Borough Market

Borough Market is rich with history, but it remains as relevant now as it has ever been. As London’s oldest food market, it has been serving the people of Southwark for 1,000 years, and that extraordinary heritage is an important part of its appeal.

But this is not a museum piece—it is a dynamic, ever-changing institution; a participant in the wider debates around what we eat and where it comes from; a place where food is talked about almost as enthusiastically as it is consumed.

First and foremost, though, it is a source of genuinely exceptional produce. Many of the Market’s stallholders are themselves producers: the farmer who reared the animal, the fisherman who caught the fish, the baker who baked the bread. Other traders have built their reputations on seeking out small-scale artisan producers and bringing their wares to Borough. Together, the Market’s stalls, shops and restaurants reflect London’s status as a truly global city, with traditional British produce sitting alongside regional specialities from around the world.

Borough Market is a riot of colours, smells and human engagement. The traders—a vast repository of culinary knowledge—are only too happy to share their expertise with shoppers, or else just pass the time of day. Their voices are added to by the chefs, food writers, campaigners and teachers who help make the Market’s cookery demonstrations, publications, public debates and educational programmes so highly regarded.

Current publication:

BOROUGH MARKET: THE KNOWLEDGE (October 2022)

Producing a great dish - a dish that celebrates the vibrancy and versatility of seasonal ingredients - doesn't have to be difficult and doesn't have to be expensive. All it needs is a knowledge of what to look for when we're buying ingredients, when to buy them, how to store them, how to prepare them and how best to cook them.

The Knowledge hosts intriguing in-depth features and unmissable Q&As with traders, along with visual step-by-step guides to preparing ingredients and lists of interesting seasonal produce. Moving through meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, dairy, bakery and store-cupboard ingredients, each chapter shares a collection of tantalising recipes that will teach you how to make the most of your produce, inspired by the incredible seasonal offerings from Borough Market traders.

Recipes include Roasted Cod's Head with Clams and Seaweed; One-pot Fragrant Spiced Lamb with Spinach Rice; Parsnip Gnocchi and Smoked Garlic Butter; Moong Dal Dosa with Masala Potatoes and Tomato Chutney; Rhubarb, Date and Orange Chutney; Ginger & Pink Peppercorn Baked Cheesecake.

Come away feeling confident and excited to use your newfound understanding of ingredients, armed with the market traders' unrivalled expertise, delightful seasonal recipes.

Praise: 

'Such a beautiful insight into one of my favourite London Markets. Insightful, knowledgeable and such a great peek into traders, produce and wonderful people that produce and sell amazing ingredients. If you love food and produce then this is a must have book on your shelf.' - Bettina Bordi

“What a joy to get to know the traders of Borough Market, to hear from them the best ways to handle and use their produce, and most of all, to have Angela Clutton’s exquisite recipes to inspire you to cook! What a joy!” - Claudia Roden

'What an important, fascinating book, not just for those of us that know and love Borough but for everyone that frequents their local market. A thorough guide in how to utilise the produce available to us, with insight and beautiful sounding recipes.' - Georgina Hayden

“In this book, Angela Clutton’s wonderful writing lets Borough Market’s beautiful produce and producers shine. Everything Angela puts on the page, we want to eat.” - Itamar Srulovich

'This will make the perfect gift to yourself as well as any friends across the world who have longed to visit London’s famous foodie market themselves. I love that we can learn from the traders themselves - their skills, dedication, company, banter and spirit make the market the success it is. Angela’s wizardry and food knowledge and friendliness and cheer add even more magic to this book. I’ve been shopping and eating at Borough market since I discovered it at my first job out of school working down Bermondsey Street. It’s a london must do and this book is a must have. Congrats to team BM!' - Melissa Hemsley

“The wonderful thing about this book is it connects the recipes to the experts at Borough Market. Tucked between pages full of delicious recipes are valuable insights gathered from the most passionate producers. From practical tips on how to prepare fresh crab or fillet round fish to making sense of why seasonality matters - The Knowledge is essential reading for anyone who cares about good food.” - Ravinder Bhogal

‘I love this new book about Borough Market which I have been visiting, off and on, for the last 30 years. The quality of the produce available there shines through these pages with really beautiful step by step guides to what to do with it all. This is a book for anyone who wants to get closer to cooking, to seizing the independence and happiness that preparing your own food gives you. It is a love letter to great quality ingredients and the magic things you can make with them.’ - Thomasina Miers

“’Borough Market: The Knowledge' does exactly what it says on the tin. Delving into the unique expertise of Borough's market traders, this book is an encyclopaedia and a celebration of the food, people, and energy of the market. It's the ultimate preamble for cooking!" - Yotam Ottolenghi

'A a treasure trove of culinary wisdom and inspiration that captures on paper the magic and the bustle of Borough Market. Its pages are brimming with exquisite produce, recipes, stories and practical tips that will transform the way you shop and cook for the better. This is a book that makes me long to cook (and to eat!).' - Skye McAlpine

Praise for: BOROUGH MARKET: EDIBLE HISTORIES - Epic tales of everyday ingredients 

Shortlisted for Debut Food Book of the Year at the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards 2021 

One of The Times Books of the Year 2020

'Fascinating and entertaining - a pleasure to read.' Claudia Roden

'The story of Borough Market mirrors the British food revolution. This book tells that story; deliciously, ingredient by ingredient'. - William Sitwell

'This is the perfect book for those moments when you find yourself in the kitchen wondering about how a particular ingredient found its way into our everyday culinary lives. It's as enticing as Borough Market always is, as witty as Mark Riddaway always is, and packed with the kind of knowledge I love'. - Angela Clutton

'Fascinating and entertaining - a pleasure to read'. - Claudia Roden

'It's so important that Borough and the food community are supported, and what better way of spreading the word than through the stories and histories of a most historic market that has become a unique beacon of good things'. - Jeremy Lee

'This book is for lovers of food and markets and history. It's also a book that everyone who eats should read. It is fascinating, informative and entertaining. Mark Riddaway effortlessly guides us though Borough, telling the story of the market and its produce with ease and grace'. - Kay Plunkett-Hogge

'Mark Riddaway's Edible Histories is thoroughly researched and engagingly written and belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in food history. Even if you are not interested, this is the book that will get you started'. - Mark Kurlansky