From Silvia - Gluten Free Cuisine

Gluten Free Cuisine has been a part of (and more importantly) a firm favourite of our markets for many years.  What first inspired you to start experimenting with recipes that were gluten free but still yummy at the same time

My daughter was diagnosed with an intolerance to preservatives, all those years ago now, and we began a journey of creating "loved" foods with NO added preservatives (or "no numbers" as we like to put it), thickeners or additives.  With a background in research, it was not long before we recognised there was a need for great tasting QUALITY foods that could be made readily available to the many with special dietary requirements, intolerances, or simply wanted to eat well with and enjoying great tasting foods!

You have a few "signature" pieces (eg: lemon meringue pie being top of the pops).  As you do 3 of our markets (Hornsby on Thursdays, Orange Grove on Saturdays and Frenchs Forest on Sundays), is there a particular favourite per location or are they as equally popular no matter which postcode you are at

Good question!  We seem to sell across the range pretty much throughout the year at every market we do.  Over the years we have built a fantastic relationship with our customers and we are a weekly "one stop shop" for many - across our Freshly Baked Artisan Organic Breads (all soy free, dairy free, canola free, animal fat free)

Savoury offerings such as Handmade Fresh Pasta, Classic Pesto and of course our Sweet Treats.

Actually our range has evolved based on our customer waitlist, including more dairy free options, larger celebration cakes and the latest offerings are our NUT FREE Organic Banana Bread & Cookies: All Gluten Free!

There is no denying market life can be trying at times, particularly when the weather doesn't play nicely; yet you are always there with a smile, rain, hail or shine, which not only do we appreciate but we KNOW your customers do as well.  What has been one of the more memorable experiences of market life for you

We have so many memorable moments & experiences: all so special in their own ways. We received a text from a customer just before Easter last year saying his wife was going in to labour and had requested our GF (gluten free) DF (dairy free) Hot Cross Buns and please save him one, he was on the way!

Over the years, it has been our privilege to be part of families as they prepare to welcome precious new borns with weekly Lamingtons to help them on the way, then of course we get to create Special Celebration Cakes.  

We have created Signature Wedding Cakes and  that Special Birthday Cake for the 90 years young whose special request is the Lemon Meringue (of course!), and for it to be large enough for her 90 guests!!!

We get called upon for that Bespoke Catering that meets special dietary requirements and more frequently provide GF (gluten free) WF (wheat free) NF (nut free) treats for the school lunch boxes!

From your personal stance, what is it about markets like ours that play a pivotal role in the local community

We love that our customers are able to purchase products from us that are literally hours from leaving the oven.  It is so special to get to know our customers who eat our food, to hear their stories, their sincere appreciation for what we make and to know we can really make a difference.  Our customers in turn love to hear our stories too.

The pivotal role in the local community (as you put it) is that markets provide for that quintessential experience of what nurtures people socially, and communities economically and all this whilst providing produce straight from the producers.

How would you sum up the world of Gluten Free Cuisine in 5 words

Dedicated Gluten Free for Everyone!

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Fantastic story behind a firmly entrenched, much loved and ever evolving producer of all things Gluten Free.  Swing by and say a massive "Hi" to Sylvia and her team every Sunday and trust us, from what we have seen..the sweet treats are getting more delicious by the week!

Singing Bowls and their powerful connection

When did Singing Bowl first come in to your life

When Anup and I were visiting family in Nepal we were walking up a mountain and came across a man playing singing bowls on the side of the road.  The sound surrounded and it felt like it came from far away.  We were mesmerised and knew we had to start bringing them back to Australia so share with more people.

Anup then had the idea of creating a global meditation for peace & harmony, with everyone raising their vibrational frequency by playing singing bowls.  This led to the need to share them with people and provide a better understanding and experience: so we started exhibiting at markets and festivals so more people could have this chance.

Each bowl has certain properties and purposes: why is that

Our bodies are affected by sounds and vibrations in different ways.  Some bowls have a high pitched sound: this is good for clearing energy in a room because the sound will cut through any dense energy trapped in the space.

The medium sounds have a soothing clear tone and are good for meditation or promoting good sleep as the sound is clear & focussed allowing your mind to be still and present.  The sound is usually deeper so it has a calming effect on the body as well as giving you a chance to become centered and relaxed.

The deeper vibrational bowls (which are usually beaten by hand) have a healing effect on the body: when we experience a lot of vibration, the properties of this particular bowl raises our own body's vibrational frequency and in turn allows us to heal better. In addition to this, the deep vibration is a wonderful form of massage (relaxing the muscle and joints) and can be used in Reiki and other energy therapies, as the vibration shifts blocked energies through the chakras.

