is quite unique and takes its inspirations from a small yet world famous shop in Grasmere, England. We even make our own preserved ginger for the recipe – that’s how serious we are about flavour!
Have you any advice for someone setting up a market stall for the first time?
Make sure you’re organised and write a list for everything you think you’ll need. Also think about how you want your display to look before you come – you might have the best product in the world but it has to grab the attention of the customer within the first 5 seconds. And of course the selling is so much fun so don’t forget to enjoy yourself!
What do you enjoy most about the Shanghai Saturday Markets?
I really enjoy just talking to customers and other stall owners, both regular and new – whether it be about food, their next holiday, or just simply life in Shanghai, it always feels like a big family gathering.
Finally, what is your favourite place in Shanghai/thing to do in Shanghai?
Food of course, but at risk of sounding like a total glutton I will say watching lightening storms. The Architectural Practice I work for is quite high up in the sky, and I remember being glued to the window for an hour last year during a particularly intense one. Every 30 seconds there would be a dazzling fork of lightening, followed by a rumble so loud it made the glass shake.