A little thank you for sharing your love

kittyk40

Delightfully Turkish

Ilse

Damian

Spark Agencies

suzusydney

totraveltoo

The River Kitchen talks baking

Baking: we love it, you love it, and your fan base at market loves it!  What was the impetus to bite the bullet, follow your passion and turn that dream in to a reality

I was made redundant after working in IT for a big bank for 10 years and I chose to be a stay at home Dad to spend time with my young boys.  That gave me a lot of time to think about what I would really like to do and also cook for my family.

I have always loved to cook and with the encouragement of my family and friends, I decided to take the leap....and I am very happy that I have. 

The take home soda bread mix is not only a sensational concept but hopefully ignites the creative cook within, after all there is nothing more intoxicating nor inviting than the smell of freshly baked bread.  How long did it take you to perfect the dry recipe to that point of "yep, Granny would be proud"

I did try a few variations and combinations before settling on the current recipe. There was a lot of trial and error and quite a lot of bread baked!

It is amazing to see the difference a slight change in weight or ingredients makes to the finished loaf.  I feel now that I have a product that delivers every time. 

With winter upon us, now is the perfect time to bake your own loaf at home; it not only warms the home but the soul too...plus people are always impressed if you bake your own bread (even with a little help).

What inspires you to create 

I really love to cook and naturally want to try new things.  My Mum is probably my biggest inspiration.  She is constantly sending recipes over for me to try.  I really like to look to the past for ideas and love to make the old new again.

Just recently my home town Dingle (in Ireland) was voted the Top Foodie Town of Ireland 2014...I am very proud and hope to fly the flag for them down here in Sydney.

In a relatively short period of time you have proven to be a hit with both the big and little kids at market.  What is it about market life that appeals and helps you in your quest to provide perfection

The market is a great place for fresh produce and handmade food.  Everyone is passionate about great food and what they are able to create with the amazing produce available in Australia.

The customer gets to meet the producer/maker of the goods and is able to ask questions, which I am more than happy to answer.  I love to meet people and share my passion.

There is also good camaraderie with the other stall holders and I source as much ingredients from them as possible.

How would you sum up the world of The River Kitchen in 5 words

Simple but delicious baked goodness

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And we can personally attest to the deliciousness of EVERYTHING via our Double Bay Market taste-ometer rating which in all honesty has far to many +'s to put in one blog. So our advice is to get down, have a sample of his fantastic range which includes gluten free's, sauces and biscuits, along with the bake it yourself soda bread and we believe that you too will be thoroughly converted and will wonder why you hadn't tried it before!

we simply couldn't NOT include a photo of these babies!

A Celebration of everything that is Slowly Does It Food

Can you give us a brief history as to how "Slowly Does It Food" came in to your life and the process behind the name

"Slowly Does It Food" started out as a packaged food market stall about 4 years ago. The name related to the type of food I cooked and packaged (ie: slow cooked stews, lamb shanks and french daubes) and also to the more general food philosophy promoted by the "slow food movement".

Slow food is about preserving food traditions and promoting agricultural sustainability, bio-diversity, small producers and endangered foods.

Just over 2 years ago I transformed the business to an online food market selling organic fruit & veg, grass fed meats, fresh fish and an ever increasing amount of pantry produce and deli items.

I felt the name "Slowly Does It Food" represented the food ethos of the online shop so I kept it!  

Slow food rules!

While you have only recently joined us at Double Bay, you are incredibly well entrenched at our Kings Cross Market (and an insanely popular stallie at that!).  What has been the biggest trend for your stall that you have noticed so far?

I would say definitely the biggest growth is with my more senior clientele.  The amount of times people tell me that that "this apple" or "that tomato" reminds them of the fruit and vegetables from their childhood has made me realise that we are starting to come full circle with food production.

I genuinely believe more and more people simply want food that has been grown naturally and more importantly, tastes better.

Do you think that there has been a noticeable change in the way consumers shop where opting to shop for organic produce at a market rather than smash-and-grab in a supermarket?

People are definitely more aware that supermarkets put the squeeze on producers & growers making it very hard for them to have a decent income and produce good flavoursome produce.

Generally I hear customers commenting that organic produce offered at supermarkets is of poor quality and range.

My own theory, for what it's worth, is that it is not in the interest of the supermarkets to promote good quality organic produce over conventional sprayed produce.

Spray produce has a longer shelf life, is easier to produce and transport and has a more consistent appearance, so why would supermarkets want people to buy organic produce?  Just a theory....

What has been the largest amount of any item you have sold in one day?

Kale!  We take 60 bunches of the freshest kale to Market every week, and 3 varieties at that.  Along with English Spinach and Silverbeet.  We sell over 100 bunches of fresh greens every week and can only see that increasing with Double Bay Market now being part of our Slowly Does It Food world.

Having said that, we noticed a pretty good flow of "have you got any garlic" from our Double Bay'ites so the race is officially on!

In 5 words, why should people buy organic, more especially, buy their organic fare from Slowly Does It Food?

Vegetables taste better from Bob

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And yes they do!  Huge thanks to Bob for sharing a bit of what makes Slowly Does It Food an absolute must-buy-from favourite amongst the Double Bay Market community

Thank to all quarters

As not everyone on the planet shares their love via stgram land, we felt it was 100% overdue to do a thank you to those who share their Double Bay Market love via other social media outlets!