What has been the reaction from folk who may have the "oh yeah...I've seen these things somewhere but never knew what they were about" vs those who are already in-tune with the bowls properties and purposes

I think ultimately everyone gets the same experience.  By "same" I mean that individual totally unique experiences you from tuning into your own self and centre. Whether you know much about them or only a little, the ultimate gain about singing bowls is the "in the moment" experience you have when you are playing them.

Some experience deep relaxation; some feel elated or enlightened...like they had a moment to forget their worries and stressors; others feel confronted because the sound is bringing up past wounds that need healing (which is a good thing if you are ready to heal) ;and for some, they feel like they are coming home: like they are being understood, especially when they find the tone that really connects to them. 

We all have our onset of frequencies that resonate with our body more than others. It really is a great feeling when you find that one which is "yours".

You are now a well entrenched and much loved stallie at Frenchs Forest Market.  How has market life impacted on you both personally and professionally

We love the markets because it's a way to bring ourselves and our business to people. Singing Bowls is a product that needs to be experienced in the holistic sense (as opposed to viewing in a photo) and  most specially in an environment where people are looking for new things to encounter. 

Frenchs Forest Market has such a lovely community atmosphere and people are interested in better health and wellbeing.  Personally, I love the wonderful friends I have made over the years and the comradery amongst the stallholders.

I also love the food: it would have to be the best food market that I know!  It is also a market where we have met many of our long term and much loved customers, and get to hear their lovely singing bowl stories!

If you could sum up the beauty that is known as Singing Bowls in 5 words, what would they be

Connection

Peacefulness

Sharing Experiences

Healing

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Could not have summed it up better ourselves.  We thank Anup & Brinley for sharing just a little of their story with us but more so for showing us how to connect with ourselves with the simple tone of a beautiful singing bowl which can bring peace & harmony to our ever increasingly frantic external world.

Dick Plumb's Pasties!

Dick Plumb's Cornish Pasty Co.  Can you give us a brief history of how pasties came to play such a pivotal role in your life and when the concept of having a market stall became and reality and why

Firstly, I LOVE CORNISH PASTIES!!!

My family moved from London to Cornwall when I was 2 years old, so I grew up surrounded by the Cornish Pasty culture.  The Cornish people are fiercely proud of their Celtic heritage and the pasty plays a vital role in defining their "independence" from England.

I wanted to start selling Cornish Pasties here in Australia since my very first visit back in 1998, but I had to be patient.  Here we are, 15 years later, and I've made my dream a reality.  I made the decision to leave my corporate job and follow my passion in July last year (2013) and I've never looked back!

We see you are a member of the Cornish Association of NSW, moreover for doing a "Proper Job"!  No mean feat!  What credentials does one need in order to be recognised by this most austere Association and how long did it take you to attain said "ober da"

I approached the Cornish Association of NSW as I wanted to add authenticity to my product.  If I was going to do it, I needed to do it right and there are very poor limitations of this wonderful food item available here - I need to distinguish myself from those immediately, not just relying on taste!

In Europe the Cornish Pasty enjoys geographical protection status which means unless it has the original ingredients of Skirt Steak, Potato, Swede and Onion AND is made in Cornwall then it cannot bear the name "Cornish" pasty.

The President and Secretary (Chris & Joy Dunkerley) came to my stall, took half a dozen away for their ladies to try and the results was a 'YES' to it being an authentic product: Proper Job (Ober Da) as the Cornish say.

They critiqued every aspect of it and although it was mentioned that there were a few aspects that could be improved upon, it did meet all the criteria needed and I was given a thumbs up from everyone on the panel.  It was my first attempt too!  They presented me with my certificate the following week.

Since starting at market, you have literally smashed it out the door which is sensational positive reinforcement for you.  How did you first find us and what is the greatest number of pasties you have sold at one market.

I have always known of Frenchs Forest Market and indeed the other markets run by OFM and had been in contact with them several months prior to my starting.  Timing is everything I guess, so I had to be patient and work on my product before presenting it to such a cultured food audience.

The most I have every sold at one market to date is 150!

We are guessing there is a secret recipe for these beauties and your dedicated fans attest to their above and beyond taste sensation.  What is it about market life that keeps you grounded.

There really isn't any secret to the humble Cornish Pasty - it just takes the correct ingredients and a whole lot of love to make a delicious one!

I love market life.  It really has a community feel and I and my product have been welcomed with open arms.  I already have a dedicated following of repeat customers from the very young to the very experienced and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for my fledgling company.

