Smakus

Depending on who you are, much has been said about the recent influx of Eastern European people into our country; with some people arguing that they are good-for-nothing immigrants who steal 'our' jobs, whilst at the other end of the spectrum people are more welcoming of our brothers from a foreign mother. I am one such person, so it was with great interest and intrigue that I visited Smakus supermarket in Southport.

Offering a wide selection of Polish food for the increasingly large Eastern European contingent in the area, Smakus is a bit like going on holiday and going into one of those convenience stores that stocks Coco Pops and PG Tips even though you're in foreign climbs, except with Polish food instead.

The shop itself is pretty small but is jam-packed with various oddly-named goods that look somewhat strange yet appetising at the same time. Obviously most of the stuff here you won't recognise at all (or be able to pronounce) but some of the meat they had there did look very delicious and there was a fine range of packet sauces that would be useful to have if you fancied making a stew-based dish with a bit of a difference.

If you don't like buying any type of food that looks a bit different, then this place definitely isn't for you but if you fancy being a bit adventurous then Smakus is worth checking out.