Dom and Brasserie Bread

Every Sunday without fail you will find Dom selling his artisan Brasserie Bread at Frenchs Forest Markets, so we figured why not do a segment which might be slightly different (but still just as important) about Dom, the markets and life as a Brasserie Bread'er'er.

It will contain some seriously cool information from Brasserie Bread with a dash of Frenchs Forest Market input...so let's do it!

Brasserie Bread has had an incredibly long association with Organic Food Markets. Can you enlighten us as to how this "introduction" came to be

Brasserie Bread has been actively involved in farmer's markets in Sydney for the past 7 years.  It's a very important part of our wholesale business.

Farmer's Market shoppers also share their experience with lots of other people, both good and bad!  This certainly keeps us on our toes and gives us invaluable insight for future product development.

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Week in, week out whatever the weather may be, Dom is at Frenchs Forest every Sunday and has his setting up routine so down-pat, he is ready to sell them loaves for the early birder's.

He is an incredibly engaging person with his customers, always has a HUGE smile and a sample on offer and the most impressive ability to remember faces and preferences. 

It has also been known that at times those who may not have necessarily have made a conscious decision to purchase outside their regular order, have come away with two or three loaves or other goodies more than they intended...such Dom's way!

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Your bread is known for winning many medals at many Easter Shows which is a testament as to how good your products are. What would be your best seller at any given time

Definitely our organic sourdough which is made with organic unbleached flour, Murray River salt and our 18 year old sourdough starter.

Our Quinoa & Soya Sourdough also have a big following.  It's packed with nutritious soya beans and five seeds including quinoa.

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Does Brasserie Bread deliver to market sites or does the stallie collect from the bakery

They pick up from our Banksmeadow Bakery

Hats off to Dom for his early early start to make sure you get your 

bread beautifully fresh and crunchy!

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Another thing we love about Brasserie Bread is they cater for those with a sweet tooth and is it any wonder with scrummies like these

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How would you sum up the world of Brasserie Bread in 5 words

Honouring traditions of artisan baking

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And with that we thank Brasserie Bread for sharing just some of their amazing history with us and for those who haven't met Dom at Frenchs Forest Markets it's pretty easy to find him.  Just follow that voice "BEAUTIFUL ORGANIC SOURDOUGH" and you will find nirvana

Celebratory end of July 2013 Shout out!

Jacquie

@jac

Aimee

Frenchs Forest Diva

Cheese Lover

Kylie

@studio2103

katrina

5 Questions with The Farmer's Wife

It's only been in recent times that you have been the "face" of The Farmer's Wife (which we adore!).  How long as The Farmer's Wife been part of the Frenchs Forest Market community and when did you take over the reins

preparing for her close up

I've been "The Farmer's Wife" for nearly 3 years, since September 2010.  The Farmer's Wife has been part of Frenchs Forest Markets for many years with the original Farmer's Wife being from Mudgee.

What is it about market life that makes it all worthwhile

I love coming to markets and seeing all my lovely customers (young and old) enjoying our produce, especially my jams and chutneys which are all home made by moi!

I love working with other stallholders. Ensuring that the customer is happy with my produce is a fantastic experience and when the sun shines there is no better way to spend a morning!

What has been one of the biggest or bizarre orders of any product you have had to date

I make in total approximately 45 different products and am amazed at the requests for something I don't have/make

With your mum in tow, you both always with a smile and love to share despite/inspite early starts.  From start to finish, how long does it take to stock up/load up and get ready for market day

I try to cook 4 to 5 jams and/or chutneys every day otherwise I can't keep up.  Once a week I collect eggs from the markets and once a month Mum and I drive to Mudgee to pick up the best honey you will ever eat!  

It takes approximately 1 hour to drive to Frenchs Forest and 1 hour to set up, but only 30 mins to pack down.  But the drive home?  90 mins....Sunday traffic.

If you could sum up Frenchs Forest Markets in 5 words, what would they be

Great food, atmosphere, customers and parking!

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We love the, we know YOU love them so huge thanks to Wendy for spending some time and giving us a little bit of insight in to exactly how that Farmer got the Wife!

5 Questions with the Queen of Sprouts

You specialise in sprouts and all things organic.  What was the impetus for you to choose this life's path

The chemicals used to grow conventional foods are damaging for our health, development of babies and young children.  We are organic creatures and therefore our bodies cannot assimilate non-organic chemicals.

Synthetic fertilisers used in growing conventional foods are salts and chemicals; some of the chemicals have been banned in other countries....Salt makes the plant thirsty, makes it drink up the chemicals and therefore the cell wall gets bigger and bigger making a great target for insect attack and therefore the growers use pesticides on food to keep insect attack to the minimal.

One study I read on apples 6 years ago found up to 17 types of biocides on conventionally grown apples....YUCKKKKKKK

can you spot the difference?

