A quick search on Instagram reveals more than 16.4 million #streetfood posts. People are clearly hungry for adventurous flavours influenced by different cultures. A quarter of consumers worldwide have consumed street food over the past year, according to the Innova Market Insights ‘Making Street Food Part of Everyday Life Globally’ report. Value for money was among the top drivers for choosing street food, stated the report, along with enjoyment and experience, highlighting the significance of affordability. In fact, street food trends research displays that 30% of consumers’ dining choices are influenced by inflation. Amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, Innova claims that foodservice operators are leveraging street food’s budget-friendly appeal to attract cost-conscious consumers. What’s more, with research from the Hartman Group showing that 32% of Gen Z love trying new types of cuisines and foods, while 50% desire more meals with unique flavours or different cuisines, offering street food could be a fantastic way to broaden your appeal to younger customers. Whether you’re serving street eats via a food van or simply want to add some urban options to liven up your restaurant menu, our Great Market Foods serving suggestions will have customers clamouring for more. Pulled Pork Tacos are a surefire winner for those looking for some Mexican-style munchies. These soft-shell tacos are made using our Chefs Larder 6-inch Plain Tortilla Wraps. Lion Smoky Bourbon BBQ Cooking Sauce will give your pork plenty of punch, while avocado, tomato and coriander bring some colour to the dish. Add a few slices of lime on the side for extra zing and these tasty tacos will be the talk of the town. Sell them at a pocket friendly £3.50 and there’s a cash profit of £1 to be made.

Why not take inspiration from the Caribbean for another market food favourite: Jamaican Jerk Ribs. The spice is always right with our Santa Maria Kingston Style Jamaican Jerk Seasoning. Add a hearty helping of sweet potato fries to your ribs and you’re well on your way to delivering a delicious and filling dish, with a playful kick and plenty of profit. When sold at £12.75, this flavoursome feast delivers a cash profit of £7.11.

Nowhere does street food like the States, and you can’t go wrong with a Boston Butt Brioche. Our juicy Blackgate Signature Pork Carvery Shoulder topped with tangy Chef’s Larder Coleslaw form the heart of this scrumptious smackerel, which will most definitely hit the spot. At a cost of £2 per serving, if you price this at £7.25, you’re looking at a scrumptious 70% profit.

For a brioche with even more bite, look no further than our Brisket Roll with Beer Onions and Blue Cheese. Beef Brisket smothered in Chef’s Larder Tuxford and Tebbutt Blue Stilton and Farm Fresh Cooking Onion is guaranteed to take customers to their happy place and, priced at £8.50, they’re getting plenty of bang for their buck. A cash profit of £4.74 makes this a no-brainer for maximising your market food sales.

If it’s comfort food your customers are in search of, then Thor’s Hammer (Shin of Beef) with Mac ‘n’ Cheese brings it in ladles. From the tender, top-quality beef to the mouthwatering macaroni, every bite of this godly dish rewards the customer with fabulously rich flavour and the £6.12 cash profit when sold at £11.25 makes it a most appealing addition to the menu.

The beauty of street food is in its diversity and adaptability as new trends from across the globe offer the chance to constantly evolve and expand your repertoire. Be it the fragrant spices of Turkey, or the vibrance of Mexican cuisine, with so many exciting options to choose from, you are bound to find some showstopping serves to suit the needs of your individual customer base. And with a little help from Booker, you can ensure that the quality is superior and the profits are as impressive as the dishes themselves. Healthier options There could well be an opportunity to attract more people to your market food offer by ensuring you provide healthier options. One in two consumers globally desire more healthy options when eating out, which appear to be underrepresented in the street food realm, according to Innova Market Insights. However, the group observes that many restaurants and foodservice chains are incorporating healthy options into their menus. The firm points to Australian foodservice chain Mad Mex, which launched a healthier Chicken Al Pastor dish inspired by Mexican street food and ‘Double Pollo Fit Bowls’ with chicken, avocado, and fresh vegetables from fast food chain El Pollo Loco. Offering a chicken dish gives customers a healthier option, without any compromise on flavour. Perhaps you could transport your customers to the Middle East with an irresistible Chicken Shawarma. Serve your skewered, spiced chicken on Booker’s newly listed Khobez flatbread with a medley of red onion, tomatoes, chilli peppers, and a scattering of mint leaves. A few dollops of Henna fat-free yoghurt to balance the dish and you're good to go. At a cost price of £1.90, if you sell it at our recommended price of £7.50, you’re looking at 70% profit.