Forks at dawn for third round foodie showdown

The food fight is back at the Glad Cafe, hot on the heels of the Shawlands venue’s successful Soul Food Sisters Thai pop-up —proving once again that the southside is the place to be for all things foodie.

The showdown first appeared in The Extra in January, when Indian eatery Babu Bombay Street Kitchen went head to head with West Indies pop-up Fire in Babylon in what organiser, Babylon’s Michael Smith, told The Extra was a friendly competition to “bring people together”.

Diners at the first event were treated to Babu’s sev puri, keema mattar and vada pau (spicy potato burger), as well as Babylon’s roadside snack doubles, curry goat and Jamaican ginger cake.

And it was a victory for the West Indies, with Babylon claiming the title — and a glowing review in The Extra, which read: “Fire in Babylon won that round of the cook-off, making it three each across the weekend — but if these dishes were anything to go by, both are equally deserving of the foodie crown.”

Fire in Babylon also claimed the title at a round two rematch, held in June at the southside cafe.

Now, Babu’s Rachna Dheer is back in the kitchen and facing up against new contender Beep Beep Tuk Tuk, serving up Malaysian fare.

Organisers have yet to announce details of the four course menu, but a spokesman said: “One of the dishes you’ll be tasting this weekend if you’re coming to the Street Food Showdown is ragda patties — potato mashed with ginger and chilli, pan-fried and served with chickpeas, chaat masala, tamarind sauce, green and red chilli sauce, lime and coriander. A taste sensation.”

He added: “We are delighted to be holding what looks to be another sold out Street Food Showdown. I’ve tasted all the dishes myself and it’s going to be a nail-biting battle between Babu and Beep Beep, because every dish is a total taste party.”

The Southside Street Food Showdown runs Friday and Saturday (November 7-8), with two sittings (7pm and 9pm) and limited availability left.

Tickets are £5 and the four course meal is £15 (payable on the night) — see streetfoodshowdown.bigcartel.com.