I studied organic farming and it's the only way to go ORGANIC!

During your time as a Frenchs Forest stallie, what changes have you noticed in the way that people not only choose to shop, but perhaps alter their lifestyles in way way (however small it may be) "we" can try to keep that carbon footprint a little less today than it was yesterday so to speak

It's not so much the carbon footprint that people are concerned about.  It's more about people realising the health problems resulting from foods grown with non-organic chemicals.

I have quite a few customers who have cancer and going through chemo buying organic and biodynamic seeds from me.

Why sprouts?

Sprouts are the purest form of "Live" food, nutrition and energy: if you understand the energy and nutrition laying dormant in a seed then you can understand why they are the purest form of live food.

What has been one of the more peculiar requests or discussions you have had at market

None

If you could summarise Frenchs Forest Market in 5 words what would they be

A market for everyone, everywhere

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Our Queen of Sprouts and "Compost Happens" has an incredible story: more than what she has shared with us here.  If you are interested in learning how to make your garden grow organically then why not swing by and have a chat and while you're at it, buy some sprouts, learn about the health benefits and introduce yourselves to "live" food!

Sharing the love with Tanya

How long have been a devotee of Frenchs Forest Markets

I discovered Frenchs Forest Markets about 18 months ago and have been going on and off ever since

What is it for you personally that makes this market so special

I love the variety of special finds: things that you wouldn't stumble across anywhere else that are just so fab that you've gotta go back and get more!

Do have you an absolute must do, can't do without purchase

I love grabbing my dozen fresh eggs each week

Is your weekly shopping expedition a solo occasion or has everyone within your sphere now caught the Frenchs Forest Market bug

I tend to go with my 2.5 year old and 3 month old which is why isn't necessarily a weekly trip for us: they don't make shopping the easiest!

I often bring my mum or my husband along or arrange to meet friends there too

In 5 words, how would you sum up your love of Frenchs Forest Markets

Unique, yummy, healthy, fresh and fun!

egg and goats cheese frittata 

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Massive thank you to Tanya for sharing some of her love of our markets and that photo full of yummies!

It's Ready 2 Plant time!

Love the branding! Always a sucker for great branding!   Did it "present" itself or did it evolve and grow like a good plant should

"Branding"...as a photographer myself I am very conscious of how things are presented.  I also believe our customers deserve an enjoyable shopping experience.... I also have to work all day (at market) so I want to feel like I am at home only on a smaller scale.

The look of the stall has evolved with out products, but I like design and detail.  I did have one customer laugh at me and say " god you are SUCH a frustrated designer"....very true....can't help it!

How long have you been part of the Frenchs Forest market family

I have been at Frenchs Forest markets for over 2 years now.  My sister Joe has been on bard for the last year, and my Mum has been part of the team for the last few months which is absolutely wonderful.

celebrating the 2 year milestone

I get to spend time with my two favourite girls once a week and of course Tom has now been adopted into our family, along with our dear friends Lynn and John.

We have seen your stall grow (literally) where you are now offering an incredible range of fruit/veg/smoothies and more.  What is the singularly best seller at market

Our best seller by far is our Big Green Monster green smoothie which is dairy and gluten free as well as 100% organic.

It all originated from being pregnant with bub number 4, working at the markets and not being able to find anything to eat or drink that was organic: LOTS of fresh organic produce of course (at market) but nothing I could eat/drink straight away...I was STARVING!!

So I created a stall that I can guzzle smoothies, eat yoghurts etc to my hearts content: very selfish really.

Can you enlighten us as to the magic of the green smoothie which is the absolute "rage" at the moment

Green smoothie secrets?  No secret really as we list ALL our ingredients on our menu board.  But the big secret is the rice milk and the frozen banana.

The frozen banana chills the smoothie and gives it that creaminess, and teamed with the rice milk is a real winner.

There were many green smoothies created and drunk before we developed the magical balance which has now a cult following at the market.  Even bub drinks a whole one!

How would you sum up the community spirit at Frenchs Forest Market in one sentence

The market community is my second family: they support, encourage and inspire me to do my very best.

we show you this as by 10am most of it is almost gone!

The market is just as much about the people as it is the wonderful goods on offer: the kindness we have all been shown is humbling.

That's more than one sentence isn't it! 

Well the community at the market deserves more than one sentence....I have met the most special friends at French Forest Market and we value them all sooooo much

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We love you and your team as well!  Your kindness, positive energy and amazing range of organic fruit and veg, smoothies, herbs and more always brightens up Frenchs Forest Market even when the rain gods are not that kind to us

Thank you one and all ......it's that time to say it cause we mean it

Victoria

Stu

Aimee

Meeks

@withintherainbow

@tammyisq

manly beach chick

@melissgab

Kylie