How would you sum up the world of Dick Plumb's Cornish Pasty Co. in 5 words

I'll give you just 3 words: 

Heritage

Authenticity

Taste

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So if you haven't already, we strongly urge you to wrap your laughing gear around one of these heavenly creatures and when you do....we reckon you might become part of the Cornish Pasty world!

Huge thanks to Dick for sharing some time with us, but more importantly for being a firm fave stallie at our markets!

ps: for those Inner Westies, Dick is now at Orange Grove Market so don't be a stranger AND you can keep up with his goings on "here".  

Eat Me Chutneys

What's the story behind the delicious Eat Me Chutneys

Eat Me Chutneys is a mother (Jaya The Amazing Chutney Queen) and son (Ankit The Annoying French Trained Chef) team.

Jaya: enjoying meals with family and friends, sitting around the table, discussing food and exchanging recipes has been followed through generations in our family - jazzing up the meal with chutneys and pickles just made the whole environment is so exciting - the sounds of Ooh, Ahh, Yumm! just used to fill the air.

Ankit: so one night we suggested that Mum should share her phenomenal recipes with the Sydney community and start at a farmers market and I could throw my French training to it. And so the socially good jars were born embodied by the thought of doing well for the community, supporting local farmers and of course sharing some lip smacking chutneys and pickles along the way.

Jaya:  preservation has been the essence of lour life - grandmothers used to plan, all the kids helped in cleaning and preparing vegetables, mums and aunties helping in sterilising and the cooking process.  Grandmas keeping a close eye - no one was allowed to touch their hair or face or scratch their noses.  It was a very clean process.  

These were the pleasures of living in an extended family: we ate together, played together, cleaned together, preserved together and laughed together.  Preservation is the key to bringing families and communities together.  It brings out the sharing, caring and social abilities in people.  This is what I saw growing up in my extended family.

Ankit: ah the name....well whenever I open the fridge and see a jar of tamarind chutney, the jar literally stares back at me and yells out "don't just stare at me...Eat Me".

Your range is incredibly with literally one to suit every taste (and even the non-chutney'ers now being converts!) with the most amazing achievement being the first Certified Fair Trade Chutneys to be had in Australia & New Zealand.  Having this mantle must not only be incredibly satisfying but the ultimate positive reinforcement that you have a good product!  How did this come about

Jaya: the story continues....we were born out of the that we want to be socially good jars first and business second.  As children living in an extended family we saw our parents and grandparents supporting our less fortunate relatives and paying fees for children in our neighbourhood.  We grew up with very strong morals, empathy and giving and helping others was instilled in us right from a very young age and so couldn't view the world any differently.

Ankit: using Fair Trade ingredients just seemed right as we support and communicate directly with the farmers/cooperatives.  Our chutneys are the first and only Fair Trade certified chutneys across Australia and New Zealand.

Jaya: understanding the ethos and workings of Fair Trade, understanding the Fair Trade supply chain, the right suppliers, ensuring a proper audit mechanism is in place, made the process challenging but the Fair Trade team were ever so helpful. However, knowing our decision would eventually help a farmer across the world made it all the more rewarding.  Sure, the costs go up, but the joy of supporting someone out there, who really deserves it, is extremely satisfying.

The Fair Trade logo will shine on our jars very soon!

Your start at Frenchs Forest Market was spectacular and seems to be going from strength to strength.  What is is about market life that keeps it tangible for you

Jaya: preservation and living in tribes evokes deep rooted, almost primeval feelings of self-sufficiency and survival, of gatherer and hunter, of community and societal bond, for this is how our ancestors stayed alive.

I've only ever taught primary school children all my life.  The thought of running a business was daunting enough but being in the public eye was just a crazy thought at first.  But right from our very first market, the amazing feeling of family has made us feel so welcome.

We've made great friends with our customers and other stallies with whom we barter our jars for food.  The great feedback from people at Frenchs Forest has given us such an incentive that now our profile includes a range of unique pickles and chutneys.  

And we will soon be introducing two Christmas chutneys!!! YAY!!!

Do you have a personal favourite amongst your chutneys and why

Jaya:  oh gosh...where do I start!  My personal favourite is the tamarind and fig as it brings back the happy old memories of fun times, eating together as a big family. Move aside honey soy chicken wings and welcome tamarind chicken wings - perfect for a quick BBQ meal to feed 3 boys in the family.  

And to look at (of course it tastes amazing too..especially with a bowl of vanilla ice cream) is rhubarb and ginger.

