Maria Moruzzi celebrates 50 years at Borough Market

Borough Market chairman Donald Hyslop and managing director Keith Davis led the group of market staff and traders in the surprise presentation of a special gift and a cake replica of her cafe kiosk.

For the past decade Maria has presided over Maria's Market Cafe, but for four decades before that her family ran the Borough Cafe in nearby Park Street.

Last year the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall dropped in for a cup of tea during their visit to Borough Market.

Maria said: "Borough Market is my home. It's where I grew up. It's my security. It's everything. You walk in here and you feel cocooned – you feel the warmth of the place. My heart will always be here."

Donald Hyslop, chair of the market trustees, said: "For 50 years Maria has been serving up her legendary bubble and squeak, mugs of tea and words of wisdom to generations of Borough's shoppers and traders.

"She has seen the market through its evolution from a few stalls to the thriving, world-class market that we are today.

"Throughout, Maria's cafe has remained at the heart of the market and as we celebrate her golden anniversary, we'd like to say 'Thank you, Maria and here's to the next 50 years'."