It makes us proud to see these comments flowing in, and trust us, hand on heart, without a word of a lie, the stallies MORE than love to see them too!

So to all our shoppers, our fans and everyone else out in Double Bay Market land we say THANK YOUUU.

5 questions with Janine the Flower Queen of Carla Florist

From its beginnings in a little locale to now a permanent fave within the local business community and beyond.  When did Carla Florist first make her debut in Double Bay and what is it that makes her such a long term and much loved icon

We began Carla Florist in 1980.  It had already been trading for 10 years in Bellevue Hill and we started in Double Bay Village in 1980, moved shop a few times, but we are now back on Bay Village...33 years trading! 

I love Double Bay - it is becoming exciting again with all its new developments.

With the incredible amount of huge social events you cater for (eg: Race Day, Weddings etc), you always seem to maintain the balance where you will be at market, have a somewhat "organised chaos" behind the scenes, yet for the customer nothing is every too much trouble.  How difficult is it to maintain that balance

It's not really difficult to maintain the balance as we all enjoy working with flowers: every day is different.

For every season there is always THE perfect bloom.  What would be your best seller or most popular

The most popular flowers throughout the year are tulips, roses (all varieties including garden roses to glasshouse roses to David Austin roses - each variety has a speciality whether it be scent or the formation of bloom), peonies and gardenias.

Does Carla Florist have an all time number one fave can't wait for it come in to season bloom or is that a trade secret!

No all time favourite flowers - we get excited and look forward to the next variety coming into season

How would you sum up the world of Carla Florist in 5 words

Creative

Abundant

Romantic

Luscious

Artistic

CARLA

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We love being part of the Double Bay community especially when we have such an iconic "institution" such as Carla Florist as a stallholder at our market every week.  Help us with our  mantra which is "buy local" cause not only do you give back to the community, you are supporting local businesses every time you shop at our market!

5 Questions with Gourmandise de Paris

Since your start at Double Bay Markets, you have gained an incredibly large and loyal fan base.  As relative "newbies" how has this reaction been 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 been to Double Bay Markets, how would you sum up the fabulousness of it to them

Double Bay Market has a lot to offer from things for the kids to do (jumping castles and baby animal farm), 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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Trust us when we say you too will fall head over heels in love with Gourmandise de Paris and like everyone before you, the queue will be calm for the die-hards know, their patience will be rewarded above and beyond.  Every Thursday rain, hail or shine these wonderful people are at our market so...the rest is up to you! 

5 Questions with Pastry Ninja

How did Pastry Ninja come in to being

Pastry Ninja came about in 2008. I had just moved into a property a few doors down from Marrickville Market in Addison Road.  This was the beginning.

Once I saw the market I wanted to become part of it!

The name was thought out on a rainy day, sitting at home mid July 2008.

I had a few names on paper and someone just commented about me working like a Ninja and that was that...Pastry Ninja was born.

You have "just the right size" in the tartlettes where for it would be a "get your own. THIS is mine!".  Was this a deliberate choice or was it more of a learning from the customer type evolution

Yes the tart size are just the right size.

Melissa and I just both chose the same tart case to go with it. But yes, we were thinking it was the perfect size for one (person)

What would be your best seller at market

The best seller is definitely the Lemon Meringue Pie

Now firm faves amongst the Double Bay Market community, what role does market life take in the life of the Pastry Ninja

Market life is our life.  We participate in 6 markets around Sydney every week.  So right now it is 100% of Pastry Ninja's life.....well maybe 99%

How would you sum up life at Double Bay Market in 5 words

Charming, relaxing, Jim (manager), quaint, romantic

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Having personally tasted just about every item the Ninja's have on offer we can attest to their yumminess and more importantly suggest you get yourselves to Double Bay Market to sample some yourselves. 

The Pastry Ninja can also be found at our Frenchs Forest Market (Sundays) and our Marrickville Markets (Sundays) so no excuse not to seek them out!

Brasserie Bread a blog with a difference

The institution known as Brasserie Bread with its infamous Jess at the helm.  This piece will contain photos, some important information from the Bakery and a pinch of our input...a little something that's just a little bit different but a whole lotta Double Bay.

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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Rain, hail or shine Jess is at market and set up in a flash for he knows his every loyal customers will be there as they race by on their way to work, or come to pick up an order placed the week previously.  With seriously yummies such as

and this

is it any wonder he is popular with young and old alike!

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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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Do Brasserie Bread deliver to market sites or does the stallie collect from the bakery (which would then mean an extra early start for the stallies for sure!)

They pick up from our Banksmeadow Bakery

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Which then puts Jess in to the "legend" status given the need to not only get to the bakery for pick up but get back to market and have stall set up before start of trade! HUGE by anyone's standards.

And as such, he deserves a legendary photo so we now present to you the man behind the Double Bay Market Brasserie Bread.......

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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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Massive thank you to Brasserie Bread for giving us a little bit of artisan insight and whatever you do, make sure you swing by Double Bay Market to sample their award winning bread and maybe pick up a couple more items "just in case".