Its amazing rich colour just brightens my day and is a mighty fine and funky addition to toasted granola, yoghurt and fresh fruit.  But my new favourite could just become the Christmas chutney....it's coming sooon!

Ankit: my absolute personal favourite is eggplant pickle - works a treat on anything. No lunch in the fridge?  No worries!  I just boil some rice and mix in the eggplant pickle.  Done!  Bread, ham slices, eggplant pickle and happy me!

As a stallie, what is it about markets like Frenchs Forest, that form an important part of the local foodie community

Jaya: the farmers market is just a fantastic concept.  It's like running a big social enterprise where everyone involved is benefiting from it.  The farmers are able to get the right price for their hard work and the consumers are happy to get organic and other fresh produce.  There is a lot of honest and good sharing of information by the stallies on how they source their ingredients, where their farms are, their secret recipes, but above all a lot of appreciation and respect for what each one is doing.

Ankit: and Mum has made very good friends with Peter & Stephanie, a lovely couple who live down the road from the markets.  They enjoy pickling too and are always giving us samples of their experiments, advising us on different flavour combinations and sharing their recipes.

Jaya:  there is so much to learn at these markets, especially different ranges of foods which may not be generally available outside (a market environment).  You can hear a lot of talk about healthy eating, cooking ideas, recycling, food wastage - so much to learn.

It's very encouraging to see more and more people becoming part of the foodie community at the markets.

Go Team Markets!

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Insightful and enlightening and with interviews like this, we love learning just that little bit more about our stallies.

Massive thank you to Jaya & Ankit for letting us share just a little bit of their chutney world and if you're a fan as we are, we are SO looking forward to seeing these mysterious Christmas chutneys!

Audrey talks Gourmandise de Paris

From ham & cheese crêpes or galette to mouth watering quiches, Gourmandise de Paris now has an almost ritualistic following where it's a Sunday "must have". How satisfying is this for you

I am absolutely thrilled with it.  To start with it wasn't easy but as people got to know us and us working incredibly hard at providing good products, we are really proud of what we have achieved since starting.

How long does it take to set up stall each market

All up it takes about an hour

With samples, come smiles and with smiles which in turn results in purchases...as a chef how does that make you feel

Everyone who tastes our products really enjoy them. We've had people tell us that they love it and want to know more about how we make them and are above surprised when they learn that I am the chef!

You have created little corner of Paris that seems to draw people in.  Was this deliberately planned or did it come from observing customers seeking somewhere to sit and truly enjoy your French culinary creations

It just simply seemed to "fit" with what we were wanting to do.  Because some of our food is not take away, and needs plates and cutlery, it seemed a shame to not have a nice place to sit, chill, enjoy and eat.

For anyone who has NOT yet found Frenchs Forest Market, how would you sum up the fabulousness of it to them

Frenchs Forest Market has a lot to offer from things for the kids to do (jumping castles, dancing to the music, trying new foods), really nice fresh fruit and vegetable, cheeses and of course some FABULOUS French food.  For me it's interesting, it's friendly and it's relaxing.

To anyone who hasn't been yet, I would absolutely recommend that they come, have a look and enjoy it!

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We thank Audrey and her amazing team giving us a little French Quarter every Sunday and if you haven't found them yet the clue is in the "Quarter".  

So find them, take a load off, eat some sensationally amazing French cuisine and simply enjoy "being".

We looooove it!

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Belinda and Olive Tree Providores

What initially drew you in to the world that is now known as Olive Tree Providores

I decided my passion for food and healthy lifestyle could also be a business that supported local farmers.

Olive oil also has amazing health benefits and Australia produces some of the world's best, so Olive Oil Providores was born out of a love of local food and a boredom with the conventional corporate business principles.

Why markets?

Because they are the best place to meet our customers and build a relationship with them.  I also detest the major supermarket manipulation of local farmers and growers, so I was keen to support an alternate place for growers to sell and market their produce.

Obviously market shoppers attend for varying reasons including promoting the Buy Australian mantra.  What other ways do you think this message can be given either overtly or by other means

We should encourage our friends and family to shop from sustainable and environmentally sound sources.  Big corporate supermarkets are none of those.  We simply have to encourage everyone we (personally) know to shop locally for fresh healthy food and by doing that we automatically help farmers build and maintain a sustainable business.

The more we enthuse the principle, the more it will happen and the more we protect our environment.

Do you have any new additions on the horizon that we can look forward to

Yes, we are about to launch a whole new range which we are very excited about which should be ready by Christmas.  The new range takes the "shop local" to an  entirely new level......so stay tuned!!!!

it ain't new but it's so yummy we simply could not NOT include it

What 5 words would you use to encourage conversion to not only organic but more importantly to buy Australian

Future proofing a sustainable future for all  (a little more than 5 words) plus it's a fantastic place to meet really friendly people!

