Southern Soul Debuts at Canteen Food Hall

Smoked Meats, Homemade Buns –  A Fresh Take on Smokehouse Cuisine

Official Opening: 14 November

Open Daily: 11:30am–9pm

Canteen Food Hall & Bar, London SE10 0AX

Website here

In the heart of Design District on Greenwich Peninsula, London’s most visually iconic food hall, Canteen, is set to ignite the culinary scene with the launch of a new food vendor that promises extraordinary flavour and quality. Introducing Southern Soul, where low ‘n’ slow smoked meats are paired with homemade buns, pickles, and sauces, crafted to create an unforgettable hand-held feast. On 14th November, Southern Soul launches its first bricks-and-mortar site at Canteen; the Food Hall provides an established platform, and the infrastructure needed for this new street food concept to thrive. 

Southern Soul’s extraordinary buns represent Southern USA food culture at its finest. Hero dishes include Oak Smoked Pork Belly Rib, Applewood Smoked Chicken Thigh, Smoked & Pulled Beef Brisket, and Oak Smoked Beets, all served on freshly baked soft white buns with homemade pickles and dipping sauces. Southern Soul also offers a variety of healthy weekday lunch options with House and Seasonal Salads, which can be topped with Southern Soul’s signature smoked meats.

 

Created by seasoned chef Tom Goddard, Southern Soul is the product of his twin passions for low ‘n’ slow meats and artisanal bread-baking. The concept has been under development for many years during Tom’s decade worth of experience as a chef at London’s top steak and BBQ restaurants, including Hawksmoor and Smokestak, as well as his time as a baker at The Dusty Knuckle, and street food trading at KERB. Southern Soul finds a nurturing home at Canteen, equipping the new business with a secure site and the stability to grow, alongside a wealth of support from its team of industry experts. Southern Soul is set to be one of London’s most exciting new street food concepts, drawing inspiration from the rich BBQ culture of the Southern USA and infused with the vibrant spirit of its South London roots.

Tom Goddard, Head Chef and CEO of Southern Soul commented: ‘The driving force for starting Southern Soul was to do something I love and feel passionate about. My family is full of incredible home cooks that delight in bringing everyone together through great food, alongside a passion for music, and creating great memories. This is the essence of Southern USA cuisine. It is important for me to create something that is authentic and full of flavour, Southern food is exactly that. It is about the people you are with. It is about shared happiness. That’s what I want Southern Soul to represent. Launching our first permanent site at Canteen gives us a strong foundation to make a positive impact in the industry.’

Martin Kay, COO of Southern Soul, commented: ‘I was very fortunate to join Tom’s

‘family of foodies’, and am thrilled to help build this business with him. Startups are hard in any industry, let alone hospitality, but Canteen has an approach and team that give us

support and permanence. It’s the perfect next step for us.’

John-Luke Field, Group General Manager of Canteen Food Hall & Bureau, commented: ‘We’re so excited to be able to welcome Southern Soul to Canteen. Tom and Martin are a force to be reckoned with. Their dedication to quality, standout flavours, and admirable approach to staff welfare are fully aligned with our values at Canteen. We’re committed to supporting up-and-coming vendors and are confident that Southern Soul will be a huge hit with our customers, from Greenwich Peninsula residents and the Design District community to visitors.’

Canteen offers a culinary journey around the world, and Southern Soul fulfils a unique proposition in the Food Hall, joining five other globally inspired street food vendors. Hermanos, serving up classic Mexican street food; Juk Pou, pioneering London’s first congee and youtiao street food concept; Pasta Rebels, featuring fresh pasta bowls with bold flavours; Tapas Bravas, presenting Spanish specialities; and Choy House, offering freshly made South-East Asian noodles. 

Located just a one-minute walk from the O2 Arena, Canteen is the go-to independent choice for pre-show dining, visits to Greenwich Peninsula, and whole-venue private hire events. Guests can book tables or walk in to enjoy delicious food, hand-crafted cocktails, and live music from DJs and performers.