Charles Campion is The Smart Shopper

In days gone by the role of "ale taster" was highly important. He, or she, was a combination of public health official and weights-and-measures inspector. Now Old Spitalfields Market is reviving and modernising the role and seeking applications. The successful candidate will know a good deal about beer — both local and International brews — and also be passionate about promoting local food and drink in the Spitalfields area. Start with a short written application (closing date midnight May 23), then five finalists will be invited to an event on June 9 involving blind tastings and a presentation to the judges. The post is honorary and there are no fees but there will be considerable "benefits in kind"!
Details via londonaletaster.co.uk

Deli delights

The Mount Street Deli is scheduled to open on Monday, and is intended as a showcase for the food from the Caprice Group's portfolio of members' clubs and restaurants. So if you want to boost your dinner party cred with scotch eggs from Mark's Club, pizza or polpetto from Harry's Bar, or chocolate cake from Annabel's, you can pop round to 100 Mount Street. The deli will be open from 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-6pm Saturday. As well as takeaway the Deli will be open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and high tea.
Mount Street Deli, 100 Mount St, W1.

The spice is right

One of the finds at the recent Real Food Festival was a splendid range of authentic curry sauces. Branded "Mr Todiwala" they have been created by Cyrus Todiwala, chef/patron of the Cafe Spice Namaste restaurant in EC1. Choose from bhuna, makhani, vindaloo, chettinad, and dhansak dall. Elegant spicing, great depth of flavour. Mr Todiwala's sauces are available from the Real Food Festival stand at Borough Market on Thursdays. £3.50 for a 350g pouch (makes curry for 2/3 people).
Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, SE1, 020 7407 1002, boroughmarket.org.uk, mrtodiwala.com