18 FOOD & DRINK brixtonblog.com
2018 MARCH
REVIEW: GUZZL
Deli-belly Sacha Harrison meets Guzzl’s deli-entrepreneur Andrew Murray-Watson It’s been two years since everyone’s favourite deli, A&C Continental closed its doors on Atlantic Road and left a gap in our hearts (and bellies). But when one door closes, another one opens. Enter Guzzl. A deli in Brixton village and a foodies’ artisan Aladdin’s cave. Inside you’ll find every indulgent treat imaginable from salted caramel spreads and creamy nut butters to locally sourced charcuterie and boutique chocolate. And it’s not just food. Colourful designer crockery, reusable coffee cups and even the odd
bacon-curing kit. Guzzl’s founder, Andrew MurrayWatson has lived in Brixton for 14 years and for most of the week you can find him behind the shop counter right next to the hot chocolate station. Having worked as a business journalist and in corporate communications, he threw in the towel after a jaunt to the market. “I’ve always been into food. Last Spring I was walking around near Herne Hill farmers’ market in the pouring rain and thought, there’s got to be a better way of doing it than this.” Andrew and business associate,
Joe Storey-Scott (who owns 20 Storey gift shop in Market Row) became friends through their dogs, Lucas and Rockitt. After countless walks in the park discussing a potential Guzzl shop, they put forward a proposal for a unit in Brixton Village. “It was almost on a whim more than anything and then, suddenly, everything happened very fast”. After submitting the proposal, it took just over a month for Guzzl to open its doors. Fast-forward a year and Guzzl’s success can be measured by the steady flow of customers popping in to try a new batch of olive oil or to catch up on the latest food trend. This month it’s kimchi. Andrew and his team can also create hampers to suit your every foodie desires or you can sign up for a monthly subscription box. Vegans will like with the new vegan hampers that can be filled with treats such as hot chocolate paste, nut butters and seaweed snacks. Andrew’s suppliers are at the heart of the business with 20 located inside a five-mile radius.
His team of “guzzlers” sniff out the best products from independent producers, like Chocolates by Eloise, one of Andrew’s favourites. “It’s good quality dark chocolate – the flavours are perfect; like lemongrass and ginger and the sour cherry one is also very good.” For those excited about Easter coming up, expect decadent hampers
full of handmade Easter eggs, prosecco milk chocolate and salted caramel bites. Eat your heart out Willy Wonka. Pop into Guzzl to see Andrew and his dog, Lucas … Tuesday – Friday 10am-6.30pm, Saturday 10am – 7pm and Sun 11am – 6pm. And keep an eye out for the twice-monthly tasting events.
Brixton Village, SW9 8PR | guzzl.club | 020 7564 8909
Come on down to Electric Avenue’s favourite Caribbean restaurant and takeaway. Here at Healthy Eaters we serve freshly cooked, great value, great tasting authentic Caribbean food over the counter with speedy and friendly efficiency. So stop by for a take-away or sit a while and eat in. We have a downstairs eating area and we are open early lunchtime right through the afternoon.
17 Electric Avenue
Brixton SW9 8JP www.healthyeaters.co.uk 020 7274 4521
Stafford and the team, working tirelessly for Brixton