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And on that note we thank Belinda, not only for having an amazing range of oils, soaps and dukka each week at market, but more importantly her determination to encourage everyone (and by that we mean everyone!) to shop and buy local 

5 minutes with Aimee

When did you first discover Frenchs Forest Market and what is it that keeps you coming back

I first discovered Frenchs Forest Market when I moved over from Perth.  As a Health Coach it is important for both myself and my clients to have access to fresh, high quality organic produce and to follow the pathway from farm to market.

I especially love the atmosphere, the community spirit and the coming together of people who truly care about what they are putting into their bodies.  

I also appreciate the time, effort and love that all the stallholders express each week. Their smiles, knowledge and eagerness to share their produce with customers is awesome.

Can you describe in layman's terms the definitions of "super food", "living food" and "super herbs" and how they can play a pivotal role in our overall wellbeing

Superfoods are foods that pack an extra nutritional punch.  They have a dozen or more distinguishing qualities that give them magical qualities and an ability to nourish us at a deeper level.  These are foods that supercharge our health.

Living foods are foods in their natural unprocessed, unheated from.  Foods of the Earth, that are not cooked,  modified or nutritionally deficient through processing.

Living (or raw) foods are foods the way nature intended.  When we increase our intake of these foods, we too become more alive - our ability to digest and process our foods is enhanced, because we're eating our food the way nature intended.  Living food include fruits, vegetables, grasses, seeds, sea vegetables, nuts and sprouts.

Superherbs are plants that are safe to take as a tonic, to help us maintain and prevent disease.  No longer do we need to wait until we get ill to "fix" the problem.  By incorporating Superherbs into our daily diet, by taking medicine as food, we are able to ensure we never get sick.

If you had to choose a particular stall that you simply can't not go by without purchasing something, which would it be and why

My favourite stall is Superfeast.  It is the one stop Superfood shop!

Mason Tyler has a wealth of knowledge in regards to Superfoods, Superherbs and Living Foods and is always happy to answer any questions related to health and wellbeing.

From your point of view, why is it essential for markets such as Frenchs Forest to keep on keeping on

Markets such as Frenchs Forest help consumers maintain a true connection to the land. They allow children to see where food comes from, how it's grown and how it should look, with the absence of artificial lighting, bright packaging and fancy marketing.

Markets also help farmers to discover what their customers are looking for and provide them with cheaper prices as they are dealing without the middle man.

It's a win/win.  It also keeps large industries from being able to monopolise our food supply.

If you could sum up the overall experience of not only shopping at Frenchs Forest but also making it a constant in our lives in on paragraph, what would it be

A day spent at Frenchs Forest Market is the best Sunday ever.  With such a variety of produce to experiment with, amazing people to visit and friendly faces to chat with, it is one of the best ways I like to spend my weekend.  I always come home with my staples: biodynamic berries, raw honey, superfoods, kombucha, freshly picked mushrooms, fresh organic produce and something else I didn't expect to buy!

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And with that we say thank you to Aimee for not only sharing some of her love, but also explaining the "mystery" behind the Superfood, Living Food, Superherbs.  Keep your eyes open cause we will be doing a feature with Aimee very soon which will go in to more detail about these and so much more!

Sharing the love with Larissa

When did you first discover the delights of Frenchs Forest Markets

I decided that I had to visit it the first time about a year ago after seeing all the delights of everyone and their green smoothies on instagram

Your food photography and recipes look sensational! Do you try to use as much organic produce as possible when cooking

Thank you!  I'll admit it's hard to always get your hands on organic produce but I do whenever I can and you can really taste the difference.

Plus it's rewarding to know that you are supporting the organic farmers when you purchase from them, it makes it a bit more personal.

What is one staple that you simply MUST get each market

A good bunch of spinach - I won't go a week without eating it

Has your love of cooking and shopping at Frenchs Forest Markets infiltrated the lives of all those around you

There's nothing better than getting your hands on fresh ingredients to cook up a healthy, nourishing feast for a bunch of people you love

In 5 words how would you encourage those who have yet to be converted to organic produce to do so post haste

Not really 5 words, but one of my favourite quotes from a wonderful journalist Michael Pollan "Eat from a plant, not food made in a plant"

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Huge muchos to Larissa for sharing a bit of love of not only cooking and photography, but her time with us, and if you would like to see more of her beautiful culinary creations simply click "here"

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!