The Food Stories

Maria from Genoa   Painting of Maria by my sister, Amy Perlin. “I was 7 when the war finished. I remember hearing the bombs dropping down and we’d run into the bomb shelter, my family and neighbours. I didn’t fully understuntand what was going on. Food was rationed. My dad was a shoe maker and would exchange sh oes for food with the local farmers, who would give him bread, cheese, salami, milk, rabbits and chickens for everyone to share. Although the war was a terrible time, I had so much fun in that bomb shelter, it brought the community together.”   A face with a unique and untold story, Maria Rossi ran the Green Gate Cafe with her husband, John, on Hanbury Street in East London for 54 years, from 1946 to 2000. In the late 70’s the cafe was renamed “Rossi’s”. I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon chatting with Maria at her charming home in North London. It was my first time meeting Maria and I didn't know what to expect. I felt welcomed into her home l...